Poets House

Poets House may well be the answer to Ely Cathedral's prayers. This recently opened hotel provides the town with a much needed place to stay. It is in the most enviable location, bang opposite the ancient cathedral close, and occupies a trio of adjoining Georgian style townhouses. The owners have deliberately opted for a "bling" interior - and it works really well! The cocktail bar hums with life all evening, a mix of locals, weekenders from further afield, cultural tourists and the tech set from Cambridge. The restaurant, elegant & modern in shades of gray, has an overly complicated menu (marmalade....squid tagliatelli - the squid being actually in the tagliatelli - with peach and beetroot for creativity and interest). Breakfast is more traditional; notable is the excellent local bacon, and black pudding and most delicious sausages. There are twenty one bedrooms, noteworthy for the deep, copper bath tubs and designer toiletries - Hermes for the boys and Bulgari for the girls. Ring down for your personal butler to "draw and dress" the bath if you can't be bothered.

What is there to do in the area?
Ely has many attractions including the only remaining residence for Oliver Cromwell in the UK, which is open to the public. The magnificent Norman cathedral is situated opposite Poets House and is a must for visitors. It has been used as a location for many of the recent historic films including The King’s Speech, Elizabeth and The Other Boleyn Girl and houses the only museum dedicated to stained glass. Ely is situated within easy reach of Cambridge and Newmarket – both great locations to explore.

What kind of breakfast do you offer?
Poets House offers a full menu at breakfast. Guests can choose a continental selection or the more traditional full English which includes delicious sausages produced exclusively for the hotel by Edis the local butcher.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?
Lunch can be taken in The Dining Room or The Study Bar which has an express menu for those short on time. Dinner is also available for residents and non residents alike in The Dining Room or again snacks and light meals can be offered in The Study Bar. If you return to the hotel in the middle of the day you can enjoy an afternoon tea to keep you going until dinner.

Which are your most popular room types, and why?
There are two room types available at Poets House – Master suites and House suites. Both have ensuite facilities and a welcome tray of locally produced Ely Gin and Vodka and Corkers snacks, wi fi, air conditioning, copper baths and rainwater shower, fluffy robe and slippers, smart TV and Bose sound system. Many rooms offer stunning views of the Cathedral and Oliver Cromwell’s house.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers?
Poets House offers the perfect base to explore Ely, Cambridge and Newmarket. With the emphasis on style, comfort and attention to detail, Poets House offers guests a very different experience to mainstream hotels. Every guest is allocated a resident butler to ensure you have everything you could possibly need for a fabulous break away.