The Most Romantic Hotels in Essex

Essex has been maligned for years. Some of the county is within the urban sprawl of London, and there’s a solid ratio of places you can get a spray tan, but the majority of the county is green, pleasant and rolling, dotted with charming, medieval villages and much adored by Constable, known for painting English idylls. Our collection of the 5 most romantic hotels in Essex are a mixed bag of restaurants-with-rooms, beautiful old inns in Constable country and countryside escapes in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Best Special Occasion Hotels in Essex

• The Sun Inn, in Constable’s home town of Dedham, right across from the church he painted, is a charming, 15th century built coaching inn with just seven rooms. Some of the rooms have four poster beds, some views of the church, all of them are light and airy and have all the mod. cons.. There’s a very nice restaurant and they’ll do you a picnic if you fancy it.
• The Mistley Thorn in Mistley - which is right on the Stour Estuary - is a restaurant with seven simple rooms. The views and the food are highly recommended, but the price makes it easy to justify, with rooms starting from around £90 a night.

For a romantic coastal break

• The Pier at Harwich is a charming small hotel and restaurant situated right in Old Harwich's harbour. Its fourteen rooms are done in contemporary style, but for something really special book the Mayflower Suite with its sweeping views over the estuary and telescope too! The restaurant is excellent and the Navyard serves continental snacks and a wide range of drinks.

If you like the sound of this property, have a look at all of our Guru's recommendations for hotels with hot tubs in Essex.

Still not sure which to book?

• Consult our Ultimate Guide to the Most Romantic Hotels in the UK, or even consider our collection of The 60 Most Romantic Hotels in the South West of the UK, or 25 of the Most Romantic West Country Hotels.
• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Essex,
• Or our Guru’s collection of hotels with hot tubs in Essex.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

  • The Sun Inn, Dedham Dedham 7 rooms from €167

    
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    Families  -  Kids menus, spacious rooms, a garden with swings and slides and local kid's activies such as the Zoo

    Local exploring  -  The B&B is an ideal base for exploring the wonders of Suffolk and Essex

    Sights nearby  -  Explore the village of Dedham with its fine Grade I-listed Georgian architecture and medieval buildings

    Great walks  -  Stroll along the River Stour and admire the Water Meadows and wildfowl

    

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays, I Escape

    A charming 15th-century pub with seven rooms, situated in the heart of Constable's hometown. Rooms are comfortable and quirky some with four-poster beds, fireplaces and others a more modern feel. Excellent restaurant with regularly changing menu featuring the best seasonal produce. See More

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  • The Mistley Thorn Mistley, Essex 7 rooms from €104

    
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    Restaurant  -  Recommended.

    Views  -  Some rooms have views of the River Stour

    Birdwatching  -  Bird sanctuary nearby

    Great walks  -  Lovely estuary walks

    

    Recommended by  -  I Escape, Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

    Popular restaurant with rooms on the Stour Estuary with great food and good local walking. The Mistley Thorn has simple rooms but offers good value, especially with dinner. See More

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  • The Pier at Harwich Harwich, Essex 14 rooms from €161

    
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    Foodies  -  Wonderful fresh seafood meets a creative chef, simply divine! Not to mention the gin library and Prosecco cocktails!

    Total relaxation  -  Sit in the suite's bay window, or indeed on the restaurant's balcony, and watch the sun set on the sea- heaven!

    Sights nearby  -  Just around the corner is the Electric Palace Cinema, the second oldest cinema in England- well worth a visit.

    Views  -  Great views over the busy harbour and the Stour and Orwell estuaries.

    

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

    A charming waterfront hotel overlooking the quayside at old Harwich. Contemporary rooms capture the views over the working harbour. The fish restaurant is modern, lively and popular with the locals. A great stay on the East Anglian coast. See More

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Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh

posted Wednesday, 10th April 2024