Newmarket Inns

Room small, clean but basic. Shared Bathroom recently refurbished. Within easy walking distance of the central colleges - no worry about drink driving, taxis etc. Didn't get back to room until 0600, slept in until 1015. Came down at about 1045 to leave and was asked whether we wanted breakfast (included) - had assumed it would have finished much earlier, but being restaurant as well, was available until 1130, so pleasant surprise, including an excellent cappuccino style coffee, which I badly needed! Polite helpful cheerful European staff more than made up for any lack of more than basic facilities.

No en-suite rooms and only one shared serviceable bathroom, however a second was being fitted out - a bit of a problem with a number of others probably preparing for the same night out, however in the event it wasn't a big issue at least not for us. We found it without too much difficulty, through good luck rather than good navigation (I had printed out a map) having negotiated the oneway system and roadworks. Parking in Cambridge always a potential nightmare and no hotel parking. We knew this and planned for it. Others had probably discounted this place for that reason, however in the event their loss was our gain. Unloaded in loading bay a hundred yards past hotel and then I went and parked the car about 20 minutes picturesque walk away on a residential street to west of the river for free. Didn't fancy paying ncp overnight rates! Absence of decent convenient mirrors in rooms a bit of a nuisance. I was a bit nervous about fire escape, as the place is a bit of a warren and one section of staircase was completely blocked by decorating equipment, albeit it did not appear to be part of the fire escape route. Plenty of signage, but did not appear to be illuminated, don't know whether this is required. In the event our room was quite close to an escape out onto the roof, so I was re-assured.

The food was lovely, the staff friendly and the rooms were comfortable, well situated in Cambridge.

If you want to get any sleep on at Saturday, not for you, whole building vibrates with music till 3am, students on the street till 4am, road cleaners start at 5.30am, ear plugs didn't help.

Location excellent, very central. When I asked via internet for late check out they obliged and also warned me of traffic noise so I could bring ear plugs.

Needs a lick of paint and double glazing if you are to sleep properly (even with ear plugs!). Customer service was poor. Bar closed at 1125 even though it stated midnight and even getting a bottle of water was tricky. No remote for the tv. Tv channels mainly fuzzy. Staff sighed when I asked for help. Seemed annoyed. Tea order was wrong, food order slow. No-one spoke good English.