Much maligned by elements of the press and reality television, Essex is actually delightfully rural and historically fascinating, and it’s got a long stretch of coastline intricately featuring estuaries, peninsulas, and some very beautiful beaches. The county also has some very charming centres, but most of the best places to stay in Essex are outside the towns and cities, in tiny villages and hamlets, or in picturesque rural spots. We have discovered plenty of country house hotels, elegant conversions and spa hotels, but also a good range of rural pubs-with-rooms.

The history of Essex is easily traced back to the Iron Age. The Romans took what was to become Colchester, and now it’s one of the county’s historic centres, with its ties to Boudicca and Roman ruins including the original Roman walls, and William the Conqueror's castle. Today it’s also a pretty market town, with a very impressive collection of museums and galleries, historic architecture, and even a zoo.

Several of Essex’s other centres have historic treasures to rival Colchester — the UK’s best preserved Norman keep in Hedingham Castle, Southend Pier, and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, which was the UK’s entry into the International Exhibition of Modern Architecture in 1932. Even the county's beach towns and resorts are historic! Maldon was regularly under attack by the Vikings; Southend has the world’s longest pleasure pier at 2.16kms; and the historic port of Harwich is where The Mayflower was launched from.

Because so much of the region is classed as commuter belt, the majority of its towns and centres are easily reached by train from London, so the best places to stay in Essex are ideal for a quick getaway from the capital.

The Best Places to Stay in Essex

For a Mini-break

• Greyfriars is an elegant Georgian property in the heart of Colchester's cultural district. Ideal for exploring the town on foot, the hotel features 26 opulent rooms and suites with fabulous bathrooms. Think free-standing copper tubs for long evening soaks, drinks at the smart bar, and delectable dining in the Michelin-recommended restaurant. Romantic five-star luxury in the town centre.
• Southend’s Roslin Beach Hotel is a laid-back, romantic spot with bright sea-facing rooms and suites featuring a blue and white palette, with splashes of bold patterns. Boasting an indulgent spa and an award-winning restaurant, this is a gorgeous wedding venue or couples' hideaway. Don't miss the scrumptious afternoon teas or the chance to sip a sundowner on the beachside terrace!

For a Country House Escape

• Wivenhoe House is an indulgent rural escape a few miles south of Colchester. Book a luxury room in the eighteenth-century house for classic grandeur, or stay in the swish, newly-built garden wing for beautiful views from floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Afternoon tea is a real treat, whilst the lovely brasserie serves flavoursome traditional dishes with a modern twist. Immortalised in one of Constable's paintings, this is a good option for business or leisure travellers.
• Down Hall is a grand, Italianate country house hotel, on a one hundred acre estate. Built in 1873, the Hall is now a 98 room hotel, with a smart new cocktail bar, and an impressive spa. Rooms are traditional, with creamy, neutral palettes, and marble bathrooms. For food and drink options you can choose between a sundowner on the terrace, afternoon tea in the large and rather regal lounge, a gin and tonic in the cocktail bar and hearty dishes in the restaurant.

For Water Views

• Opened in 1864 to put up passengers who had disembarked off sailing ships from the continent, The Pier at Harwich is an absolute delight for anyone who loves the sea and boats. Right on the harbour, it has fresh, modern, nautical design and a really great seafood restaurant which makes it a popular buzzy location with locals and guests alike. Rooms at the front of the hotel have huge windows overlooking the harbour but for something really special book the Mayflower Suite with its sweeping views over the estuary and telescope too!
• Southend’s Seven Hotel is a super-smart property with beautiful views over the Thames Estuary. It offers chic rooms in warm, moody tones, big comfortable beds and sleek modern design. The upmarket feel continues in the Aurum Cocktail Bar & Restaurant, where a short menu showcases excellent locally-sourced produce. A grown-up, contemporary choice for a top-notch seaside stay.

For Foodies

• The Cricketers is a pub-with-rooms run by the parents of Jamie Oliver. Recently awarded a Michelin plate, you can guarantee that food it taken quite seriously here! The rooms are colourfully, and stylishly decorated, all unique, with cosy, homely touches and a penchant for bold wallpaper. The best rooms have their own private courtyards — complete with outdoor furniture. Peaceful, yet family-friendly.

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Sun Inn is a 15th-century coaching inn turned popular gastropub in lovely Dedham. The seven rooms are traditionally inspired yet they feel chic and fresh. The restaurant serves Italian inspired dishes using local artisanal produce.
• Chelmsford’s The Lion Inn has long been a pub and inn, and has relatively recently become more of a restaurant with rooms. There are 23 guest rooms with more traditional decor in the original pub building and more contemporary choices in the new restaurant extension. Just north of Chelmsford, this is a family friendly property with plenty of space and accommodation options.
• The Mistley Thorn in Mistley — which is right on the Stour Estuary — is a popular restaurant with seven simple, classic rooms. The views and the food are highly recommended, and the room rate makes it easy to justify. A great choice for walkers too.
• The Pheasant is an award-winning, five bedroom pub-with-rooms in Audley End, a pretty rural pocket of Essex. The pub and restaurant are cheerful, and the food very good, and upstairs, the five, individually decorated, rooms are carefully styled. Family and pet-friendly, and with access to miles of walking trails, this is the ideal rural escape.

For Great Value

• Small, quaint and very affordable, The Compasses Inn is a charming village pub just north of Chelmsford, surrounded by walking, cycling and horse riding trails. The family-run property is friendly, and has an excellent selection of local ales, hearty cuisine and roaring fire in season. Upstairs are five guest rooms, with beamed ceilings, fireplaces and sash windows.
• The Bell Inn is a quintessentially British village pub set in a 600-year-old building in Horndon-on-the-Hill. Its 27 spacious rooms and suites have had a modern facelift but keep their original charm. Spend days cycling, walking or playing golf before returning to the characterful restaurant which serves excellent gastropub-style dishes. A perfect hideaway — and you can bring your kids too.
• The Flitch of Bacon is a restaurant-with-rooms in the tiny village of Little Dunmow. The restaurant is definitely the main event, with modern British fare, and there are just three guest rooms, all boldly decorated, but cosy-feeling, with luxuries like fluffy robes, power showers and underfloor heating.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Essex?

• London’s Stansted Airport is probably going to be your most convenient airport for destinations in Essex, it’s on the same side of London. Many Essex highlights can be easily reached using trains from London. Most trains to Essex leave from Liverpool Street Station, but a couple depart from Fenchurch Street. You can also reach Essex from the water: the port at Harwich has routes to The Netherlands.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• There’s a lot to see and do in Essex, and the best time to visit depends on your plans. If you’re here to enjoy the long coastline, spring and summer are the obvious choices, but autumn will do just as well if you’re planning to do a lot of walking or hiking. If you prefer a city break, or a historic tour there’s not really a bad time to visit — Essex’s events calendar is packed with appealing entertainment and diversions, from the Foodies Festival in June, to the Classic Car Show and Festival of the Air in July, and the Clacton Airshow in August, there’s music, theatre, cinema and more on regular rotation.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Refine your search based on the type of accommodation you’re looking for and see just the best-pubs-with-rooms in Essex or the most romantic hotels in Essex
• Refine your search by location, and consider just the best places to stay in Colchester, Southend or Chelmsford
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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