The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and contemporary apartment-style hotel experience in the historic city of Cambridge. Praised for its unique design and exceptional service, it blends modern comforts with a nod to Cambridge University's esteemed fellows.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Fellows House generally garners excellent reviews, with an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 on Booking.com from over 1,900 reviews, and a 4.6 out of 5 on Trip Advisor. Guests frequently describe the atmosphere as "cozy and luxurious," highlighting "impeccable service" as a standout feature.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel for several key aspects:

• Service & Staff: The hospitality is a major draw, with staff described as "impeccable," "friendly and helpful," "attentive & professional," and "well trained." Many reviewers praise staff for going above and beyond to assist guests.
• Design & Vibe: The hotel's interior is a harmonious blend of modern contemporary design with timeless elegance, heavily inspired by famous Cambridge University fellows. The public spaces feature classy, yet quirky decor, and are thoughtfully differentiated despite an open-plan layout. The wonderful artwork throughout the hotel contributes to a lovely ambiance.
• Amenities: The Fellows House offers a comprehensive range of facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, fitness center, and a sun terrace. Many rooms come with fully equipped kitchens, making it ideal for longer stays or families. Complimentary bicycles and billiards are also available. On-site private parking with EV charging stations is a valuable convenience.
• Comfort: Rooms are consistently noted for being comfortable, clean, and spacious, often featuring plush bedding and blackout curtains to ensure a restful sleep.

3. Room Quality

The hotel offers 163 rooms across various categories, including standard rooms, king studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, and duplex suites, many individually named after notable Cambridge Fellows.

• Features: Accommodations are air-conditioned and include private bathrooms, tea and coffee makers, refrigerators, and complimentary toiletries from The White Company's 'Noir' range. Suites and apartments are particularly well-equipped with full kitchens, often including a dishwasher, fridge, toaster, microwave, and hob, alongside separate living and sleeping areas.
• Comfort & Design: Rooms boast modern furnishings, plush bedding, flat-screen televisions, bathrobes, and hair dryers. Bathrooms are described as stylish, clean, and spacious, though some guests have noted slightly lower shower pressure. Comfortable beds with a choice of pillow types contribute to a pleasant stay.

4. Dining Experience

The Fellows House offers diverse dining options:

• The Folio Bar and Kitchen: This on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on British and local cuisines with a significant emphasis on vegetarian and plant-based dishes. They have also recently introduced a modern afternoon tea service with creative fillings.
• The Sage of Cambridge: A café, deli, and wine bar located at the front of the hotel, perfect for artisan coffee, healthy treats, and light bites.
• Breakfast: Highly rated by guests, scoring 8.6 on Booking.com. It's served buffet-style and features a wide selection, including hot dishes, fresh pastries, pancakes, freshly squeezed orange juice, smoothies, and various vegan milk options. Guests can also order eggs and waffles made to order.
• Room Service: Available for guests desiring to dine in the comfort of their rooms.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Fellows House are consistently highlighted as exceptional. Reviews frequently use terms like "impeccable," "friendly," "helpful," "attentive," "professional," and "well trained." Guests appreciate the staff's willingness to go out of their way to accommodate requests and their skill in resolving any issues that arise.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel is situated in a residential area, approximately 1.2 miles (a 20-minute walk) from the University of Cambridge and the city center.

• Neighborhood: Its location slightly outside the bustling city center is seen by many as a benefit, as it avoids traffic and offers a quieter environment.
• Attractions: The Fellows House is within walking distance of Jesus Green (5-10 minutes), the River Cam (perfect for punting), St John's College, and other iconic Cambridge colleges. The market square and main shopping areas are also easily accessible on foot.
• Transport: On-site private parking is available for £24 per 24 hours, with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations provided. The hotel also offers complimentary bicycles for guests to explore the city.

7. Value & Pricing

The Fellows House is generally considered to offer good value for money, especially given the high standard of the hotel and the spacious, often apartment-style, accommodations. While the average room rate can be around $259 (or £135.98 GBP in the past month), which is higher than the city average, it is seen as "affordable luxury". Prices fluctuate, with deals sometimes available from £75. Weekday stays, particularly Wednesday and Thursday, are typically more economical, while Saturdays tend to be the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Parking Cost: The £24 per 24 hours charge for on-site parking is a frequent point of complaint among visitors.
• Pool Size: The indoor swimming pool, while a popular amenity, is often described as "skinny" and better suited for relaxation rather than serious lap swimming.
• Room Temperature Control: Some guests have reported issues with the air conditioning, noting it can be non-existent or difficult to override, leading to overly warm or stuffy rooms, even in cooler months.
• Minor Room Maintenance Issues: There have been occasional reports of non-working kitchen appliances (such as fridges or stoves) or temperamental television remotes, and sometimes issues like partly blocked shower drains.
• Breakfast Service at Peak Times: Although breakfast is generally well-regarded, a few guests have experienced it being chaotic during busy periods, with slow table clearing or food stations needing replenishment.
• Location Perception: While many appreciate the quieter setting, some guests found the 20-minute walk to the city center a bit far if they did not have a car.

Sources

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