Price Range: ££££
Categories: Boutique, Romantic, Fitzwilliam Museum, Wine & Dine, Judge Business School, Central, Graduation, Pet Friendly, Botanic Garden
First published: January 2026
The Hotel Du Vin is Cambridge's understated sophisticate. It doesn't grandly announce itself like the University Arms - it belongs to the city, blending into Trumpington Street's historic fabric while quietly signalling that this is a classy joint.
The location is the real story. You're a one-minute walk from the Fitzwilliam Museum, two minutes from Judge Business School, and eight minutes from punting on the Cam. This is central Cambridge without being in the chaos - close enough to walk everywhere, far enough to feel like you've escaped.
But be clear: this is a hotel for arrivals by taxi, not by car. The parking situation is genuinely problematic, and no amount of boutique charm compensates for a 12-minute trudge from Queen Anne Terrace car park in the rain.
There is no hotel parking. None. The nearest options are Queen Anne Terrace (0.5 miles, 12-minute walk) or Grand Arcade (0.4 miles, 10-minute walk). Both are expensive. Both involve walking along busy streets that feel entirely un-regal compared to the hotel's sophisticated vibe.
If you're driving for a single night and it's raining, this hotel becomes significantly less appealing. For multi-day stays where you park once and forget about it, the walk is tolerable. For a quick overnight, consider the University Arms (valet) or Graduate (on-site parking) instead.
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is an 8-minute walk away, but most guests would head to the main entrance on Hills Road. Don't.
Instead, walk to the Bateman Street entrance near Brookside. It's a lesser-known back entrance with shorter queues, and you emerge right by the quaint garden shop. It's the "locals only" way in, and it turns a standard tourist visit into something more refined.
Understated Sophisticate. Blends In But Stands Out.
Hotel Du Vin sits at 15-19 Trumpington Street, an amalgamation of adjoined historic buildings, thoughtfully combined into a single boutique property. The signage is classy and subtle - it doesn't distract from the streetscape but you won't miss it either.
What makes this location special is the context. Directly opposite, iron fencing and well-established trees create a surprisingly leafy screen. A minute's walk brings you to the Fitzwilliam Museum's grand façade. A minute further is the Judge Business School. The combination gives this stretch of street an academic grandeur that elevates your stay.
Something the brochure won't mention, Trumpington Street features historic drainage channels that were once the city's fresh water supply. They've been maintained for aesthetics and function, running directly beside the pavement.
This creates a quirk for arrivals. When stepping out of a taxi, you need to find one of the metal plates placed over the channel to get onto the pavement safely - especially if you're wearing anything other than trainers. Watch drivers parking nearby and you'll see them carefully avoiding putting a wheel in the channel. It's charming and historic, but be aware.
Outside of rush hour and weekends, Trumpington Street at this point feels surprisingly peaceful for a city location. Traffic exists but moves slowly, crossing the road is easy enough. The pavement is fairly narrow with boutique shops and cafés lining the street, but it never feels too cramped.
At busy times (weekends, rush hour), this becomes a stop-start traffic artery. Not unpleasant, but noticeably urban. The hotel's position means you're in the city rather than observing it from a distance - you step out onto real Cambridge pavements, not into a protected hotel bubble.
vs The Gonville: The Gonville feels separated from the city, blocked in by busy roads. Hotel Du Vin has you stepping directly into the streetscape. More connected, more urban, more Cambridge.
vs The University Arms: Both sit on the Regent Street / Trumpington Street axis. The University Arms has grander arrival logistics but Hotel Du Vin edges it for immediate neighbourhood walking.
vs The Graduate: The Graduate has the river and Coe Fen - genuine tranquility. Hotel Du Vin trades riverside peace for being closer to the action. Different propositions entirely.
The taxi stops directly outside on Trumpington Street. There's no dedicated pull-in area, so at busy times you're stepping out into mild street activity. Find the metal plates over the water channels to step safely onto the pavement. The hotel is well-known in Cambridge - any driver will find it without difficulty.
From the train station, expect a fare of a few pounds for a journey of roughly 5-7 minutes depending on traffic.
By Car
The Brutal Truth: Don't.
Hotel Du Vin has no parking. Zero. This is the hotel's biggest weakness for drivers.
Your options:
Queen Anne Terrace: 0.5 miles away, realistic 12-minute walk. Expensive.
Grand Arcade: 0.4 miles away, realistic 10-minute walk. Also expensive.
On-street parking: Very limited, paid, and not a viable primary option.
The walk from either car park is along fairly busy streets with some large junctions to navigate. It is a thoroughly un-regal arrival compared to the hotel's boutique sophistication. If it's raining, it's miserable.
The Reality Check: For a multi-day stay where you park once and forget about it, the parking situation is manageable. For a single night - especially in bad weather, this is a significant negative. Consider The University Arms (valet) or The Graduate (on-site parking) if driving is non-negotiable.
This hotel suffers no bus gates or one-way nightmares on the approach, at least. Small mercies.
Don't. Take a taxi.
It's a 30-minute walk with a roller bag, and it's as unpleasant as the walk to the Hilton City Centre. The pavements are generally good but narrow in places you'll be weaving around pedestrians constantly.
If you insist: Down Station Road (easy enough), then right onto Hills Road. Google Maps suggests Lensfield Road, but for a slightly longer but more pleasant route, take Bateman Street and then Brookside. At least a third of that walk gives you genuine Cambridge feel rather than main-road trudging plus most of the walk is much quieter than Google's suggestion.
Comparison: The University Arms is a much easier walk from the station. The Graduate is longer and has similar problems to Hotel Du Vin.
0.6 miles, a realistic 15 minutes with roller bags. Through the town centre, busy, not pleasant with luggage.
Verdict: Taxi. It's walkable if you must, but why would you?
Winner. This is the hero option.
You're a 2-minute walk from Judge Business School with no streets to cross.
For visiting lecturers, external examiners, or anyone with business at the school who can afford boutique luxury and isn't reliant on parking, this is the obvious choice. The location is unmatched for this specific situation.
Winner. The museum is literally a 1-minute walk plus road crossing time.
If your Cambridge trip centres on the Fitzwilliam - an exhibition, a special event, or simply a love of the collection - no other hotel puts you this close. You can pop back to the room between galleries.
Strong contender.
Standing outside, it feels romantic. The understated sophistication, the leafy street opposite, the proximity to evening strolls through historic Cambridge - it delivers. The evening walk potential is excellent, either into town or slightly outside the centre.
However, the Graduate by Hilton offers riverside tranquility that Hotel Du Vin can't match. If your romantic weekend prioritises punting-on-the-doorstep and morning walks along the Cam, the Graduate wins. If you want to be in the city with better restaurant walking distance, Hotel Du Vin takes it, but it's close. Honestly, this decision might come down to parking or your expected interior vibe.
Strong contender.
Well-positioned for graduation logistics. Senate House is walkable, the surrounding streets are perfect for family photos, and celebration dinner options are plentiful within walking distance.
But for pure graduation convenience, the University Arms and Graduate both edge it slightly - the former for prestige and arrival ease, the latter for calm riverside family gathering space.
The obvious choice.
The Hotel Du Vin brand is built around wine and bistro dining. Even without reviewing the interior, the location puts you in one of Cambridge's better dining corridors. Brown's is nearby with many independent options abound. If your trip revolves around eating and drinking well, the location supports this.
Mixed.
There are no co-working spaces in the immediate vicinity, and taxi availability requires calling ahead (Veezu app, or the hotel can arrange). For city-centre business meetings, it works. For anything requiring regular transport logistics, the Hilton City Centre is more practical or if you don't mind staying closer to the train station but with excellent connectivity to the city's businesses, consider The Clayton - a business travellers hero.
Not really.
There's nothing nearby specifically for children - no parks within immediate range, limited family-friendly eating options. The pavement is pushchair-navigable but the overall vibe is couples and professionals, not families.
Workable, but not ideal.
Dogs are accepted at £25 per night for one dog or £40 for two (prices verified January 2026). Limited pet-friendly rooms are available - book ahead and speak to the hotel directly. Dogs are allowed in some areas including the bar.
Green space reality: Coe Fen is 0.3 miles (7 minutes), Parker's Piece is 0.4 miles (8 minutes). Both are viable for walks but neither is 'on-the-doorstep' convenience. Note that both spaces have exits where a dog could leave - good recall required.
Comparison: The Graduate by Hilton sits directly beside Coe Fen and is the better choice for serious dog owners. The University Arms is right on Parker's Piece and is a great pet-friendly hotel.
No. The hotel has no parking whatsoever. The nearest options are Queen Anne Terrace car park (0.5 miles, 12-minute walk) or Grand Arcade car park (0.4 miles, 10-minute walk). Both are expensive, and the walk is along busy streets. For drivers, this is the hotel's biggest weakness.
Technically yes, but don't. It's a realistic 30-minute walk with luggage along busy streets with narrow pavements. Take a taxi, it's a 5-7 minute journey and the only sensible arrival option from the train station.
Virtually opposite, a 1-minute walk plus road crossing. This is the closest hotel to the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge, making it the obvious choice for museum-focused visits.
Yes. The understated boutique vibe, leafy street setting, and excellent walking access to central Cambridge make it a strong romantic choice. The Graduate by Hilton offers more riverside tranquility, but Hotel Du Vin puts you closer to restaurant and evening stroll options.
The nearest punting access is 0.3 miles away, roughly an 8-minute walk. Not on-the-doorstep like the Graduate by Hilton, but easily accessible for a punt during your stay.
It's the best option. Judge Business School is a 2-minute walk with no streets to cross. For visiting lecturers, external examiners, or conference attendees who want boutique luxury near the school, this is the obvious choice.
Yes, with conditions. Dogs cost £25 per night (one) or £40 (two). Limited rooms available - book ahead. Dogs allowed in some areas including the bar. Nearest green space is Coe Fen (7 minutes) or Parker's Piece (8 minutes). Workable but the Graduate by Hilton is better for dog owners.
Different propositions. The University Arms offers grander arrival (valet parking), more prestige, and easier access from the station. Hotel Du Vin offers more intimate boutique character, better immediate neighbourhood for walking, and proximity to the Fitzwilliam. Both feel equally "Cambridge." Choose University Arms if driving; Hotel Du Vin if arriving by taxi for a foodie/romantic stay.
The Graduate has riverside tranquility, on-site parking, and Coe Fen on the doorstep - better for peace, dogs, and drivers. Hotel Du Vin is closer to restaurants and central Cambridge - better for foodies, romantic walks into town, and Fitzwilliam visits. Graduate for nature; Hotel Du Vin for urban sophistication.
Use the Bateman Street entrance to the Botanic Garden instead of the main Hills Road entrance. It's an 8-minute walk, has shorter queues, and puts you by the quaint garden shop. Most tourists don't know about it.
Verified: 2026-01-25
Ground-truthed by our local research team.