Best Western Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Gonville Place, Cambridge, CB1 1LY
3  

Our hotel is an independent family hotel in the heart of one of the worlds most famed, historic and beautiful cities. The Gonville Hotel will make sure that you... more

 

£ Rooms from £114 (≈ $201) per night
Enter your dates of stay to see rooms to book

7/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
7/10 Check-in process
7/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
7/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
7/10 Performance of staff
7/10 Overall experience
8/10 Overall value for money
  • 3/10 Michele ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from London , GB  on  September 29, 2007

    The rooms at the front of hotel are very noisy due to the proximity of a busy road. There is no air conditioning in the front rooms. There was no drinking water in the room. The wicker furniture in the dining room was extremely uncomfortable.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 9, 2006

    Friendly staff, efficient service.

    Food ordered on room service was not properly cooked.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  September 5, 2006

    Location

    The room smelt strongly of chemicals. the hotel is full of instructions and warning messages - quite obnoxious in total, in addition to one asking clients to speak clearly in English to foreign staff

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Joseph ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Werchter , BE  on  October 3, 2008

    No availability of European power plugs.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  September 26, 2008

    Clean, convenient location

    Noisy, toilet worked poorly, food was surprisingly poor

  • 9/10 Anthony ( Mature couple) 

    from Twickenham , GB  on  August 19, 2008

    "Very pleasant." (107294875)

    Lovely hotel. Everything as described and promised on the website. Very pleasant staff. Very comfortable

    We were not made aware that there was no option for a continental breakfast. We only had coffee, orange juice and a bowl of fruit. We were surprised having to pay for a full cooked breakfast. It would be nice if you offered a continental breakfast option.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Family with older children) 

    on  August 13, 2008

    Good location

  • 9/10 D ( Mature couple) 

    from Durham , GB  on  May 1, 2008

    "Booking could be easy and the information provided for approaching the hotel was good. On arrival it couldn't be better. The care and welcome was much appreciated. During the stay the food and guidence of staff was most pleasing. Thw wine list met the tast buds for the most best of menues." (97657702)

    Excellent and the staff cared for us was great. Thank you

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  April 23, 2008

    Staff were all very friendly especially the young poles, who had just started.

    Tea at breakfast genuinely horrible from a flask, tea pot is not to much to ask,expect this in America. Heard several other people comment on the tea.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 28, 2006

    Well decorated clean rooms

    Attitude of receptionist staff when checking out

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  December 9, 2006

    "It is expensive in comparison with other Cambridge hotels offering a similar level of accommodation." (99505692)

    There was no feeling of welcome at any point during the stay. A sign in the lift regarding the return of room keys gives a clear indication of the general tone of this hotel. Notices in the rooms furnish other examples.

  • 9/10 Julian ( Mature couple) 

    from Seaton , United Kingdom;GB  on  November 6, 2006

    Hotel location; large comfortable room.

    Two single beds pushed together to make a double bed.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  October 14, 2006

    Large room, with good views

    Miss up with the rooms, and had to share a room.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 28, 2006

    "I enjoyed my stay, the staff were very good, the room was clean, tidy and comfortable. I would have liked to have known that there was a charge for using the internet in my room." (3304342188)

    The room was a good size, and well appointed

    The intergrated TV/internet etc. dissapointed that this equipment did not work very well, and that there was a fee for using broadband. This reflects poorly with other places I have stayed recently.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  September 2, 2006

    convenient location; more space in room and downstairs than we've found elsewhere in 10 years of Cambridge hotels; helpful staff

    nothing!

  • 9/10 Geoffrey ( Mature couple) 

    from Nantwich , United Kingdom;GB  on  March 16, 2006

    "Given that I found the hotel purely from an internet search and had no prior knowledge, we were very pleased with the accommodation. The bar food was very good too." (3304276030)

    Location - environment - pleasant service - quick and easy

    No shower hat - no face cloth

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 16, 2006

    "My only quam was that it was a 99 pound hotel. As an American traveller this is fairly pricey for a hotel. I understand the price is not too expensive for a British traveller but otherwise it can add up. It was very well kept and the room was nice. It would have been nice to have a fan since there was no air conditioning but the hotel is very nice. I would definitely stay here again." (99417021)

    The room were very nice and clean and the two young ladies at the front desk were very nice people.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 16, 2006

    "stay was ok: nice non smoking room, on good location expensive breakfast" (3305148608)

    good location nice room no smoking room

    very expensive breakfast we came by ferry and booked the hotel 2 days later I saw that I could heve booked the hotel for 1 night and the ferry for the same price as i payd for the ferry alone.

  • 7/10 Philip ( Family with older children) 

    from Dronfield , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 14, 2006

    "Overall reasonably happy and value was fair. The points above if corrected would move the value up to good." (3305173277)

    Position. Car parking adequate and free. Helpful staff. Clean and no significant problems

    Bathroom cramped and a hole in lino.(Room 223) Breakfast; The only option was expensive full breakfast and no lower cost continental style. ie a bowl of cereal was £12 if nothing else was taken. Air-conditioner made no difference to room temperature.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 8, 2006

    "I did think single rooms were a thing of the past but it was a reasonable size." (3305062556)

    Very good situation handy for local amenities

    Key card did not work on check in and on return at one am

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 27, 2006

    Good location

    Nothing of note

  • 9/10 Sue ( Young couple) 

    from Mundesley , United Kingdom;GB  on  July 18, 2006

    "No problems fining hotel, we were given a map by staff on our arrival and this helped us find all we needed to. lovely breakfast to." (3304787086)

    clean friendly staff close to station and city

    n/a

  • 7/10 Andrew ( Mature couple) 

    from Leeds , United Kingdom;GB  on  July 4, 2006

    "Should have asked for room with view" (3304563029)

    In central Cambridge, large spacious room-comfortable

    Breakfast not included yet hefty room charge of £135/Fri night

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 25, 2006

    "As above" (3304702314)

    The central location was very good for walking to nearby shops and restaurants and watching activities associated with the river and university

    n/a

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  May 4, 2006

    Location was excellent, staff were friendly

    Double bed was two singles pushed together. Breakfast at nearly £12 per person was far too costly

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 27, 2006

    "No more to say." (3304538609)

    Clean, well serviced bedroom and efficient and well prepared breakfast

    Decoration poor (but not unlike most hotels). Breakfast seemed expensive compared to prices in city.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  April 17, 2006

    spacious and comfortable

    location a little far from centre of city

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 15, 2006

    "Wenn es denn ein Hotelaufenthalt sein muss und möglichst in zentraler Lage, dann ist das Hotel in die engere Wahl mit einzubeziehen. Wenngleich ich bisher in noch keinem europäischem Land ein so unzutreffendes Preis/Leistungsverhältnis angetroffen habe. Bei einem umgerechneten Preis von € 140.- die Nacht noch mal € 15.- für ein Frühstück zu berechnen halte ich für nicht angemessen. Von der angesprochenen Sanierung im Hause konnte man ein wenig erkennen, der Speisesaal und die Lobby waren recht ansehnlich, die nicht renovierten Treppenaufgänge waren aber nicht akzeptierbar. Ebenso die relativ dünnen Wände welche mich unmittelbar an dem Erlebten der Zimmernachbarn beteiligen ließen." (3305103058)

    Die Parkmöglichkeiten und die zentrale Lage sind sehr gut. Das Personal war freundlich.

    Ich bin in de letzen Jahren (20 Jahren) in sehr vielen Ländern und verschiedenen Hotels gewesen. Das Preis/ Leistungsverhältnis in UK ist jedoch völlig unzureichend. Bei einem Übernachtungspreis von L UK 99.- nochmals L UK 11.- für ein Frühstück zu berechnen, halte ich für nicht angemessen. Auch bei bester zentraler Lage.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  January 19, 2006

    It was very clean and cozy.

    The breakfast restaurant was lousy. Service was probelm.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  January 18, 2006

    Roomy clean

    We could have done with a shower cap and the bed had been badly made the lower sheet had not been tucked in.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  December 15, 2005

    "I found the staff very helpful epecially a dark haired young man who seemed to be in charge of the dining area and also the car parking arrangements the next day. I also found the barman helpful and friendly and also the receptionists. I was a single woman travelling alone and found the hotel to be friendly and comfortable even when I had a drink on my own in the bar area. The evening meal was also very good. In fact the only disappointments were the en-suite as mentioned above and the lack of choice re TV channels" (3304015565)

    the view from the room and the furniture was comfortable much better than expected

    standard of bathroom fittings felt it was dingy and the shower curtain was stained depite having been washed

  • 3/10 David ( Young couple) 

    from Mexborough , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 10, 2005

    "This is a copy of an email sent to the Gonville Hotel 8/7/05 My wife and I stayed at your hotel on the night of the 6th August as part of our wedding anniversary weekend and we were quite disappointed with the standard of accommodation that was offered for the cost. Whilst the hotel reception and the dining room and bar areas are of a reasonable standard, the bedroom that we stayed in left a lot to be desired. The décor was drab and uninspiring; the bathroom in particular was very poor with 1980’s vinyl flooring, B&Q style cabinets, a shower head that had a mind of its own and a shower curtain that clung onto your leg for dear life! Apparently, according to the receptionist, this is because some of the hotel is ‘new’ and we stayed in the ‘old’ part – maybe ‘new’ and ‘old’ rates should reflect this. I would say that your hotel is charging Hilton prices whilst only offering Travelodge quality and this combination is sure to disappoint. Needless to say a return visit will not be on the cards. This was also the view of two other couples we spoke to whilst checking out. Kind regards, Dave Jones" (2607791)

    The bar and reception area were quite pleasant

    Standard of rooms, decor, pricing structure.

  • 7/10 Lysbeth ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Leamington spa , United Kingdom;GB  on  August 9, 2005

    "I wasn't aware when I booked the room that breakfast was an additional charge. Although there were net curtians at bedroo windows that we vould see from our room, we did not have nets and had to keep the heavy curtains closed for privacy. On a hot day, this was unpleasant. Although there was a £10 coupon for the hotel restaurant, there was no menu in the room to tempt one so we chose to book a meal at Loch Fyne where we knew what we would get and that it would be value for money. The young woman on the desk was extremely helpful but we were concerned that she was working excessively long hours. The office manager was unhelpful and unaware of the queue building at reception as he dealt somewhat tersely with another customer's query over his bill. As a result, I had to wait nearly 15 minutes to check out and was almost late for my appointment." (2344422)

    Location Hotle staff were happy to let me park my car in the car park until the end f the day on which I booked out. I was attending a two day course and would otherwise have had to pay £10 to park at the hotel where the course was held. It was for this reason that I didn't book into the University Arms.

    Bookng procedure was slow. Bedside light was not working.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  June 22, 2005

    "We had problems with check-in and our room. I think the room we had eventually was very overpriced - especially considering the problems with the air-conditioning. There was one member of staff who was kind and helpful. Hotel is very convenient for the city centre, but does not offer value for money." (2429701)

    The hotel is very convenient for the city centre and be able to park in the hotel car park was very helpful.

    The aircon wasn't working and no fans or ice were offered nor discount was offered on the room price.

  • 8/10 Mike ( Mature couple) 

    from Coedpoeth , United Kingdom;GB  on  June 21, 2005

    "The only problem we had was that the air conditioning was broken on one of the hottest nights of the year so far. Hopefully, this problem was repaired quickly." (2413873)

    The proximity to the centre of Cambridge makes this an ideal overnight stay.

  • 8/10 Gillian jane ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Pibrac , France  on  March 22, 2005

    After a problem with the first room allocated to me, the second room was very good.

    The first room allocated was completely unacceptable due to it being too hot because the radiator valve was stuck on full heat.

  • 8/10 John ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Ottawa , Canada  on  October 6, 2004

    "Detailed directions to the hotel from the train station would have been nice - together with estimated walking time/distance. It cost me 6 pounds for a taxi that took as long as the walk would have because of traffic. A little more obvious tourist information would have been helpful at the hotel. I had to ask for a map of the town. Information on where the shopping district was, the tourist bureau, etc. would have been nice. The front desk staff were pleasant enough and generally helpful when asked - but I didn't get a snese of enthusiastic welcome. Special hotels always have staff that give you a feeling that they are genuinely happy that you are staying there and want to do whatever they can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. That feeling was missing at the Gonville. I would definitely come back though." (1453298)

    Clean, convenient location

    High speed Internet did not work - advertised help telephone numbers were either not answered or were answered by someone with no knowledge of the Quadriga company. Hotel staff were unfamiliar with how to correct the problem. By my second night, the manager was very helpful and got the company to correct the problem. Breakfast was on the expensive side considering the meagre choice. What was there was good but after 4 days got pretty boring.

  • 6/10 Michael ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Penzance , United Kingdom  on  October 4, 2004

    "Hotel well located, parking useful. Restaurant ok. Staff did their jobs efficiently enough but without a single smile between them and as a guest I felt completely anonymous. For the price I expected better." (1532396)

    Clean, comfortable. Standard equipment, everything worked.

    Bathroom small, shower barely adequate. Room uninspired for approx £100 per night

  • 9/10 Russell & fran ( Mature couple) 

    from Seattle , United Kingdom  on  September 20, 2004

    "The new lift was a good addition from our last stay with you. The best part of the accomodations was the high speed internet access in the room. I hope more hotels add this service. The location of the hotel is perfect for someone on vacation. Good restaurants near by. Easy access from the motorway." (1359899)

    The VERY best feature of this hotel was the high speed internet cable service. Only one I found on our 4-week trip that had that feature. We will tell everyone.

    None.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  August 17, 2004

    it was not possiblen to have a cooked breakfast in your room. I also thought breakfast was expensive on top of the room rate

    We had a room at the front of the hotel and it was very noisy during the night

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 1, 2007

    my friends

    the whether, the price, the inhospitality of British people, the scarce number of connections Stansted-Cambridge

  • 8/10 Richard ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Leoben , Austria;AT  on  April 26, 2005

    perfect location within walking distance to city center

  • 7/10 Woog ( Mature couple) 

    from Bruxelles , Belgium  on  October 18, 2004

    "Choix dicté en fonction de disponibilité de chambre et de localisation géographique sinon j'avais d'autres préférences" (1580263)

    parking libre, proche centre ville

    enregistrement difficile, mauvais agencement salle de bain (porte), tentures toujours fermées sinon pas d'intimité

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  April 16, 2006

    "Our complaints are minor, but it is funny how sometimes something as small as a good cup of tea at breakfast or tomatoes you can cut, can make one's day. Overall a pleasant stay in a centrally located & well equipped hotel." (3304519810)

    Clean/Spacious/Functional

    Door Card failed to work at first visit to enter room. Needed to go back to reception to get card reset. Lack of information given at checkin re policy on newspapers. Having filled in my requirements for a newspaper I found that it was not outside my door the next morning. When it eventually turned up late afternoon and had quite clearly been used, I went to reception to seek an explanation. I was then told that it was not policy to deliver papers to the room and that they had to be collected. I stated that I had not been told this at check in and that if non-delivery was policy, why deliver it late afternoon in a tatty condition? There was no adequate answer, but the charge for the paper was removed from my bill. Staff were both understanding & courteous at all times during our conversation. Breakfast could have been improved greatly by buying tomatoes that are ready to eat instead of ones that are so tough they are inedible. Also, using proper teapots instead of coffee pots that make it impossible to stir the tea to afford it some colour might help. The rest of the breakfast was fine and the staff helpful and courteous.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

hotel map

Hotels Nearby

Email me great deals & news

Why sign up?

Bookmark with:

What are these?