We really wanted to like Wilde Cambridge. On paper it has everything: brand new, nice design, central, good rooms, and a genuinely thoughtful concept. Unfortunately, the experience was a real letdown because the service simply isn’t functioning at the level the hotel positions itself at. The first sign came on arrival. We were slightly early, room wasnt ready, which was understandable, but then waited over 30 minutes in the lounge just for a scoop of ice cream. When we got to the room, the child’s bed hadn’t been prepared and towels were missing. Not a huge issue in itself, but part of a pattern. Later I tried to iron a shirt and immediately noticed a horrible burning smell. The iron plate was covered in burnt sticky residue and damaged my shirt. Reception’s response was essentially just “we’ll replace the iron”, no apology, no urgency, while I spent 30 minutes trying to rescue the shirt. After staff later moved furniture to prepare the child’s bed, we discovered smashed chocolate and crisps on the floor, untouched by cleaning. Breakfast was nearly an hour wait for food, dirty tables everywhere, and multiple reminders before anyone cleaned one. What made the stay frustrating was this constant feeling of chasing basic things, waiting endlessly, and repeatedly asking for service that should happen automatically at this price point. Oscar Wilde said: “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” Sadly, our stay felt very far from the best.
