Cambridge And Glasgow Set To Welcome First Adina Hotels As TFE Hotels Launches UK Expansion

Published on November 29, 2025

TFE Hotels together with its Australian-born brand Adina Apartment Hotels has officially opened its first UK properties in the historic cities of Cambridge and Glasgow which are about to witness a wholesale new influx of visitors’ accommodation. The 56-room The Hobson Cambridge by Adina was inaugurated on 24th November 2025 and the 98-room The Wellington Glasgow by Adina is anticipated to be launched on 8th December 2025.

This is more than just the launch of two hotels, for Cambridge and Glasgow, it represents a meaningful addition to their hospitality offerings, especially appealing to travellers seeking independent, apartment-style accommodation with heritage charm.

Reimagining heritage buildings for modern stays

The Hobson Cambridge: dormer-roofed heritage meets contemporary comfort

The Hobson Cambridge occupies the former Hobson House, a Grade II-listed building on St Andrew’s Street at the heart of Cambridge. Once the stables of 17th-century businessman Thomas Hobson, whose name inspired the famous phrase Hobson’s Choice, and later the city’s police and fire station, the building has been carefully restored. Original features such as vaulted ceilings, timber beams and period detailing have been preserved, offering guests a unique sense of history.

Inside, the 56 studio-style apartments come with modern kitchenettes and open-plan living areas, a nod to independent travellers or academic guests seeking flexibility. For those who prefer not to cook, the hotel also features a restaurant and bar named Oz & Isle, offering shared dishes and drinks, a subtle tribute to Adina’s Australian heritage.

A private meeting room adds a practical dimension, ideal for small conferences, academic gatherings or even an intimate wedding ceremony, making the hotel relevant to both leisure and business visitors.

The Wellington Glasgow: 19th-century grandeur meets urban apartment living

In Glasgow, Wellington House, a 19th-century listed building on Wellington Street (corner of Bath Street) just off George Square, has been transformed into The Wellington Glasgow by Adina. Its striking sandstone façade and period architecture have been retained, offering a distinct sense of place and heritage.

Inside, the hotel offers 98 studio-style apartments in various configurations: Studio Rooms, Studio Premier Rooms, and Studio Premier Rooms with sofa beds. Each includes open-plan living and sleeping areas, stylish kitchenettes, integrated dining and work spaces, and contemporary amenities such as in-room coffee machines and even steamers, thoughtful touches that make the apartments liveable not just for a night or two, but also for longer stays.

For convenience and lifestyle comfort, guests will also have access to a gym, laundry facilities, a versatile meeting room for business travellers, and a lobby shop with a café bar offering grab-and-go breakfasts and relaxed evening drinks.

What this means for local tourism

The arrival of Adina in Cambridge and Glasgow has the potential to significantly enhance the cities’ appeal for a range of travellers, from academics and visiting families to long-stay tourists, business visitors, and even creatives exploring local culture.

• Flexibility & longer stays: Apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes and open-plan layouts provide the flexibility that many modern travellers desire, ideal for extended stays, working remotely or self-catering during university visits or research trips.
• Heritage & character: By repurposing listed historic buildings, the hotels preserve local architectural heritage, giving guests a sense of place and history rather than generic hotel anonymity. That heritage-meets-modern hybrid is a draw for travellers who appreciate authenticity.
• Central and convenient locations: Both properties are centrally located, making it easy for guests to explore local cultural landmarks, historic sites, universities (in Cambridge), shopping and nightlife (especially in Glasgow), thereby encouraging longer stays and more spending in the city.
• Appeal across demographics: From solo travellers to families, from business travellers to longer-stay visitors — the wide variety of room types and amenities mean that the hotels can cater to diverse needs, boosting overall occupancy potential and tourism footfall.
• Boost to business travel & events: The availability of meeting rooms in both hotels may attract small conferences, academic gatherings, corporate workshops or even social events, bringing a business-tourism blend to local markets.

City tourism, especially in a cultural and academic hub like Cambridge, and a vibrant, creative metropolis like Glasgow, often thrives when accommodation offers both comfort and flexibility. These new Adina hotels might just add that missing link, encouraging visitors to stay longer, explore deeper, and enjoy the cities as locals do.

Strategic vision behind the UK launch

According to TFE Hotels, the choice of Cambridge and Glasgow reflects more than just available real estate. The company sees the UK as a high-potential market that complements its already extensive European and Asia-Pacific footprint. The new UK presence, supported by a UK country office, forms a “natural evolution” of the group’s global strategy.

As the group’s CEO Antony Ritch commented, the UK openings reinforce TFE’s commitment to flexible, design-led accommodation in globally connected, culturally rich cities. In his view, Cambridge and Glasgow serve as “ideal launchpads” for the brand’s UK presence.

The approach also aligns with Adina’s established model in Europe and beyond, repurposing heritage buildings into modern, livable apartments rather than constructing new, anonymous hotels. This sustainable, heritage-respectful strategy distinguishes Adina’s offering and appeals to travellers who value authenticity over homogenised chain-hotel aesthetics.

A warm welcome and a promising future

For travellers visiting Cambridge or Glasgow, whether for study, work, leisure, or simply to discover the cities, the arrival of the Adina brand offers more than just another place to stay. These new openings represent a chance to live, however briefly, within the living history of the cities, while enjoying the comfort and convenience of modern design-led apartments.

This could very well mean for the cities that there will be more tourists, longer visits, more money spent by the localities, and a wider variety of people visiting. For TFE Hotels, it signifies the first stage in what might evolve into a powerful network of design-led, heritage-rich accommodations that span across the UK. If the initial reaction is very positive, then Cambridge and Glasgow might be the starting point of a new tale in the UK hospitality scene.

Image Credit: TFE Hotels