Cambridge Hotel
LUXURY HOSPITALITY
Iconic Hotel Refurbishment in Historic City
Luxury Hotel Design & Full-Scope Transformation
TEN was appointed as the interior design studio in collaboration with one of the world’s most globally recognised hotel brands to lead the repositioning of a landmark property in Cambridge. Long established as an iconic business hotel, the client brief called for a strategic shift toward a contemporary lifestyle-led destination.
This comprehensive hotel refurbishment reimagines the property through a new design narrative titled The Origins a concept inspired by Charles Darwin and his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. Rooted in discovery and evolution, the scheme reflects both the academic legacy and natural history heritage of Cambridge, transforming the hotel into a layered, design-forward environment for modern travellers.
Client:
Private
Location:
Cambridge
Scope:
Interior Design Stages 1 to 4, Custom Joinery Design, FF&E Specification & Procurement
A Narrative Rooted in Discovery
At the heart of this luxury hotel design concept lies the spirit of exploration. Drawing from Darwin’s formative years at the University of Cambridge, the design narrative references the city’s scientific heritage and its celebrated collections at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.
These influences are expressed subtly throughout the interiors:
• Raw and tactile natural materials
• Organic forms and sculptural silhouettes
• Mineral-inspired colour palettes
• Layered textures reminiscent of geological strata
A warm, earthy base of oatmeal and taupe anchors the scheme, while accents of burnt orange, ochre, sage, and lilac introduce vibrancy. Bronze-detailed lighting and bespoke casegoods add refinement, balancing academic gravitas with contemporary elegance.
Guestrooms & Hotel Furniture Packs
A key component of the hotel refurbishment is the transformation of all 198 guestrooms and suites. TEN developed tailored hotel furniture packs to ensure consistency across room categories while maintaining the design integrity of the concept.
Each room reflects a modern lifestyle aesthetic:
• Custom-designed casegoods with bronze accents
• Layered soft furnishings for warmth and comfort
• Thoughtfully integrated lighting schemes
• Durable, high-performance finishes suited to hospitality use
These hotel furniture packs combine operational efficiency with elevated design, ensuring the property meets international hospitality standards while delivering a distinctive guest experience.
Reimagining the Public Realm
The evolution of the hotel is most evident in the atrium lounge formerly the reception area now reconceived as a vibrant social hub. Lush planting, a leaf-inspired feature lighting installation, and curated displays of art, books, and scientific curiosities create a layered environment that nods to exploration and natural history.
This transformation exemplifies TEN’s expertise in luxury hotel design: creating immersive spaces that resonate culturally while supporting the commercial objectives of a contemporary hospitality brand.
“Redefining interior branding for hotels transfomring with time”
