The De Vere University Arms Hotel. (De Vere University Arms Hotel)

Name: Bryn Pearson

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Product:	De Vere University Arms Hotel
Date:	01/10/01 (212 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: right in the middle of Cambridge

Disadvantages: Very expensive

This last weekend I went to Cambridge for a wedding, which was excellent, but due to lack of floor space, was obliged to pay for accomodation. Jonathan decided to treat us to a room in the De Vere hotel, ( 4 star) and I thought I would share the expereince with you.

De Vere hotels are a small chain based in the UK - they offer a high standard of accomodation, often using interesting older buildings rather than ugly modern ones. In Cambridge, the hotel is very central, but many of them are in more rural settings.

We were able to check in at two. They have a car park under the hotel, which costs seven pounds per day for residents. (parking is something of a rare commodity in Cambridge city centre.) On entering the hotel I was immediatly struck by the paintings on the walls - especially a notable representation of Lord Byron. The atmosphere was relaxed, the staff friendly and helpful. Checking in was quick and largely painless and direction to the room proved adequate. (It being quite a large palce this was an important detail.

The Room: We had a moderatly sized room with a large double bed and an en suite bathroom. the bed was excellenty - large, comfortable and well made up. The room also contained a television (which we did not use.) wardrobe, two comfy chairs, a dressing table with chair, a haridryer, a trouser press (didn't use either of them) and some facilities for making tea and coffee - a kettle and some sachetts. There was a phone, and a menu for room service (again, we didn't try this as it costs a fortune.) The bathroom looked better than it turned out to be. The cold tap in the sink ran tepid, and it was impossible to get any warm water out of the shower, which was not impressive. There was the usual array of complimentary washing aids. The room was quiet, comfortable and very clean. We slept very well and woke up, without needing to take advantage of the offered wake up call. A complimentary newspaper was delivered to th
e door. We were out by ten - an hour earler than we needed to be.

The food: the hotel includes a restaurant offering a range of hot and cold meals throughout the day - many of which can be delivered to your room. I found the menu a touch on the pretentious side, but reasonably priced. Breakfasts consisted of either a cooked breakfast, or a lighter continental style meal. Lighter meals for lunches were available, as were cooked evening meals. However, Cambridge has lots of good restaurants, and most of them are better value for moeny than eating in a hotel, so generally I would recomend that you eat out. For a lighter meal eaten in the restaurant you can expect to pay eight to twelve pounds per course, which is reasonable enough. meals do not appear to be included in the price of the accomodation.

Events in the hotel - the hotel has a selection of suits that can be hired - some of the colleges use it for events. They also run events for the general public - a noticed adverts for a new years eve party with a large meal and a dance - costing about sixty five pounds.

The hotel does not have any notable entertainment features - no gymn, swimming pool or anything of that ilk, it clearly seeks to cater for mature customers with reasonable tastes. Plus, as the hotel isc entral to cambridge, the lack of facilities in situ is hardly a problem as there's plenty to do within easy walknig distance.

Is it good value for money? well, no, not at one hundred and fifty pounds for a double room for one night. I probably won't be staying there again. I've had B&B accomodation that cost about a third the price without being a third the standard. I found the place a touch on the pretentious side - not really my sort of thing. If you like the impression of opulance and you enjoy splashng out, then the University Arms may well suit you. If you are visiting Cambridge on a budget or prefer more homely surroundings I would strongly recomend loo
king elsewhere. Nice to visit as a once off, but I wouldn't want to stay there for a week (and I couldn't afford to!)

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