Price Range: £
Categories: City Centre, Budget, Corn Exchange, Nightlife, Short Stay, Public Transport Only, University Sightseeing, Co-working Friendly
First published: January 2026
The ultimate "lay your head" location for those visiting the action, but a logistical labyrinth for anyone with a steering wheel. It effectively sits on top of the Grand Arcade shopping centre, placing you in the literal throng of the city.
If you are arriving by car, stop. Arriving at this hotel involves navigating a high-traffic, one-way system that funnels you toward the Grand Arcade multi-story. Parking here is synonymous with eye-watering costs, often exceeding $£45$ per night. It can take the "budget" out of your budget hotel stay. For those who need a budget stay with easy vehicle access, the Newmarket Road hotels are a vastly superior choice.
Forget hotel food! You are a $1$ minute walk from the Market Square stalls ($10:00$–$16:00$). This is the city's best "outdoor canteen" with everything from Thai street food to German sausages and Asian vegan options. For a quick dinner, Shake Shack is right next door.
Pedestrian Pitstop
The ultimate "lay your head" location for those visiting the action, but a logistical labyrinth for anyone with a steering wheel. It effectively sits on top of the Grand Arcade shopping centre, placing you in the literal throng of the city.
Turning right out of the hotel puts you in the Market Square in 60 seconds. King’s College Chapel is a mere 5 minute walk past the stalls. A further $10$ minutes of walking and you're on the iconic backs, with those well known views of the university colleges.
You are staying in the city’s "Arts Quarter," directly beside the Cambridge Corn Exchange and the tropical-themed Kiki nightclub. It is the perfect spot for a maximum $2–3$ night sprint to see the sights or attend a show.
The hotel is a 1.2 mile walk from the station. At a brisk pace, it takes 26 minutes.
The Backpack Train Arrival: If you're traveling light, the walk down Hills Road and Regent Street is a standard Cambridge commute but with a few busy junctions to navigate.
The Wheelie Bag Train Reality: Avoid the walk. The pavements are narrow, uneven, and perpetually crowded. Dragging a suitcase here is an exercise in frustration.
Take a taxi. It’s significantly cheaper than parking and can drop you at the intersection of Guildhall St and Guildhall Pl, within 20 metres of the entrance.
For business travellers, the location is surprisingly functional. The Guildhall co-working space is a 1 minute walk away, offering private meeting rooms for those who need to escape the "throng" for a few hours.
No. The hotel has no on-site parking. You must use the Grand Arcade multi-story, which can cost $£45$ or more per night. If you must drive, the Travelodge or Premier Inn on Newmarket Road (see the links below) are significantly better options. They're easier to reach and often much cheaper.
It isn’t immediately obvious. Walk down the side of Shake Shack and towards the Corn Exchange. Don't go too far though, the entrance is tucked just past Shake Shack. It does not look like a typically welcoming hotel entrance.
Yes. It is unbeatable. You are $300$ metres from the Senate House and the historic core. You are "in the action" the moment you step onto the pavement. But, always consider how you're going to get to the hotel. Think taxi (not car) unless you can stomach the expensive parking.
Verified: 2026-01-16
Ground-truthed by our local research team.