Cambria Hotel New Haven University Area

The staff member who handled breakfast, maybe the manager, was so kind and accommodating. He really went out of his way, and I appreciated it. It made a stressful trip to Yale a little easier. And thanks for the breakfast potatoes, you were right, they were great! I was here for two nights. The rooms and hotel were clean and comfortable, and while the heating seemed to be put to the test by the historic, unrelenting cold, I was never uncomfortable in my room. It’s affordable, and I’d stay here again.

I don’t usually write reviews, but our experience with the hotel and my 27 students deserved one. We arrived in New Haven for a Yale conference and found that our original hotel wouldn’t work for what we needed. After leaving, we scrambled to find somewhere else, and luckily came across this oasis. Ed and his helpful staff got us rooms that were very clean, modern, and safe. Breakfast was provided, and checking in and out was extremely easy. We felt fortunate to find this place and plan to return next year. We’re sincerely grateful to everyone who helped us!

The noise is the reason I wouldn’t stay here again. The walls are paper thin, and even though we booked a month ahead, our room was right by the elevator. We heard people’s conversations and noise every time they went up or down during the night. We could also make out every word of an argument between the couple above us at 1 a.m. It went on and off for two hours. The room and staff were otherwise great. It was clean, apart from water sitting in the shower because the drain was clogged. The hotel seemed to be in a safe area and was an easy walk from downtown. I was a bit annoyed there wasn’t a microwave, though I checked the utilities list afterward and saw it wasn’t included. I’d assumed a room would have one and didn’t think to check. There was no fountain to refill water bottles either, which was a bummer.

I drove from Hartford for the pre-Thanksgiving happy hour, 5:30-7:30 p.m., since a few of my favorite DJs play here during the week. Today was my first time, and DJ Herman Hamm was filling in on Wednesday. I got there at 6:30. The bartender was also the only waitress, so I started with a glass of wine and ordered jalapeño poppers and a chicken quesadilla. I wondered if she’d forgotten my order. I asked about it at 7:15 and again at 7:30, and still had no food. She assured me it was coming, but the place wasn’t busy, and she kept disappearing from the bar. When I did see her, she didn’t have any food with her. I’m a lightweight and need to eat with wine, and happy hour ends at 8. I offered to pay cash, but she basically said not to bother because it’s a cashless bar. I was so disappointed. I looked at the reviews afterward and they weren’t good either. The place looks nice, but appearances can be deceiving. I won’t be back.