Think cobbled lanes, twinkling lights, ancient colleges dusted with fairy-light sparkle, and a river that looks great in every photo.
And right in the middle of it all is The Varsity Hotel, our home for a very wholesome one-night escape.
I’d done my research: The Varsity sits right on the River Cam, moments from St John’s, Trinity, Jesus and Magdalene College.
With just 48 uniquely designed rooms, a rooftop bar, a dreamy spa, and bikes you can borrow to live out your “carefree academic” fantasy, it’s known as one of Cambridge’s most luxurious boutique hotels.
Driving into Cambridge is… an experience, mostly because the city centre is so pedestrianised you feel like you’re breaking a rule just by existing.
Luckily, The Varsity has valet parking, which meant we simply pulled up outside, handed over the keys like VIPs and let someone else worry about the maze of tiny streets.
The hotel itself is tucked away just off the high street, but during the festive period it’s impossible to miss: the entrance is smothered in Christmas baubles.
The building feels old-school elegant with Victorian touches, but not in a dusty-museum way, more like a cosy period drama with central heating.
We stayed in the Senior Fellows Superking Room, which honestly sounded like somewhere an actual professor might live.
Inside: a four-poster bed, walk-in shower, statement wallpaper and views across the whole of Cambridge.
It felt like the kind of room where someone would suddenly confess their feelings in a Christmas movie.
The bed was so comfortable I could’ve cancelled the rest of the trip and just hibernated.
Dinner was at SIX Brasserie, the hotel’s sixth-floor restaurant with panoramic views over the city.
We started with Truffle & Parmesan Arancini and Crispy Salmon Sushi.
The arancini was loaded with flavour, creamy, rich, with the perfect crunch, while the salmon sushi was a fun, surprising twist.
For mains, I went adventurous and ordered a Lobster Roll – my first time having lobster ever – and what a way to start.
The lobster melted like butter, the brioche was thick and sweet, and the whole thing felt like a treat.
My friend had the Crispy Pork Belly, recommended by our server Rebecca (who was amazing), and yes, I stole a bite.
The apple sauce and creamed spinach combination was absolute comfort food perfection.
For dessert, we skipped the classics and went for cocktail desserts, because it was Saturday and we were on holiday.
My Salted Caramel Espresso Martini was dangerous – in the best way.
SIX is open to the public, so you don’t have to stay at The Varsity to enjoy it, but honestly, staying makes it feel even more magical.
After dinner, we ventured into Cambridge’s nightlife which, being a massive student city, is lively, chaotic and full of people considerably younger than us.
But we still bar-hopped, chatted, people-watched and overall had the best time.
Waking up in that giant bed with views over Cambridge felt extremely main character.
We sipped morning coffee, debriefed our night before, and then headed back up to SIX for breakfast.
The setup is perfect: you choose a hot dish (I had the Eggs Benedict – rich but not heavy, ideal for the morning after), plus unlimited continental picks like croissants, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yoghurt and more.
Before checking out, we squeezed in a spa session.
The spa is inside a restored bonded warehouse with a Whirlpool hot tub that overlooks the river.
You sit there, warm and relaxed, watching tourists walk past completely unaware that you’re observing them from a bubbling cauldron like two cosy witches.
There’s a sauna, steam room and Elemis treatments, which seemed very popular – lots of guests in fluffy robes heading off for facials.
The Varsity Hotel feels like a warm, inviting hug, especially at Christmas.
Between the twinkling decorations, the rom-com vibes of the room, the rooftop views, comforting food, and the super-chilled spa, it’s the perfect festive escape from the chaos of London life.
Whether you’re going for a romantic night away, a girls’ trip, or a little self-care stay, The Varsity offers that rare blend of luxury, warmth and personality that makes you wish you had one more night.
