Stay Here: The Tamburlaine, CambridgeBy Alicia Grimshaw
In a city which boasts endless independent shops and eateries, you’d be right in thinking Cambridge is overrun with independent hotels. Well, not quite, Cambridge is home to faceless chain hotels, and a few boutique hotels peppered around the city centre. Enter The Tamburlaine, Cambridge’s latest hotel located a minute from the train station, and in the middle of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the area.
There are times in life where you want to escape the sticky London heat, the clammy tube rides, and the 9-5 rat race. There’s only one thing for it; create a killer Spotify playlist, board a train from King’s Cross, arrive in Cambridge in a mere 45 minutes, and check into The Tamburlaine. Here’s what you need to know:
The Tamburlaine: The Lowdown
Opened this year, The Tamburlaine isn’t just a hotel, it’s a destination. Focused not just on the tourist market, but aiming to bring in the locals, The Tamburlaine is vast and you can easily spend hours hanging out in various corners. You can nibble on picture perfect cakes in the garden room, kick back in the library, pull up a chair at the bar and sip on French Martinis, or enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
The Tamburlaine’s striking design is a real draw to the hotel, and pays homage to the famous University. Staff fashion uniform colours and rooms are decked out in the sophisticated colour palate of Cambridge blue. There’s something so special about the decor here; with a mix of classic Cambridge elegance, British grandeur, modern facilities and a top notch restaurant, it’s a one-shop stop for a perfect luxury stay in the famous city.
The Tamburlaine: The Accommodation
The hotel houses 155 rooms, with three types of rooms available: Fresher, Scholar and Dean. The Fresher room, although smaller than the suite-like Dean rooms, have ample space. The bedrooms are full of life and character; think classical interiors with large windows, but with modern touches. By that we mean a dreamy TV in the room and beautiful granite work surfaces. It looks like a really, really good home popped into the heart of Cambridge.
Every room at Tamburlaine features a hand-made King Koil bed (aka the best mattress you will ever be blessed to sleep upon). These luxurious mattresses are then enhanced with a deep duck down topper and dressed with crisp Egyptian cotton. Divine.
The Tamburlaine: The Amenities
The colonial-style Garden Room will have any Pintrest fiend weep with botanical joy. The space has been furnished with stylish velvet sofas, cute planter-esque chairs, and scene-stealing hanging plants. It’s a vision of pink. And it’s where you can enjoy The Tamburlaine’s afternoon tea – think macaroons, homemade scones and clotted cream, and a variety of finger sandwiches.
Meander up the sweeping feature spiral staircase to the Library, a university-inspired corner of the hotel furnished with antique rugs, and mix fabric armchairs. A cosy den teeming with floor to ceilings bookshelves, and dark oak features. And an excellent hideaway to enjoy a morning coffee.
The Tamburlaine: The Food
If there’s one thing to set our hearts racing, it’s breakfast. Forgoing the classic breakfast buffet table littered with multipack cereal boxes and room-temperature yogurt, The Tamburlaine’s concise breakfast menu is far more refined, and tastier too. Tradionlists can revel in eggs Benedict, avocado on toast, and smoked salmon with scrambled egg. Take our word for it and the order the green figs with toasted seeds and Greek yogurt, it’s superb.
For more information, and to book a stay – visit The Tamburlaine’s website here. 27-29 Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2FB. Photo Credit: James McDonald
