Polished and predictable, it lacks the historic soul of the centre, but trades it for the best soundproofing and gym facilities in the station zone. For a more 'business friendly' stay near the station, this could be a great find.
Because the hotel is located in one of the newer and character devoid parts of Cambridge, you really lose out on the true feeling of the city. You’re in a great location for the local international firms but not for the real Cambridge experience.
Most guests follow the herd down Hills Road to get to the center, which is a fine way to see the city. But instead, walk 3 minutes from the hotel to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, walk out the hotel and turn right walk for about 5 minutes and the entrance is just across the road. For an entry fee, you can walk through the gardens and exit on the Bateman Road side. It completely bypasses the traffic, cuts through the city’s most beautiful greenery, and drops you right by the Fitzwilliam Museum. It’s the "Fixer" way to turn a boring commute into a high-end experience.
Executive Polish
The Clayton occupies a more refined corner of the Station Road redevelopment, positioned as the "Premium Gateway" to the city. While it shares the same incredible transit connectivity as the nearby ibis, the Clayton feels less like a commuter pitstop and more like a corporate anchor. Berlin, Canary Wharf or Cambridge, looking out of this hotel you wouldn’t know. If you are here for a meeting at the international tech firms next door, or you want the station convenience without the "budget" aesthetic, this is your winner.
The walk from the station effortless with no roads to cross. With the reasonably recent developments in the area, the pavement is smooth, well designed and easy to navigate, even with heavy roller bags.
The immediate surroundings are defined by glass-fronted global headquarters like Apple and Microsoft. This gives the area a "Global Tech Hub" energy. Because of the heavy residential and professional population, the neighborhood remains vibrant and well-lit well into the evening, offering a sense of security for late-night arrivals.
Yes, the hotel is easily walkable in fact, it’s about a 3 minute walk from the (central) station. As you leave the station main building, walk directly straight. The taxi rank is on your right. Keep going straight. It’s a smooth pavement with no road crossings. The hotel will be on your right.
From the central station, you could but it’s a short walk. It would take you significantly longer by taxi than it would walking.
Surprisingly, yes. Even though The Clayton sits on the busy Station Road which leads up to the central train station, the redevelopment routed taxis away from this area spreading the traffic load. The hotel is modern and well designed making your stay quiet, even for a busy and business centric location.
features some of the best acoustic glazing in the city. While the ibis nearby feels the 'vibration' of the station, the Clayton is built like a vault. If you are a light sleeper, this is the most reliable 'silent' option in the Station Road redevelopment zone.
You don't need to leave the area. You are 90 seconds away from Gail's Bakery for a quick bite or 'Station Terrace' for something more formal. The immediate area is designed for the 9-to-5 professional, so everything is geared toward speed and quality. For a working lunch whether catching up on emails or relationship building, the area is well equipped.
You are paying for convenience and modern standards, not historic charm. Often, the Clayton is priced similarly to hotels closer to the centre of Cambridge. The 'Truth' is: you choose the Clayton for the 3-minute walk to the office or train, not for a romantic view of the colleges. It is an executive tool, not a tourist retreat.