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Hotel
4 star

Graduate by Hilton Cambridge

Chesterton Road, on the River Cam · Hotel

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Photo: Graduate by Hilton Cambridge

The city's only riverfront hotel, with 148 rooms on Chesterton Road, a garden restaurant and Jesus Green a two-minute walk across the bridge.

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Photos via Google

About Graduate by Hilton Cambridge

Formerly the Cambridge Royal, this hotel on Chesterton Road was reworked as a Graduate - the university-town brand now within the Hilton group - and reopened with a design that takes Cambridge references seriously: rowing blades, botanical prints from the university herbarium, crested crockery and a colour palette lifted from college scarves. It is the only hotel in the city that sits directly on the riverfront, which is its main claim and a fair one.

There are 148 guest rooms, running from Graduate Doubles and Kings through Junior Suites to a penthouse, and the rooms facing south look across the water to Jesus Green and Midsummer Common. Interiors are more playful than the average four-star, with patterned fabrics and a good deal of artwork, and the rooms are a reasonable size by central Cambridge standards. Air conditioning, decent desks and fast wi-fi are standard throughout, which matters given how much of the hotel's business comes from the science parks.

The Garden House restaurant works through seasonal menus built around East Anglian and British produce, with sharing plates, an a la carte list, afternoon tea and a well-regarded Sunday roast, and the terrace beside the river is the best seat in the building on a warm evening. Position is the other selling point: cross the footbridge and you are on Jesus Green, with the colleges ten minutes' walk beyond, while Castle Hill and the independent shops of Mitcham's Corner are on the doorstep. Parking is available on site for a charge.

What guests say

Nick

We came for normal dinner the location was beautiful but cold so moved into restaurant Jhansi is our server very friendly and attentive. Recommended food and made easily to decide. Food is delicious but we waited long time to get our mains other than everything is good.

3 weeks ago · via Google

Jared Hyman

Perfect location on the River Cam, right by the punting docks. Beautiful rooms, love the University theme throughout. Service was great. Breakfast was fantastic. I’ve stayed there twice, and would definitely stay again!

a month ago · via Google

louis slotboom

Had a lovely stay with the graduate. Central location so you are walking distance from everywhere in the city. The rooms were comfy and Cambridge themed, even the key cards gad famous alumni on them (great detail)! The concierge was very helpful and attentive. So all in all: a great stay.

2 weeks ago · via Google

Philippa Stephen-Martin

Everything, other than the Garden restaurant staff , is excellent, rooms, food, ambience , staff at reception, the garden staff need proper training. 5 chatting whilst I wave in the air for 20 mins waiting to order a drink, then food the same, terrible service by most of them, not unpolite, but no clue of attendance, one lady came to point at the octopus on my seafood linguine, and asked what it was, I told her, she came back with another member of staff to show her my food pointing at it, kitchen and all staff need to know what's what, ie the basics of basalmic vinegar vs normal vinegar, the fact ceasar salad was passing us by, but its nowhere on the menu? We had one it was delicious, but when i asked 1 member I keep seeing this salad go by where on the menu is it she just said oh its invisible on the menu, so it is available though, yes. Very strange. The wonderful setting is worth swallowing the fact slow and strange service is what June 26 brings, dont let this beautiful hotel and space down, get the staff trained!

a month ago · via Google

See all reviews on Google →

Guests consistently praise this hotel for its spacious rooms, good quality breakfast buffet, and well-stocked bar. Furthermore, they appreciate the excellent riverside location, friendly staff, and access to a pool, hot tub, steam room, and gym.

Some reviews mention the service can be slow.

Summary via Google

At a glance

Address
Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RT Get directions
Property type
Hotel
Location
Chesterton Road, on the River Cam
Star rating
4 star
Guest score
8.5 / 10 (2,600 reviews)
Prices from
£165 per night
Good for children
Yes
Destination
Cambridge