Ashley Hotel

My mom and I stayed for two nights while exploring Cambridge. the Ashley is really well-placed, so we chose it due to that and its affordability. I wasn't sure what to expect, but upon arriving, we were greeted warmly by Jenn and invited to a comfortable room while another party was being checked in. Then, we were wowed by the room--it was huge and so nice! Great beds, spacious bathroom, and just well-kept. Jen continued to be a highlight for us, serving breakfast with a smile and a laugh, having a chat and setting our day off right. She is a gem! I would recommend the Ashley to anyone going to Cambridge.

3 months ago · via Google

Avoid staying here during the summer, especially during a heatwave. If you’re planning to visit Cambridge in the summer, please check the hotel’s facilities carefully before booking. This hotel has no air conditioning, and during our stay there were not even enough fans available for guests. If you’re assigned a room on the top floor, as my son was, be prepared for extremely uncomfortable temperatures. Our experience started badly as we carried our luggage up the narrow staircase in the heat. The owner insisted that all the windows should remain closed because he believed this would keep the heat outside. He even compared it to driving a car with the air conditioning on and asked whether I would open the windows in that situation. The comparison simply doesn’t work: a car is continuously cooled by air conditioning, while these rooms have no cooling system at all. Whether the windows were open or closed, the room remained unbearably hot. A member of staff told us there was a fan in my son’s room, but it turned out to be a small electric heater. When my son went back to reception to ask for a fan, he was initially told there weren’t any. After he pointed out that the appliance in his room was actually a heater, the receptionist said she would look for one. We waited for a long time, but no fan ever arrived, and nobody followed up. Ironically, my basement room was much cooler, although it had a strong musty smell. I ended up giving my own small desk fan to my son, but it made very little difference in such extreme heat. As the room was simply not suitable to stay in, let alone sleep comfortably, I contacted the booking platform to request a refund. The owner came to speak with me and said that if I wasn’t happy, I was free to leave, but there would be no refund. I explained that I wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable—I simply wanted a proper fan or some practical way to cool my son’s room. Instead, he repeatedly insisted that he “couldn’t control the Earth’s temperature.” When I said I simply wouldn’t stay here again during the summer, he responded by saying that Cambridge and the UK did not welcome me, despite the fact that I have lived in London for several years. I found that remark completely unnecessary and inappropriate. I then explained that, since no practical solution had been offered, I intended to share my experience so future guests could make an informed decision. At that point, I needed to leave for my family’s graduation dinner, which was due to start within the hour. As soon as the owner realised I intended to write a review, he repeatedly asked me not to post it and kept delaying my departure. He told me he was 69 years old, had been running the hotel for decades, and that he had come out to apologise instead of staying at home on such a hot day. However, I never felt he was genuinely trying to resolve the problem. It seemed he was only responding because the booking platform had contacted him. I completely understand that no hotel can control the weather. What a hotel can control is how it responds. Providing enough fans, portable cooling units, ice, or even complimentary cold drinks during unusually hot weather would have shown genuine concern for guests’ comfort. Instead, every response focused on why nothing could be done. I’m sharing this review so future travellers know exactly what to expect. If you’re planning to stay here during the warmer months, especially if you’re allocated a top-floor room, the lack of cooling facilities could seriously affect your stay.

a month ago · via Google

We had a wonderful stay at Ashley Hotel. The room was very spacious, bright, and extremely comfortable. Everything was incredibly clean, which really impressed us. The breakfast was especially excellent and high quality. I loved the elegant white, neatly ironed tablecloths on the breakfast tables — everything felt spotless and well cared for. Highly recommended!

7 months ago · via Google

This is a lovely place to stay. Everyone is really friendly, the rooms are clean and the one we stayed in was very spacious with lots of storage. The beds are very comfortable and the rooms are a nice temperature. Although it didn't matter to us, the bath is quite narrow, but they obviously have to work with the space the have, if this matters to you it would probably be best to request a room with a shower. The breakfast is great, they have cereal, continental and cooked breakfast on offer. The cooked breakfast arrives hot (obviously freshly cooked) and the portion size was perfect. There was a selection of James, marmalade and honey for your toast. The person who served us was very funny, and nothing was too much trouble. There is lots of parking and a bus service almost outside the hotel (make sure you ask for the day traveller ticket), it is a very short journey in to Cambridge. Although the hotel is on a main road, there didn't seem to be much traffic noise. If you are a light sleeper, request a room away from the entrance door, it bangs quite loudly when it shuts. The accommodation isn't suitable for wheelchair users as there are step to the entrance and steps down to the reception area. When you arrive you have to press the door buzzer and wait for someone to let you in, once you have checked in, you get 2 key cards, which is handy. It was nice having an 11.00 am check out on a Sunday, even though we left well before, it felt less rushed. I would definitely stay here again.

8 months ago · via Google