HOTEL OF THE WEEK
WHERE AND WHY: Less than a mile from the city centre, and a stone’s throw from the famous River Cam and colleges, this apartment-style hotel, which opened its doors in July, is an ideal base for visitors looking to linger longer than a weekend in the university city. Its 131 rooms, named after people associated with the city or renowned Cambridge fellows such as Kipling, Newton and Attenborough, include studios, one-bedroom apartments and duplexes, each with fully equipped kitchens.
ON THE MENU: In the Fellows’ signature restaurant, The Folio Kitchen, the focus is on plant-based dishes, with most of the starters (from
£6.50) and around half of the main courses (from £12) either vegan or vegetarian. If you don’t fancy a plant-based meal, there’s pan-fried scallops with celeriac
(£14.50) or Caesar salad with chicken (£11.50) for starters.
My main dish, an 8oz Herefordshire beef rib eye steak, was surprisingly light on vegetables, served with just half a hasselback potato, half an onion, and rocket garnish
(£32.50). Desserts are £5.50 upwards, cocktails, bar one, are £10 and from the extensive wine list I went for a mid-range bottle of white (£28.50).
The Folio Kitchen was also where we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast; pancakes to continental meats and cheeses, with cereals and fruits in abundance, plus cooked options. At the front of the hotel, the Sage of Cambridge coffee shop offers paninis, salads and pastries, transforming into a wine bar in the evening.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Children will have a splashing time in the hotel’s pool on the ground floor. There’s also a sauna and steam room, plus a state-of-the-art compact gym. And what better way to explore the city
than by hiring a bicycle from the hotel?
WAKE-UP CALL: A night in a Kipling King room for two starts at £203 including breakfast. There’s a £21 per night charge to use the car park. Electric charging points are available. thefellowshouse cambridge. curiocollection.com