For our Cambridge Staycation, the Clever Boyfriend and I checked into the charming Hotel du Vin. Although I’d passed this Cambridge institution many a time, thinking how warm and twinkly and iniviting it looked on dark evenings, I’d never actually set foot inside. But what a gem it is! Set in a former Cambridge University building (which in part dates back to the city’s mediaeval origins) right in the centre of town, it feels so perfectly ‘Cambridge’ with it’s dim, cosy rooms and stone-fronted facade.
After a day spent pretending to be tourist in Cambridge, we dressed up and went for a dinner date in the hotel’s bistro (classic, French-influenced dishes and the most enormous servings). We stopped for a cocktail in the wonderfully dim, labyrinth cellar bar which felt rather how you’d imagine an aristocrat’s wine cellar should feel; more varieties of wine than one could fathom, a cigar supply and big squishy leather couches hiding in private nooks that feel like the setting for smoky late night conversations between the city’s intellectuals. But afterwards, struck by a wave of nostalgia, I was powerless against the lure of the dark library (which reminded me of my father’s old study); fully stocked with old leather-bound books and boardgames. There, as we ate our dessert (me: a sublime dark chocolate tart, him: a bowl of autumn fruit sorbets made that day), the Clever Boyfriend and I spent at what felt like hours playing games of Cluedo around the fireplace into the small hours of the evening.
And in that, I found a new favourite Cambridge haunt, for I can think of few better ways to spend a dark Cambridge evening that lingering in cellar bars and playing games in a library.
Have you discovered any new gems in your city lately? I’d love to hear about them if so!
Love, Miss B xx
Hotel du Vin, 15-19 Trumpington Street Cambridge. Briony was a happy guest of the hotel.
Big fan of the Hotel du Vin chain, there’s one in my home town and my friends and I always go to the bar there for Christmas Eve Champagne. I’ve never seen any Cluedo there though, must ask next time – love your pic of the Cluedo board with the bar behind it x
It’s so fun to pretend to be a tourist where you live. Always realize again and again how everything just depends on how you look at it. And a beauty of being a tourist is looking everything through fresh eyes.
xxxx
M
My husband and I stayed in the luxurious ‘Wolfblass’ suite for a few nights after our Cambridgeshire wedding last May, before departing for our honeymoon. (The couples set of open-plan roll top baths were a great feature.) We often visit the Bistro and the cellar bar and have always had wonderful service, divine dishes and perfectly blended cocktails. It is without doubt, our favourite Cambridge haunt…so thank you for promoting it X
It looks beautiful!
Gorgeous! Can’t wait to go and stay there myself in a few weeks!
Have fun in Paris lovely!
Olivia xx
Ah Hotel Du Vin, we have a beautiful one in Winchester (worth a visit). Glad you enjoyed x
What a beautiful hotel!
Ah Love the Hotel du Vin chain. We stayed in one in Winchester a couple of years back – they really are perfect for relaxing in style and shutting the rest of the world away for a while. Your room looked gorgeous… as does that bowl of sorbet! Hope you had a wonderful time in Paris and can’t wait to hear all about it! xxx
Love Hotel du Vins in general. The one in Birmingham is gorgeous; it’s in the financial district on the edge of town (big old beautiful buildings!). It used to be an old eye hospital. I love the interior; high vaulted ceilings, panelled walls, chandeliers, big waxy candles, magnum bottles of vintage champagne, marble, and muted lighting. It has a great ‘Bubble Lounge’! The dining room is beautiful also, and the food spot on. Glad you enjoyed your stay – the room looks beautiful, oh and I know the sorbet is gorgeous! xx
This sounds so wonderful! Will have to make a point of visiting some of the others (I’m yet to hear a bad word about any of them)
B xx
Looks fab! Also I spied your Lulu Lips clutch too :)! There is a du vin hotel in Glasgow which I love also. x
That Lulu lips clutch was just made to be taken out on the town, and for evenings when the mood calls for dressing up for dinner
B xx
Great staycation posts! I may be in Cambridge later this year and I’m looking for ideas on where to stay and what to do. Love your blog!