Design Hotels in Cambridge, UK
Updated 4 July 2026 · 60 real hotels
Cambridge blends centuries of academic architecture with a growing offer of polished, design-conscious accommodation. Standout addresses range from the curated Wilde Cambridge in the city centre to the Hilton Curio Collection property in Chesterton and the Citystay Living houses across residential neighbourhoods. Whether you prioritise location, space or character, the city has a carefully considered option at most price points.
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Cambridge is a city where the built environment is taken seriously. The same attention paid to the college chapels and riverside gardens carries through into a handful of hotels and serviced properties that treat interiors as a deliberate choice rather than an afterthought. Travellers looking for rooms that feel considered, rather than generic, will find a spread of options from the compact historic core out into the quieter residential districts and beyond to the market town of Waterbeach.
The strongest city-centre proposition is Wilde Cambridge City Centre, a 4-star aparthotel positioned in the heart of Cambridge, rated 4.8/5 by guests and priced from around 256 EUR per night. Its central location makes it a natural base for the Fitzwilliam Museum, King's Parade and the university's public buildings. For travellers who prefer a residential setting with more space, the Citystay Living portfolio offers a trio of well-reviewed houses: Finch House in Cherry Hinton (3.5 stars, 188 EUR, perfect 5/5 score), Hinton House in Coleridge (4 stars, 179 EUR, 5/5) and The Dales in Petersfield (3.5 stars, 236 EUR, 4.8/5), each combining apartment-style living with a consistent standard of finish. Over in Chesterton, The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton (4 stars, 247 EUR, 4.7/5) brings the curatorial sensibility of Hilton's Curio brand to a neighbourhood just north of the river. Those willing to travel slightly outside the city centre will find The Old School House Rooms in Waterbeach (3.5 stars, 140 EUR, 4.9/5) a characterful alternative, housed in a converted Victorian school building, and the Woodpecker holiday rental (3 stars, 227 EUR, 5/5) offering a distinctive self-catering experience. For budget-conscious visitors who still want reliability, the Holiday Inn Express Cambridge West Cambourne (3 stars, 98 EUR, 4.7/5) provides a clean, consistent base on the western edge of the city.
Our selection in Cambridge
| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citystay Living - Finch House ★★★★ | Cherry Hinton | ★ 5 | 177 €/nuit |
| Citystay Living - Hinton House ★★★★ | Coleridge | ★ 5 | 179 €/nuit |
| The Old School House Rooms ★★★★ | Waterbeach | ★ 4.9 | 140 €/nuit |
| Wilde Cambridge City Centre ★★★★ | Centre-ville de Cambridge | ★ 4.8 | 245 €/nuit |
| Premier Inn Cambridge City Centre ★★ | Centre-ville de Cambridge | ★ 4.8 | 225 €/nuit |
| The Fellows House Mews ★★★★ | Chesterton | ★ 4.8 | 254 €/nuit |
| Citystay Living - The Dales ★★★★ | Petersfield | ★ 4.8 | 236 €/nuit |
| Crown & Punchbowl ★★★★ | Horningsea | ★ 4.8 | 130 €/nuit |
| Holiday Inn Express Cambridge West Cambourne by IHG ★★★ | Cambourne | ★ 4.7 | 146 €/nuit |
| The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton ★★★★ | Chesterton | ★ 4.7 | 284 €/nuit |
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel in Cambridge is best placed for sightseeing and has a polished, design-led feel?+
Wilde Cambridge City Centre is the most centrally located option among the stylish addresses in this list. Rated 4.8/5 and sitting in the city-centre district, it puts King's College, the Fitzwilliam Museum and the market square within easy walking distance. Its 4-star aparthotel format means rooms are planned with purpose rather than filled incidentally.
Are there any characterful, design-conscious options outside the Cambridge city centre?+
Yes. The Old School House Rooms in Waterbeach occupies a converted Victorian school building, giving it genuine architectural character that purpose-built hotels rarely match. It holds a 4.9/5 guest rating and is priced from around 140 EUR per night, making it one of the more accessible options on this list. The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton in Chesterton is another strong choice just north of the river, with a 4-star standing and a 4.7/5 score.
What are the Citystay Living properties in Cambridge, and how do they compare?+
Citystay Living operates three residential-style houses across Cambridge: Finch House in Cherry Hinton (3.5 stars, 188 EUR, 5/5), Hinton House in Coleridge (4 stars, 179 EUR, 5/5) and The Dales in Petersfield (3.5 stars, 236 EUR, 4.8/5). All three share perfect or near-perfect guest scores, suggesting a consistent level of quality. Hinton House offers the strongest combination of star rating and price among the three, while The Dales commands a premium that likely reflects size or finish.
Is there a budget-friendly option in Cambridge for travellers who want a reliable, well-rated stay?+
The Holiday Inn Express Cambridge West Cambourne is the most affordable property on this list at around 98 EUR per night, with a solid 4.7/5 guest rating. It sits in Cambourne on the western edge of the Cambridge area, so it suits travellers with a car or those visiting businesses and science parks in that corridor rather than those focused purely on the historic centre.