Dolphin Hotel Cambridge

My wife and I stayed here in for a night away whilst visiting St Ives. I was slightly concerned when reading the reviews as not much was being posted positively recently As it turned out we were quite happily surprised on arrival. Although renovations were still ongoing the area that was being done was closed and had no impact on where we stayed The rooms were a decent size and were decorated to an OK standard. The bar area and Breakfast were both fantastic too, as was the actual breakfast in the morning. The Gentleman on reception was friendly and very helpful I feel a little bad leaving a 3-star review as the place and staff were great.... However, the mattress on the bed was unbelievable! I've slept on many mattresses over the years but this was THE most uncomfortable. Neither my wife nor I had much sleep as the mattress was cheap, hard and if you stayed in on position for more than half an hour you'd get pins and needles. I understand that different people like different mattresses. I prefer harder mattresses than my other half, but neither of us could sleep on this one! This led to neither of us sleeping much and both waking up with a sore back The hotel has huge potential what with being on the river and so close to a lovely town like St Ives. I just hope that the renovations will ultimately include changing and upgrading the mattresses

No heating all night so room was very cold. Radiators and towel rails off. No extra blankets either. Not enough pillows and no spares. Bed was terribly uncomfortable and batteries in TV remote were dead. We booked hotel for the waterfront bar and found it was all closed up with builders advertisements on windows. When we eventually found the bar on other side of hotel it resembled a 1970s social club that looked like the morning after a wedding had been hosted there. Everyone that walked in walked straight back out! Not a good experience. We were also given a disability room so sinks were lower and drive in shower. The wet room had rotted the bottom of the wooden door and toilet did not flush properly. I'd avoid booking here.

After reading some reviews, granted I can agree the place does look a little dated and refurbishments are happening. But I had not issues. I stayed on the ground floor (Room 60) with the lake outside. The room was clean and bathroom was tidy. Short walk into town for something to eat and drink is not an issue as quite a few places to choose from. No issues with checking in as it was swift and easy. Was offered breakfast but this was not required. Easy to find and great views and nice walks at the rear. It’s not glam or 4* - at a push maybe 3* but either way it was clean and quiet. Better than a corporate premier inn/travelodge. I’d be back for sure if needed in the future for work stay over,

This hotel was massively oversold. The photographs were very misleading and the offer of a 47% discount was very exaggerated. This hotel is very run down and in the midst of a complete refit after being used to house immigrants for the last two years. We paid £155. For a two night stay. We were seduced by the photographs of the hotel which were very misleading. On arrival it felt like we we were entering a building site, the main entrance was closed and most of the hotel looked like a storage site. The restaurant was closed, which was not mentioned in the offer details. The decoration in the hotel and rooms was shabby and monocoloured grey everywhere. The only saving grace from this experience was that the staff were all perfectly charming, so I have no issue with them. However, the company has no right to suggest that these rooms are normally £300 for a two night stay and should be reported to the trading standards authority. I very rarely write a negative report on my experiences but this was particularly disappointing.

Basic but pleasant hotel ! It is under renovation but room was comfortable and new ! Breakfast was very good for the price ! Some of the hotel is old and tired ! Ideally situated with a 5 min walk into St Ives ! Staff very friendly plenty of parking lovely walks near by , excellent views of the River Ouse .

This hotel was massively oversold on Wowcher. The photographs were very misleading and the offer of a 47% discount was very exaggerated. This hotel is very run down and in the midst of a complete refit after being used to house immigrants for the last two years. We paid £155. For a two night stay. We were seduced by the photographs of the hotel which were very misleading. On arrival it felt like we we were entering a building site the main entrance was closed and most of the hotel looked like a storage site for Jewsons. The restaurant was closed, which was not mentioned in the offer details. The decoration in the hotel and rooms was shabby and monocoloured grey everywhere. This place makes Travellodge look distinctly upmarket. The only saving grace from this experience was that the staff were all perfectly charming, so I have no issue with them. However, the company has no right to suggest that these rooms are normally £300 for a two night stay and should be reported to the trading standards authority. I very rarely write a negative report on my experiences but I would suggest you will be much happier staying in a Travellodge ( I have no issue with Travellodge you get exactly what you expect there ) than here.

We stayed here for just one night, which was okay. The hotel is being refurbished, but the quality of the work is quite low. Even when it’s finished I wouldn’t return, which is a shame as the hotel has a great position right on the river. We didn’t have breakfast here so I can’t comment on that.

We had paid for a superior king room and when we checked in our room had been given away. We were put in a twin room at the last minute (room 65) that was dirty and small. It was a birthday weekend away for my husband and I was so disappointed. The room we were given had three blinds missing including the bathroom which faced a busy car park. The velux windows were broken and only one had a blind on but it was ripped. No chair at the table. No mirror for make up etc. very very poor quality room. Very disappointed as not easy to correspond with the owners. Awaiting their reply before I take legal action.

Absolutely disgusting!! Should not be a four star we didn’t even have enough drink making facilities and when my husband went to reception to ask for some it was closed despite being advertised as 24hours. States on welcome pack call 0 to speak to reception yet no phone in the room. Yes they said work is currently ongoing but the bar was not open again says on site from 07:00-23:00 yet when arrived they said from 17:00 when my husband went to get a drink for the room as we have a young child it was already closed at 21:00 The restaurant was not open they didn’t offer anything that could grade this higher than a one star. We booked directly and the cost was ridiculous they emailed to say price match guarantee yet have not honoured this. View from room was a roof full of rubbish when asked about this as very disappointed that nothing matched the photos on the site my response was well you booked with a child so there the rooms you get. My fault hey! Old run down place that people should be aware to avoid!! we didn’t eat the breakfast in the morning everything was dirty. Old fruit and cereal that was out the night before. Absolute disgrace should be ashamed of yourselves charging nearly £150 a night for a four star sell it as a one star for no more then £50 a night people will know what they are arriving to when you pay cheap you get cheap but to charge what you did and have not price matched and ignored my emails when I challenged this is unacceptable. Complete con and dirty rooms