Romantic Retreat

Kat Hannon enjoyed a love affair with The Fellows House Cambridge from the Curio Collection by Hilton

Simply a magical corner of the world for a perfect romantic getaway; The Fellows House is situated in the most idyllic setting, and is just a five minute stroll to one of the most picturesque parks on the outskirts of the town, Jesus Green. 

Positioned north of the city, the atmosphere sweeps you up, transporting you to a place that exudes lavish luxury as well as that calming, countryside charm that makes us feel at home. The scene is scattered with beautiful, wind-swept willow trees and dainty little riverboats, encapsulating that quintessentially British aesthetic. If you wander into the park, you will be follow winding paths that lead you into the buzz and decadence of the historical city we know as Cambridge.

From here, you can treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon on one of Cambridge’s famous riverboats. After all, you simply cannot go to Cambridge without an authentic punting experience. If you have a hankering for some more educational activities, why not explore the city’s marvellous historical sites from the renowned universities to the breathtaking architecture.

To my surprise, I was also very impressed with the bustling retail scene; you would be stunned at how many independent shops and unique boutiques have survived the pandemic. Given that I was lucky enough to visit before Christmas, I was able to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts that I haven’t seen anywhere else; I may have bought myself a few little things as well.

If you feel too tired for the hustle of the city centre, you could always mosey down to the park and spend a lazy day flicking through your favourite novel; being in such a historical place really makes you crave those literature classics… If you fancy inviting a few friends, you could also opt for a little picnic with your favourite nibbles and a bottle of bubbly.

Restaurant & Bars

To my delight, as you stroll along the cobbled streets, you are greeted by an abundance of cosy pubs, classy restaurants and quaint little cafes, enough to keep you occupied for a whole month! In fact, I found it difficult to tear myself away from the delectable cuisine and sophisticated cocktail bars as they made me feel like a true lady of leisure. Of course, there is an atmosphere to suit every taste in Cambridge; you may not feel like a sophisticated evening in black-tie attire, but instead a lunch at The Senate which gives off those cool, hipster vibes that make you feel 22 again! If you are a foodie, then The Senate will not disappoint…the food was delicious, offering fresh, flavourful, platters that will certainly satisfy your appetite. However, the experience would not be complete without a cheeky glass of wine which went beautifully with the main course.

Another café you may want to try is The Sage of Cambridge, a little gem within The Fellows Hotel itself. From the outside, you are drawn in by the cute, contemporary style, making it feel modern and rustic at the same time; on the left, as you look in, it appears to be part of the hotel but on the same note, it possesses its own unique identity. Really cute. And as I soaked up the ambience, you can’t help but feel immediately relaxed with the staff ensuring that you are welcomed in with open arms. Coffee was obviously sampled first, and I have to say that it was certainly a five star morning brew; but of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a freshly made blueberry muffin. It may sound insignificant but it’s the little things like this that set you up for the day. To have this cafe in the hotel was a gorgeous touch and it made my stay all the more pleasurable.

 The Sage’s unique concept of the café turning into a bar in the evening, it’s simply genius, it was a welcome surprise. In the evening, we enjoyed our very own cocktail making class, and I must admit, I did make some cracking cocktails. Our drinks were made even better as the evening progressed because we got to witness the natural light filtering through the large glass windows. There really is nothing like having a homemade cocktail while watching the sunset.

Guest Rooms, Suite & Wellbeing

Another time to shine for The Fellows House is their gorgeous accommodation, it’s having your very own apartment within the hotel. As you walk into the room, you will appreciate the spacious living space and, of course, the large, cosy beds that encourage you to draw the curtains and shut the world out. Who could resist leaping onto a freshly made hotel bed? I could even do a double roll on mine!!

The kitchen and living space were separate from the bedroom, laid out as an open lounge area that you could just hunker down in. Sometimes, even when you are away, it’s nice to have a lethargic day just sipping cups of tea and flicking through Vanity Fair in your pyjamas. The bathrooms are lovely and large with fabulous walk-in showers that radiate relaxation; the space just made me feel so pampered, giving me the perfect opportunity to kick back and take some much needed time for myself; the entire experience offered the perfect combination of home comforts and lavish living

Although I was on holiday, I still looked forward to my morning gym session, and I was delighted by the fabulous gym facilities at the hotel. After working up a sweat in training, I indulged in some self-care in the calming sauna and steam rooms; there is nothing I love more than a little spa session after a work-out. To cool off from the glorious heat of the sauna, I took a lengthy dip in the pool whilst putting the world to rights and having a chin wag with my friend. The Fellows House is one of those places where you simply lose time, you could easily spend an afternoon here and forget about the city and indulge in some you time.

My Top Tips For Your Stay

Rent a bike: Get your cycle on and rent a bike from the hotel. Anyone who’s anyone in Cambridge is pictured on a bike, and what better way to explore the city? Cambridge is filled with bike traffic, so you want to fit in with all the bike savvy locals; it’s a wonderful way of getting around, and it allows you to see more than you would on foot.

Get a guide: So, of course, there are individuals offering tour guides to show you the key historical locations.  It is truly fascinating to hear about how the buildings and landmarks link to famous figures throughout time. If you want to make the most of your trip, then a guide is definitely a must because it’s educational, interesting and really helpful in terms of getting your bearings. Learning where all the cool spots are will help you to plan your days better, so I’d recommend doing this early on in your stay. My tour guide was an absolute blast, not only knowledgeable but also a comedy genius! I felt like I’d been on a show!

Punting!  Don’t you dare miss that. Unless you get seasick, that will be the only reason I accept and even then, you should just power through to get the all-round Cambridge experience.

Stay for 3 nights. I certainly needed longer, lots to see and do and revisit. It was very easy to spend half a day relaxing at Fellows, and then half a day in the city. So I’d say make it longer and to get a real taste for the city, and enjoy the exquisite home from home experience that The Fellows House has to offer. 

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton,

www.hilton.com

---

Hungry for more?

Read up on the latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends in FEATURES, or browse a curated selection of our FEATURED PRODUCTS, meander through our guide to the finest things to do in Cheshire and beyond in WHATS ON or partake in our COMPETITIONS.

About The CHESHIRE Magazine

We are the definitive guide to luxury lifestyle in the North West. Latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends. The Cheshire Magazine is the largest luxury lifestyle title for the North West of England, dropping directly through the letterboxes of VIP subscribers from the Wirral to Greater Manchester plus all the villages and towns in between and digitally available as a subscription in print and digital on issuu.com worldwide. We specialise in connecting luxury brands to likeminded consumers.

If you are interested on how you can partner with The CHESHIRE Magazine, read more about us. Or get in touch to find out more about marketing, featuring or partnering with the Cheshire Magazine in print or online.