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Gonville Hotel
Gonville Place, Cambridge CB1 1LY England
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Avg. AU$408 /night, 3/26 - 3/27
AU$444
per night
AU$344
per night
AU$244
per night
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About
#5 of 33 hotels in Cambridge
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Gonville Hotel has been privately owned and run by the same family for three generations. Located directly opposite the famous Parker’s Piece and just a short walk from the city’s many colleges and historic greens, Gonville Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Cambridge. From the exquisite décor in every room to complimentary tours of the city in our classic coach-built Bentleys, experience is at the heart of every stay. You can even take a Gonville bicycle to see the city under your own steam, very Cambridge indeed! Gonville Hotel offers two delicious dining options. A contemporary restaurant with a British seasonal menu, perfect for special occasions. And our more relaxed menu that may be enjoyed in our bar, or in the fairer months, our magnificent marquee. Private gardens, wellness rooms, live jazz, a love of dogs and a true sense of individuality make Gonville Hotel the perfect destination for unforgettable experiences and exceptional stays.
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Property amenities
Electric vehicle charging station
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Highchairs available
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Paid private parking on-site
Parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Patio
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Shoeshine
Room features
Allergy-free room
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Flatscreen TV
Sofa bed
Walk-in shower
Bathrobes
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
City view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
City View
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, Spanish and 5 more
Location
Gonville Place, Cambridge CB1 1LY England
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 98 out of 100
98
81 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
4.5
4,216 reviews
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Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Gonville Hotel receives a mixed bag of feedback. The staff's friendliness is often highlighted, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere accentuated by stylish decor and live music. However, some guests feel the value doesn't match the price, pointing to costly amenities and high room rates.
While the central location earns praise for its convenience and access to nearby attractions, noise levels in the rooms can be bothersome. Cleanliness is a strong point, with reports of spotless rooms and efficient housekeeping, yet guests note inconsistencies in room service and amenities.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Cramped
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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Detailed Reviews
Short couples break at this lovely Cambridge hotel.
The hotel is fairly centrally located and comprises of two buildings for accommodation.
The main hotel which looks like a fairly modern building, and Gonville House which appears to be a much older building.
We stayed in the House in a beautiful deluxe feature room.
The room is well equipped to a very high standard with the usual UK items ( kettle, hairdryer iron and board)
It also has a safe an expresso machine and bathrobes and slippers.
The bed and pillows are very comfortable and the bathroom is large with a separate bath and shower and double basin.
The toiletries are top of the luxury range.
Unfortunately the bar was closed for refurbishment at the time of our stay so the bar in use was the one set up in the garden, which was OK if pricey. We couldn't fault the hotel or accommodation despite the bar being closed.
The breakfast consisted of a small cold selection although perfectly adequate and a cooked breakfast that was served to you.
The food is obviously of a high quality.
The only downside was that in our case asking for things to be well cooked (sausages for example) they never were during our stay and every time were at best luke warm. I'm sure if we mentioned it after they were brought to the table they would have been changed. However you don't know they are cold until you start to eat and no one asked at anytime if all was OK.
We ate Sunday lunch it the restaurant and that was expensive for the meal served. It was after 3pm so we assume that was the end of service but it wasn't great just OK.
Parking is charged at £26 per day. High cost considering the price of the hotel itself.
The staff were all helpful and friendly.
The rooms at least in the House are fantastic and worth the extra cost. The only reason for the mark down to a 4 is the dining experience.
4.5 would be more reflective.
The hotel is fairly centrally located and comprises of two buildings for accommodation.
The main hotel which looks like a fairly modern building, and Gonville House which appears to be a much older building.
We stayed in the House in a beautiful deluxe feature room.
The room is well equipped to a very high standard with the usual UK items ( kettle, hairdryer iron and board)
It also has a safe an expresso machine and bathrobes and slippers.
The bed and pillows are very comfortable and the bathroom is large with a separate bath and shower and double basin.
The toiletries are top of the luxury range.
Unfortunately the bar was closed for refurbishment at the time of our stay so the bar in use was the one set up in the garden, which was OK if pricey. We couldn't fault the hotel or accommodation despite the bar being closed.
The breakfast consisted of a small cold selection although perfectly adequate and a cooked breakfast that was served to you.
The food is obviously of a high quality.
The only downside was that in our case asking for things to be well cooked (sausages for example) they never were during our stay and every time were at best luke warm. I'm sure if we mentioned it after they were brought to the table they would have been changed. However you don't know they are cold until you start to eat and no one asked at anytime if all was OK.
We ate Sunday lunch it the restaurant and that was expensive for the meal served. It was after 3pm so we assume that was the end of service but it wasn't great just OK.
Parking is charged at £26 per day. High cost considering the price of the hotel itself.
The staff were all helpful and friendly.
The rooms at least in the House are fantastic and worth the extra cost. The only reason for the mark down to a 4 is the dining experience.
4.5 would be more reflective.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Parking first come first served. Pay multistory car park a short walk.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Conlan-Jackson, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 1 Sept 2024
Dear GrandTour34985131368, Thank you for taking the time to leave us this in depth review. Positive feedback is lovely to receive - however- we do appreciate reviews in which advise us on what we can improve on. I am pleased to hear that the location and room was to your liking, the toiletries are a personal favorite of mine. I will pass on the feedback to the kitchen regarding breakfast, also the Sunday Roast menu and costings is something I have had a look at and on average, Sunday roast per person in Cambridge can be as high as £49 for 3 courses, where as in the Gonville Kitchen, it is 3 courses for £40. A Sunday bargain - I would say! The parking at £26 may be perceived as high, however this pays for the security and that of convenience of being able to park your car close to the city center, and also close to you. I am glad you found the team to be friendly, which is something I will inform them of - which will be appreciated. I hope that you will join us again, Kind regards, Louise & the team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for one night. It’s is a beautiful hotel. The room was beautifully decorated, although both lamps had rips in the shades. Towel rail in bathroom was warm to dry towels quickly. Lovely walk in shower.
It was quite expensive to stay but having researched other hotels within Cambridge City Centre, it seemed about right, and the fact you have to pay for car parking which was slightly cheaper here than at other hotels. Location is great and to get to shops and restaurants you can walk through Parkers Place gardens, it's about a 5-7min walk. It was about a 25min walk to the river Cam, and many of the punt companies. I would definitely recommend the Gonville Hotel. However, I cannot comment on food as we did not pay for breakfast nor an evening meal.
My only complaint is the service charge on drinks. For two drinks it cost us £24 (they were cocktails) which is absolutely fine and the going rate, however, a service charge was then added on top which should never be forced on to the customer, it is wrong tips should always be voluntary call me old fashioned, but I don’t agree with it, and makes you wonder whether the staff member even gets the service charge.
It was quite expensive to stay but having researched other hotels within Cambridge City Centre, it seemed about right, and the fact you have to pay for car parking which was slightly cheaper here than at other hotels. Location is great and to get to shops and restaurants you can walk through Parkers Place gardens, it's about a 5-7min walk. It was about a 25min walk to the river Cam, and many of the punt companies. I would definitely recommend the Gonville Hotel. However, I cannot comment on food as we did not pay for breakfast nor an evening meal.
My only complaint is the service charge on drinks. For two drinks it cost us £24 (they were cocktails) which is absolutely fine and the going rate, however, a service charge was then added on top which should never be forced on to the customer, it is wrong tips should always be voluntary call me old fashioned, but I don’t agree with it, and makes you wonder whether the staff member even gets the service charge.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Conlan-Jackson, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 1 Oct 2023
Dear BillyLilly, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us. We are very fortunate to be in such a great central location, surrounded by much to see and do, including the punting. I am dismayed to hear about your drinks in the restaurant; regarding the service charge this is completely optional, we freely remove this should it be requested. All our staff including the people you don't see (ie, kitchen porters and chefs) do receive a share of any service charge and gratuities added to the bill. If cash tips are given directly to the server or wait staff they are able to keep it. I completely understand your feedback regarding this, however across the UK in most establishments, this is automatically added. I hope this wont deter you from returning. Kind regards, Louise & the team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
The Gonville is a bit of a conundrum. Mainly excellent but let down in a few ways. We stayed in a superior room which looked beautiful, overlooking Parker’s Piece and the Christmas market. Room was stylish and bathroom looked great. All must have been recently refreshed. We managed to secure a parking space which given we arrived early and stayed until the following lunchtime was about the same price as the multi-storey down the road.
Breakfast was really excellent. Reasonable selection of continental - some fruit, good range of juices and breakfast cereals. Cold meat and cheese, bread and pastries with wonderful pain au chocolat. A coffee machine - okay or cafetière - better. The cooked was fantastic. I had the full gonville which was well cooked - 2 sausages, 3 rashers of bacon, poached egg, beans, mushroom, hash brown and tomato, wonderful! My wife had scrambled eggs cooked exactly how she liked them with mushroom and avocado.
But the stay wasn’t perfect. The heating in our room didn’t work properly. Room was way too hot and the controller was locked so we couldn’t change the temperature. Called reception and they said they would unlock it. Still didn’t work. Engineer came to the room. He couldn’t fix it so they turned it off centrally. We opened the window to try and cool the room and still too hot. The hotel is on a busy road so with the window open, we were woken multiple times in the night. If the heating control worked I am sure we would have slept better.
While the bathroom looked lovely, it felt like it had been refurbished on a very low budget. The toilet didn’t flush properly. The tap on the basin wobbled. The shower tray sank as you stepped on it - the weakest shower tray I have ever experienced and this didn’t drain so you were constantly turning off the powerful shower (good) for fear of flooding the bathroom. Capped off with the thinnest towels I’ve ever had in any B&B or hotel.
The location is great. Easy to get to if coming to Cambridge from the south or west and it’s a short easy walk into the heart of Cambridge with all the universities and history. The staff are very helpful too.
It so easily could have been 5 stars had the heating controller worked and they had spent a little more refurbishing the bathroom.
Breakfast was really excellent. Reasonable selection of continental - some fruit, good range of juices and breakfast cereals. Cold meat and cheese, bread and pastries with wonderful pain au chocolat. A coffee machine - okay or cafetière - better. The cooked was fantastic. I had the full gonville which was well cooked - 2 sausages, 3 rashers of bacon, poached egg, beans, mushroom, hash brown and tomato, wonderful! My wife had scrambled eggs cooked exactly how she liked them with mushroom and avocado.
But the stay wasn’t perfect. The heating in our room didn’t work properly. Room was way too hot and the controller was locked so we couldn’t change the temperature. Called reception and they said they would unlock it. Still didn’t work. Engineer came to the room. He couldn’t fix it so they turned it off centrally. We opened the window to try and cool the room and still too hot. The hotel is on a busy road so with the window open, we were woken multiple times in the night. If the heating control worked I am sure we would have slept better.
While the bathroom looked lovely, it felt like it had been refurbished on a very low budget. The toilet didn’t flush properly. The tap on the basin wobbled. The shower tray sank as you stepped on it - the weakest shower tray I have ever experienced and this didn’t drain so you were constantly turning off the powerful shower (good) for fear of flooding the bathroom. Capped off with the thinnest towels I’ve ever had in any B&B or hotel.
The location is great. Easy to get to if coming to Cambridge from the south or west and it’s a short easy walk into the heart of Cambridge with all the universities and history. The staff are very helpful too.
It so easily could have been 5 stars had the heating controller worked and they had spent a little more refurbishing the bathroom.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Leah Jelleyman, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 21 Dec 2024
Dear P7424HRscottp, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave some feedback. I'm happy to see that there were some aspects of your stay that you enjoyed. Though I am disappointed to see that your room in particular was so disappointing for you. I do hope that you will get in touch directly at grm@gonvillehotel.co.uk if you wish to discuss your experience in more detail and give us the opportunity to leave ourselves in a better light. I hope you have a lovely day. Best wishes, Team Gonville.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed 5 nights whilst working in Cambridge. Hotel restaurant was out of action on the first night due to an electrical problem and there was no hot water in my room on the first night and following morning. When I complained I was given the option of checking out and staying elsewhere! Poor sound insulation in the first floor room I was allocated, with shower and toilet noise from the room above as well as hearing conversation from the occupants of the adjacent room. On a positive note, the bed was comfortable and the room was serviced daily with fresh towels and complimentary water, coffee and tea. Didn't eat dinner in the hotel as the menu was uninspiring and expensive. Plenty of eating out options nearby , including Little Petra which is a short walk away, offering tasty, freshly cooked, excellent value Jordanian food.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Leah Jelleyman, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 25 June 2024
Dear Michaelshropshire, Thank you for your feedback. I was so sorry to hear about some of the things that happened during your stay. Unfortunately, as you say, we did lose power to our entire kitchen for a couple of nights last week. This was completely out of our control but I do apologise for the impact it had on you. It is shocking to hear that any of our team members would advise you stay elsewhere if they were unable to resolve an issue. Our usual procedure would have been to offer you another bedroom in the Gonville. However, if none were available, perhaps the team member thought an alternate location would be more comfortable for yourself. I will certainly look into what has occurred on this occasion though to ensure no guest feels anything less than completely welcome moving forward. I'm sorry to hear our menu was not to your taste, but glad to hear you made the most of our central location and found something more to your liking. Despite the noise disturbance in your room I am happy that you enjoyed the room itself. If you would like to speak further regarding your stay please don't hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing grm@gonvillehotel.co.uk . Have a lovely day. Best wishes, Leah Guest relations
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My dad treated me to the dinner and jazz evening at the Gonville Hotel on Thursday 19th September for my birthday. Before this, he had some correspondence with the conference manager Emma who sent over the confirmation of a starting time of 6:30 and the menu for the evening. Our place had been confirmed.
However, when we arrived early at the hotel we were told the evening didn't start until 7:30. We showed our confirmation and despite this were told things didn't kick off until an hour after we had been told (and what was on the website.) After further checking with the manager, we were told that actually it was correct, the evening DID start at 6:30 for the meal with the band starting at 7:30.
We went to the bar area to wait as we had arrived early. By the time it got to 7pm there appeared to be no movement in the room we were going to for our meal, and a few other people were also getting restless, so a few of us went in and queued as no one had come in to tell us things were ready.
Once we gave our name, we were informed that we were not on the list of people attending, despite my dad showing his confirmation and explaining about his correspondence with Emma. This seemed to cause great confusion and we were temporarily seated at a table but told there may be a problem with the meal due to us not being listed. We were asked a couple of times if we had booked under a different name which we hadn't and again showed our confirmation.
We were then moved to another table about 7:15. By this time, no food had come out, bearing in mind the band were due to start at 7:30 and the meal was supposed to be out at 6:30. The food started coming out just before 7:30 which coincided with the band coming onto stage. The main course, whilst tasty, was far too small and we weren't offered any water or bread or anything alongside this which i thought was bizarre. Normally at a restaurant you would at the very least be given tap water. On top of this, the evening was supposed to include 'welcome drinks' which no one seemed to know about when my dad queried this. My dad then queried if i could have some water and if he could have some wine and was told this would need to be checked with the manager. Nothing came of it.
We were then brought out 2 cocktails at approx 8:20 which we assumed were the welcome drinks. However, not long after, another waiter came out and asked why we had them and if we had paid for them which clearly meant they weren't for us and weren't the welcome drinks. The dessert (another miniscule offering) came out at approx 8:30 alongside the welcome drinks (less than an hour before the end of the evening)...
The Pinstripe Suit jazz band were amazing, and i really loved their performance, but the meal was a big let down and the organisation / mix up with us not being on the list seemed really bad and made us both feel as though were had done something wrong when we hadn't. 5 stars to the band, but only 2 stars for the evening itself. What a shame.
However, when we arrived early at the hotel we were told the evening didn't start until 7:30. We showed our confirmation and despite this were told things didn't kick off until an hour after we had been told (and what was on the website.) After further checking with the manager, we were told that actually it was correct, the evening DID start at 6:30 for the meal with the band starting at 7:30.
We went to the bar area to wait as we had arrived early. By the time it got to 7pm there appeared to be no movement in the room we were going to for our meal, and a few other people were also getting restless, so a few of us went in and queued as no one had come in to tell us things were ready.
Once we gave our name, we were informed that we were not on the list of people attending, despite my dad showing his confirmation and explaining about his correspondence with Emma. This seemed to cause great confusion and we were temporarily seated at a table but told there may be a problem with the meal due to us not being listed. We were asked a couple of times if we had booked under a different name which we hadn't and again showed our confirmation.
We were then moved to another table about 7:15. By this time, no food had come out, bearing in mind the band were due to start at 7:30 and the meal was supposed to be out at 6:30. The food started coming out just before 7:30 which coincided with the band coming onto stage. The main course, whilst tasty, was far too small and we weren't offered any water or bread or anything alongside this which i thought was bizarre. Normally at a restaurant you would at the very least be given tap water. On top of this, the evening was supposed to include 'welcome drinks' which no one seemed to know about when my dad queried this. My dad then queried if i could have some water and if he could have some wine and was told this would need to be checked with the manager. Nothing came of it.
We were then brought out 2 cocktails at approx 8:20 which we assumed were the welcome drinks. However, not long after, another waiter came out and asked why we had them and if we had paid for them which clearly meant they weren't for us and weren't the welcome drinks. The dessert (another miniscule offering) came out at approx 8:30 alongside the welcome drinks (less than an hour before the end of the evening)...
The Pinstripe Suit jazz band were amazing, and i really loved their performance, but the meal was a big let down and the organisation / mix up with us not being on the list seemed really bad and made us both feel as though were had done something wrong when we hadn't. 5 stars to the band, but only 2 stars for the evening itself. What a shame.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Leah Jelleyman, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 25 Sept 2024
Dear maccymacd, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave this feedback. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the Jazz portion of your evening. Though I am disappointed to hear about the rest of your experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to resolve this for you and leave the Gonville in a better light. If you would like to discuss your experience further please don't hesitate to contact me directly at grm@gonvillehotel.co.uk. Have a wonderful day. Best wishes, Leah Guest Relations
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovely Hotel but disappointing in many ways. Our first visit to Cambridge as a family and were really looking forward to our stay at the hotel. Great Location and managed to park our 3 cars at the hotel which was good. Nice warm welcome and Filip who checked us all in and out when we left was very good indeed. Rooms small and the wardrobe was awful with it very awkward to hang your clothes, very small and the safe situated on the floor so you had to kneel and lower your head to the carpet to use. Also we all (8 in the party) did not like the complimentary water in cans as the taste of the water was dreadful, why not have bottles. Breakfast was good but service very poor with untrained staff kept getting orders wrong or forgetting items. The bar and terrace are very nice but gain poor bar staff who also at times argued with each other. Also so may empty glasses left at tables both inside and out and the terrace needs a good brush and clean. For what you pay it was poor and could so easily be better.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Holly Oliver, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 12 July 2023
Dear V2962SWstevem, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. The staff here will be very happy to hear that their service was appreciated so I will definitely let them know, especially Filip. We were sorry to hear that the room itself was not to your liking and that our service fell below our usual high standards. If you would like to speak in any more depth about your experience with us, we would really like the opportunity to resolve this for you. It is important to us that our guests leave us having had a great stay, so if you would like to discuss this, please feel free to reach out to us at grm@gonvillehotel.co.uk. Best wishes, Holly & the team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very disappointed
I tried to send the email below as I didn’t want to share my experience publicly. When it bounced back twice after re writing it and sending it from the link from the hotels web site I just gave up.
My partner and I stayed with you on Friday 5/4/24. We aren’t the type of couple to complain hence why I am emailing you instead of leaving a review that would be in the public eye.
Check in was professional with happy staff our problems started mid afternoon with a dog barking in the next room. Clearly you cannot be held responsible for this but your customers must surely be aware that they cannot leave an animal unattended. During the night the wardrobe rail collapsed waking us up. I got up and had to reassemble it so that our clothes weren’t creased.
In the morning when we woke the bathroom had a very distinct drain smell which was most unpleasant.
We arrived at breakfast to be told there was a long wait as you had over 100 customers and only seating for 50ish why on earth were we asked what time we would like breakfast on check in if it made no difference to when people could turn up that is just poor planning. We eventually got seated and ordered, I stood in line waiting for the coffee machine which ran out of milk when I got to it all told it took 25 mins to get a coffee. But at least when I arrived back my breakfast wasn’t long to follow. Wrong eggs no beans! I had by this point lost the will to complain however I must say the waiter was very apologetic and later turned up with my egg and beans. We enjoyed our breakfast apart from the noisy table next to us where 4 children where shouting and causing a disruption to the area. The parents are fully to blame and we’re oblivious on another table simply not caring. I would certainly have asked politely if they could ask there children to stop making so much noise and running through the breakfast area at least
So to sum up the relaxing trip we had hoped for didn’t happen we stay at a lot of hotels and yours I am afraid does not justify the price paid.
We were asked did we want to speak to the manager but in view there were people waiting to check out behind us we declined.
I would however like to hear from the manager.
Kind regards
Richard Woods
Room 228
I tried to send the email below as I didn’t want to share my experience publicly. When it bounced back twice after re writing it and sending it from the link from the hotels web site I just gave up.
My partner and I stayed with you on Friday 5/4/24. We aren’t the type of couple to complain hence why I am emailing you instead of leaving a review that would be in the public eye.
Check in was professional with happy staff our problems started mid afternoon with a dog barking in the next room. Clearly you cannot be held responsible for this but your customers must surely be aware that they cannot leave an animal unattended. During the night the wardrobe rail collapsed waking us up. I got up and had to reassemble it so that our clothes weren’t creased.
In the morning when we woke the bathroom had a very distinct drain smell which was most unpleasant.
We arrived at breakfast to be told there was a long wait as you had over 100 customers and only seating for 50ish why on earth were we asked what time we would like breakfast on check in if it made no difference to when people could turn up that is just poor planning. We eventually got seated and ordered, I stood in line waiting for the coffee machine which ran out of milk when I got to it all told it took 25 mins to get a coffee. But at least when I arrived back my breakfast wasn’t long to follow. Wrong eggs no beans! I had by this point lost the will to complain however I must say the waiter was very apologetic and later turned up with my egg and beans. We enjoyed our breakfast apart from the noisy table next to us where 4 children where shouting and causing a disruption to the area. The parents are fully to blame and we’re oblivious on another table simply not caring. I would certainly have asked politely if they could ask there children to stop making so much noise and running through the breakfast area at least
So to sum up the relaxing trip we had hoped for didn’t happen we stay at a lot of hotels and yours I am afraid does not justify the price paid.
We were asked did we want to speak to the manager but in view there were people waiting to check out behind us we declined.
I would however like to hear from the manager.
Kind regards
Richard Woods
Room 228
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Try somewhere else
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Conlan-Jackson, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 12 Apr 2024
Dear Mr Woods, Thank you very much for your review and feedback. I do apologize for the delay in my response. I am happy to hear that our reception team took care of you upon check in. As a general rule, if guests believe that their dog will manage being alone it is up to their discretion to do so, if we are made aware that the dog is in distress we contact the guest directly to resolve it. In regards to the smell of the room, did you attempt to contact us so we could investigate it prior to check out? This is not our usual standard and would have investigated this straight away and have arranged alternate showering facilities. I am sorry to read that the breakfast didn't go as smoothly as expected this previous weekend. You are completely correct in your summation regarding the arrival time of guests. Even if each guest provides a time it doesn't guarantee that each may show up for that time. In this situation, we did attempt to prepare tables as fast as we could. I am glad that whilst their was a delay and a mistake the team were able to resolve it. I am sure you appreciate that this is a busy time of year and families go away together. We agree that parents have responsibility for their own children which isn't necessarily the hotels responsibility unless causing disruption to other guests or safety concerns which we didn't identify on the day. I hope this doesn't discourage you from staying in the future, perhaps during a quieter time. As a returning guest you are offered a 10% discount on booking directly, I am happy for you to contact me directly to arrange it. My email is louise@gonvillehotel.co.uk Kind regards, Louise & the team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Well located near the town centre. The staff were helpful and very professional. However the restaurant charge silly prices, the small plates represented very bad value and put us off from going for breakfast. The room was fine although the small wardrobe could not accommodate clothes from two small suitcases, and lacked door handles. Housekeeping did not refresh the small milk cartons on either of the two nights we stayed.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: £28 a day parking in the hotel car park
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Leah Jelleyman, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 4 Jan 2025
Dear Camper61903647105, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave some feedback. I'm happy to see that there were some aspects of your stay that you enjoyed. Though I am disappointed to see that our restaurant in particular was so disappointing for you. I do hope that you will get in touch directly at grm@gonvillehotel.co.uk if you wish to discuss your experience in more detail and give us the opportunity to leave ourselves in a better light. I hope you have a lovely day. Best wishes, Team Gonville.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Central location on Parker's Piece giving good access to both the historical core of Cambridge and on outward to the surrounding areas, it was exceedingly peaceful at night also. The staff, despite being clearly very busy, were courteous and helpful at all times - superb. The hotel's main lobby has an old world villa feel, the classic Bentley motor cars at the main entrance are instant cause to pause and comment (my wife couldn't care less about cars and still insisted on a photo with them), then there's the inner garden area which feels like a bit of an oasis in a very busy and bustling city. Our room had amazing decor and great facilities - genuinely stunning. It might seem small but we appreciated the water and coffee after the long journey. The choice of multiple pillows was also welcomed - I prefer a harder pillow, my wife a softer one. Housekeeping were helpful and friendly throughout our stay. Icing on the cake, something I've never experienced before at any hotel, was the opportunity to be taken for an hour in a 1953 Bentley, with a knowledgeable and charming host - thank you Zane! - that was really something special and different to the average hotel 'room to store humans in' experience. Brilliant. Staff at the outdoor bar were lovely too, great cocktails late on a Friday night.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Call or email in advance to discuss the Bentley service - it gets booked up easily.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Conlan-Jackson, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 7 Aug 2024
Dear 1702UMnicks, Wow! What a review. On behalf of myself and the team I am pleased to hear that you enjoyed your entire stay with us. Your thorough review is well received and fantastic feedback. I will pass on all your kind comments to the team. I will also let Zane know you have mentioned him too! Kind regards, Louise & the team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I left this place really upset…
1. Excellent reception on arrival
2. Our room 121, recently decorated, but basin hot tap didn’t work, large dirty crack in the basin, overall the bathroom needed a serious refit. But we didn’t complain…
3. Nice dining room, our evening meal, soup cold, bap served on the edge of the bowl and fell in, no side plates. Had to ask for cutlery. Expensive for what we had. Bar staff were a cheerful lot, nice live piano music.
4. Breakfast, ok, but cool, one mug teabag in a massive teapot for one person. Coffee in a machine and had to get it ourselves. Again had to ask for cutlery and plates. A gentleman was very cross about the coffee situation.
5. On our departure day there was no hot water at 9 o’clock, I phoned reception, she said run hot and cold taps together and it will be fine. It wasn’t so didn’t have a bath. Told the receptionists ( one continued to use the computer and the other put on her lip gloss) asked me when did I run my bath, when I said 9, oh well that’s when everyone wants it, so basically said it was my fault. They took off the £29 per night parking fee to compensate (yes, that’s right £29). Their attitude was completely unacceptable. The experience cost us over £500, but not again!
Apparently you can have a ride in the Bentley parked outside but this was not offered, we found out too late. All a bit shabby really.
1. Excellent reception on arrival
2. Our room 121, recently decorated, but basin hot tap didn’t work, large dirty crack in the basin, overall the bathroom needed a serious refit. But we didn’t complain…
3. Nice dining room, our evening meal, soup cold, bap served on the edge of the bowl and fell in, no side plates. Had to ask for cutlery. Expensive for what we had. Bar staff were a cheerful lot, nice live piano music.
4. Breakfast, ok, but cool, one mug teabag in a massive teapot for one person. Coffee in a machine and had to get it ourselves. Again had to ask for cutlery and plates. A gentleman was very cross about the coffee situation.
5. On our departure day there was no hot water at 9 o’clock, I phoned reception, she said run hot and cold taps together and it will be fine. It wasn’t so didn’t have a bath. Told the receptionists ( one continued to use the computer and the other put on her lip gloss) asked me when did I run my bath, when I said 9, oh well that’s when everyone wants it, so basically said it was my fault. They took off the £29 per night parking fee to compensate (yes, that’s right £29). Their attitude was completely unacceptable. The experience cost us over £500, but not again!
Apparently you can have a ride in the Bentley parked outside but this was not offered, we found out too late. All a bit shabby really.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Conlan-Jackson, Guest Services / Front Office at Gonville Hotel
Responded 6 May 2024
Dear Companion60165613045, I am sorry to hear that your recent stay with us wasn't as expected. I too am shocked that so much has happened whilst you have been with us which doesn't reflect our 'Gracious Hospitality' standard. I will ensure I am following up the points you have raised with each department, as I understand there is areas to improve. We do have the Bentley tour information on our web page, also when booking directly this information is added to the T's & C's on the booking page. Also, please be aware, we charge £26 per night for car parking, not £29 as aforementioned, this is due to limited car parking in Cambridge. If at any point you would like to book in with us in future, I would personally like to make sure I am the point of contact for this. My email is louise@gonvillehotel.co.uk Kind regards, Louise & team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I do not think there is a written dress code but smart casual probably sums it up, with smart for formal dining.
The videos and photos give an idea of the style projected.
The GONVILLE Hotel has swung to the challenge since Covid and has now reopened and offers unparalleled service and comfort in these modern times. A haven away from all the worries of the world. Be sure to book your Bentley Tours early-ish due to demand for this excellent top drawer service. A Perspex screen seperates driver from back seat but the insuppressible magic of Cambridge is really brought to life by The Head Concierge, Elliot Murray.
No. Just a small Beauty Salon
Hi, Please get in touch with us directly on 01223 366611 and we will be happy to look at some dates and times with you that fit around your visit.
Hi, Please get in touch with us directly at the Hotel with your booking dates and we will check availability for you.
If you are staying for more than one day, we can certainly look at a range of suitable times for you.
"Do plan a trip with the Bentley and driver Zane, it’s an experience you won’t forget!"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
AU$271 - AU$395 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
cambridge best western, best western cambridge
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCambridgeshireCambridge
NUMBER OF ROOMS
92
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingGONVILLE HOTEL (AU$271) - 2025 Prices & Reviews (Cambridge, England) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Gonville Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Gonville Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Lockhouse Escape Games (0.2 km), The Piano Bar at De Luca (0.1 km), and The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Gonville Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Gonville Hotel?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and blackout curtains.
What food & drink options are available at Gonville Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Gonville Hotel?
Yes, paid private parking on-site, paid private parking nearby, and paid public parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Gonville Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Golpo Bengal Cafe & Restaurant, Africfood, and The Tiffin Truck - City Center Cambridge.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Gonville Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a fitness centre during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Gonville Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Gonville Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Gonville Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.