Located 40 metres further from the city centre than the Travelodge. It’s a newer build with superior soundproofing, but you’ll feel those extra few minutes of walking when you’re heading back from town.
The 'City East' title is a marketing stretch, you are firmly in a retail and trade zone. While the rooms are quieter due to modern glazing, the immediate surroundings feel very urban with a junction and traffic lights right outside. It lacks the 'historic' feel of the city, so prepare for a purely functional environment until you walk at least 15 minutes toward the center.
This hotel shares a boundary with Majestic Wines. If you are attending a graduation or a party at one of the nearby terrace houses in Petersfield, this is the ultimate logistical win. Also, the on-site parking is tighter and more expensive than the nearby multi-story. If you have a large van or 4x4, save yourself the stress and use the Grafton Center car park instead of the hotel lot.
A more modern, slightly quieter alternative to the nearby budget giants. Better for business.
Turning right out of the hotel puts you at the heart of the Newmarket Road retail cluster. You are seconds away from a Starbucks and a Pizza Hut if you need a low-effort meal, but the real local gems are found by cutting through the backstreets. A 12-minute walk takes you to The Blue Moon, a local favorite for craft beer and sourdough pizza with a great alternative vibe. For a longer walk, head toward the River Cam (about 12 minutes). You'll find the Cambridge Museum of Technology with its iconic chimney stack and host to the local Kerb Collective coffee. If you're heading to the train station, avoid walking with heavy luggage. The route winds through residential Petersfield and the pavements are notoriously narrow and uneven for 'wheelie' bags. Use the Veezu app for a local taxi. While you're slightly further out than the Travelodge, you're actually slightly closer to the Beehive Centre and Asda, which is handy for a long-stay refresh or grabbing supplies for the road.
It’s a solid choice. Premier Inn’s 'kids eat free' breakfast is a major budget-saver. While the walk to the historic center is about 25 minutes, the proximity to the Beehive Centre retail park (with a massive Asda, M&S food, TK Max and more) makes it very easy to manage snacks and emergency supplies for children.
Extremely. The area is dominated local residents and retail parks. It is well-lit and feels secure at night, though the walk back from the city centre can feel a bit 'urban'.
Unlike the Travelodge next door, this Premier Inn generally does not allow pets (aside from assistance dogs). If you are traveling with a dog, you should stick to the Travelodge.
It has on-site private parking, but it is chargeable and limited. It’s often cramped. If the hotel lot is full, the Grafton East multi-story is only a 4-minute walk away and offers much more space for larger vehicles.
The Travelodge hotel is right next door and outside the front of that hotel is a bus stop that takes you directly into town. Otherwise, the walk is about 25 minutes or so and feels more ‘Cambridge’ after about 10 minutes. A taxi is a great option and won’t break the bank because of the Cambridge’s relatively small size.