University Arms, Autograph Collection - Cambridge, UK [Master Thread]
Aug 24, 2020, 8:45 am
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
Apologies, took me a while to post. Hopefully I’ll find time to do a proper review too.
Breakfast was included in my Member Welcome Back Rate. Service was better on the first day than the second. It was always friendly and well-intentioned, though. I sensed that some staff members were very new but the important thing was that they were doing their absolute best. They were actually very busy in the restaurant for our entire stay, from breakfast into the evening. The restaurant has a good reputation locally, and it was packed full of locals and other brits the entire time.
Due to covid, there was no buffet available. You essentially ordered all the items you wanted from a menu and they would be delivered to your table. As part of the local covid guidance, the staff tried to minimise their trips to the table, so this did make it more awkward for them to provide the attentive service they wanted to, and were probably used to. The quality of the breakfast items was high and the oats in a jar were particularly tasty. The sausages in the cooked breakfast were also delicious, as were the eggs. Overall, we were both very satisfied with the food.
Decent flat white. Included in breakfast. Strangely one of the staff on day two didn’t seem to think we could have flat whites, but we had already had one. I didn’t press the issue, as English was not their first language, and perhaps I didn’t communicate what I wanted very effectively.
The menu.
Cooked breakfast.
Fruit, oats with chocolate and other accoutrements. There was also fruit juice available, and yoghurt.
Breakfast was included in my Member Welcome Back Rate. Service was better on the first day than the second. It was always friendly and well-intentioned, though. I sensed that some staff members were very new but the important thing was that they were doing their absolute best. They were actually very busy in the restaurant for our entire stay, from breakfast into the evening. The restaurant has a good reputation locally, and it was packed full of locals and other brits the entire time.
Due to covid, there was no buffet available. You essentially ordered all the items you wanted from a menu and they would be delivered to your table. As part of the local covid guidance, the staff tried to minimise their trips to the table, so this did make it more awkward for them to provide the attentive service they wanted to, and were probably used to. The quality of the breakfast items was high and the oats in a jar were particularly tasty. The sausages in the cooked breakfast were also delicious, as were the eggs. Overall, we were both very satisfied with the food.
Decent flat white. Included in breakfast. Strangely one of the staff on day two didn’t seem to think we could have flat whites, but we had already had one. I didn’t press the issue, as English was not their first language, and perhaps I didn’t communicate what I wanted very effectively.
The menu.
Cooked breakfast.
Fruit, oats with chocolate and other accoutrements. There was also fruit juice available, and yoghurt.
Aug 24, 2020, 8:55 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
Slight practical point for anyone thinking of visiting at the moment. The valet parking is not allowed due to covid, so the staff guide you to the car park and watch you park. This is not a barrel of laughs in a tight car park, especially when other guests have parked their SUV partially across the last spot. The parking also costs £30 a day, which is allegedly waived if you book a suite (it says this on the website but I’m unsure what the current policy is). There are perhaps 15 spaces in the entire underground car park, which has the advantage of being secure. They will not hold a space for you, as it is first come first served (apart from suites?). I’m told there is a car park nearby that is a similar rate and you can also park and ride. In fairness, the hotel offers very comprehensive and helpful advice regarding parking. I just stubbornly wanted to park at the hotel as it was a long drive back to the North East, and wanted to be able to be on the roads as quickly as possible. I was not aware that covid protocols forbade valet parking.
Aug 24, 2020, 9:20 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Marriott Rewards
Posts: 423
I did not specifically enquire, I’m afraid, as I am Gold. I would be surprised if the breakfast offering was different for higher elites though.
Slight practical point for anyone thinking of visiting at the moment. The valet parking is not allowed due to covid, so the staff guide you to the car park and watch you park. This is not a barrel of laughs in a tight car park, especially when other guests have parked their SUV partially across the last spot. The parking also costs £30 a day, which is allegedly waived if you book a suite (it says this on the website but I’m unsure what the current policy is). There are perhaps 15 spaces in the entire underground car park, which has the advantage of being secure. They will not hold a space for you, as it is first come first served (apart from suites?). I’m told there is a car park nearby that is a similar rate and you can also park and ride. In fairness, the hotel offers very comprehensive and helpful advice regarding parking. I just stubbornly wanted to park at the hotel as it was a long drive back to the North East, and wanted to be able to be on the roads as quickly as possible. I was not aware that covid protocols forbade valet parking.
Slight practical point for anyone thinking of visiting at the moment. The valet parking is not allowed due to covid, so the staff guide you to the car park and watch you park. This is not a barrel of laughs in a tight car park, especially when other guests have parked their SUV partially across the last spot. The parking also costs £30 a day, which is allegedly waived if you book a suite (it says this on the website but I’m unsure what the current policy is). There are perhaps 15 spaces in the entire underground car park, which has the advantage of being secure. They will not hold a space for you, as it is first come first served (apart from suites?). I’m told there is a car park nearby that is a similar rate and you can also park and ride. In fairness, the hotel offers very comprehensive and helpful advice regarding parking. I just stubbornly wanted to park at the hotel as it was a long drive back to the North East, and wanted to be able to be on the roads as quickly as possible. I was not aware that covid protocols forbade valet parking.
Mar 9, 2021, 7:31 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,360
It looks as though the hotel is no longer part of the Marriott franchise.
You can still book direct....
https://universityarms.com/
You can still book direct....
https://universityarms.com/
Mar 10, 2021, 12:32 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
It looks as though the hotel is no longer part of the Marriott franchise.
You can still book direct....
https://universityarms.com/
You can still book direct....
https://universityarms.com/
Mar 10, 2021, 12:35 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 1,770
Here’s the Marriott website for the hotel: https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/tr...ph-collection/
It’s not uncommon for hotels to have a separate website that isn’t Marriott branded - I’ve seen this with several hotels.
Mar 10, 2021, 4:02 am
#40
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, IHG Spire, AMEX Plat
Posts: 595
Mar 10, 2021, 4:20 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,017
Very much still showing as available for May dates onwards when the hotel is expected to be able to reopen. No warnings about it leaving Marriott, so I would assume it is business as usual as part of Bonvoy.
Jun 10, 2021, 1:45 am
#44
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Surrey
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, Eurostar CB, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 435
Jun 10, 2021, 1:47 am
#45
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
From what I gather last year they are pretty good on the upgrade front, however this Summer is a different game looking at rates and demand. Would be good to get a few more recent data points.