My partner and I stayed here for a night in November 2010 and really enjoyed our stay. It's a…read morequirky hotel with different themed rooms. Ours was room 2, like a marble effect room. It was a very large luxury room for the price and the bathroom was very big and modern. The bed was soo comfy we were almost late for breakfast as we didn't want to get up lol. The breakfast was yummy and the owners go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Both were extremely helpful and friendly. If I were being picky the room was a little warm, but there was probably a thermostat if we'd asked and it was a little noisy when the guests in the next room were in and out. But we'd definately come back and we always recommend Drapers.

This hotel is gorgeous. Although it is a bit of a walk from the pier/attractions, etc. it is a…read morelovely walk along the seafront so you don't mind. The hotel has all the amenities, including a spa, the terrace is beautiful, the food is delicious and the staff are very friendly. Our king size, sea view room was large, clean and had everything we could have asked for. Why then am I giving it only 2 stars? Due to our schedules, my husband and I very rarely get out of London and we were only able to have a 3 day break, meaning our second day was our only full day. We planned to sleep late, mabey order room service, basically just enjoy one lazy, romantic morning. Unfortunately they were renovating the room next to ours and extremely loud drilling, hammering etc. started early. Finally I called reception and they apologized and said it would stop immediately. It did not. 30 minutes later I called again. Again they apologized and, eventually it stopped but by then it was too late for us to enjoy our relaxing morning as we were up and cranky. I spoke with the people at the front desk, who promised it would not happen the next day, but since we were checking out that day it wasn't going to be the relaxing morning we were in need of. I understand things like this happen but, although they apologized, they offered us nothing. I worked in hospitality for years and, if something like that were to upset one of my guests I would have, at the very least, comped something as a way to show the business was sorry. I am not saying a free night or something that major, just something small as a token. We had dinner on their terrace, drinks at their bar and room service, they had many options. Sadly, although I would rave about the actual hotel, that one major disappointment means I can not fully recommend them.

Great place to have a nice meal in the sun, although I do think its a bit expensive for self…read moreservice at the bar for outside seating The inside dinning area is a bit more of a posh affair with v nice food, but still on the tad pricy side for what you get. Cocktails are good (when they mix the one you actually ordered, on one occasion it took me a couple of attempts to get the correct cocktail) Overall, food good, wine list good, cocktails good, great location on a sunny day and people are friendly. I just don't think the self service for outside seating and getting your own drinks warrants the high-prices - although I'm sure it won't stop me going there - I'll just think of other options first

Definitely wouldn't stay here again. The rooms were dusty, there was no toilet paper dispenser in…read moreour room just a little like of tissue. The hallways were kinda gross and dirty. Everything just seemed like it hadn't been cleaned.

Just opened and a great hotel. Very friendly staff who will…read morehelp out with any problems. Right by the pier but quiet at night. Totally secure using room key cards which operate the lift, security doors and room door. Nice restaurant for breakfast and evening meals with a bar. Beds extremely comfy with choices of soft or hard pillows. Tea/coffee making facilities. Free wi-fi. Bathroom with nice clean white towels and wall mounted soaps and shower gel. Totally brilliant.

I have been staying here for a couple of days a week for the last 6 months. Typical Holiday Inn…read moredécor which could do with a refresh but all very clean. This hotel also has a nice gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. Very friendly staff here which really makes a different when you are staying somewhere for a while. Only downside was the restaurant. They have the usual hotel basics and some changing weekly specials but from night to night the quality could differ and after a couple of weeks the menu becomes boring. But plenty of restaurants in Colchester. This hotel can be busy with coach parties during the summer holidays.

I guess once you have been to one Holiday Inn then you have seen what to expect from them all…read morereally. The place is easy to find, well located (not far from the main A12 road) and the rooms are of a decent enough size. The reason i give a four star rating is for the 'little' differences that can make the difference. Having stayed and know people who have stayed here, there are two things that often get said each time: 1. The staff were polite and welcoming and seemed to genuinely want to help if possible, and 2. The rooms are of a good clean standard -something which can not always be said of other hotels i have visited unfortunately! Ok, maybe not the big 'wow factor' many people might look for, but certainly consistant good value for money

This hotel was absolutely terrible. When we checked into our rooms at the beginning of last month,…read morethere was no air in any of the rooms. I was told that the air had been broken for days and there would be no update on when it would be fixed. The room that I checked into had a broken window. When I asked them to fix the window, they attempted to, but the issue was never resolved. The second night at this hotel, someone attempted to break into my room. The hotel was completely nonchalant about the incident. No one came to my room to take pictures, no one called my room to check on the door or fix anything. The excuse the manager gave me about someone attempting to break into my room was that the person was possibly drunk. They didn't offer to resolve anything and I just did not feel safe.

I almost gave it 3 stars, but I decided to compare against the Park Inn in Telford…read more As there are plus points for this location, again st Telford, and vice versa. The night stay through my company travel agent was £7 more per night than the Telford ,location. The building has already been referred to by the previous reviewer. I had a very good welcome, unfortunately, my travel agent had forgot to inform them of my Club Carlson membership number. This was easily rectified by reception, and my room was upgraded I was offered a bag of sweets to choose from and I mentioned I'd have to select wisely, as it would be the kids eating them. Tomasz said have two instead....as I have two children. Large spacious room overlooking the Southend Pier. Given all the space it was disappoint to find a very small bathroom. I caught my foot on the edge of the door when trying to get access to the shower. There was a bathrobe and slippers available to use. Also had Aircon. Clean iron and ironing board. This scores points given the issues I've had in Telford. A pint of Becks - £3.90 Fillet Steak £20.00 I get 15% off via my Club Carlson card. The dining room was disappointing; very much like a canteen. Limited "specials" menu. Hence for choosing off the standard main menu. No free paper available. I asked whilst in the dining room if they had a paper, and I was shown, via a point, where to get the paper. So up I got and trotted over to get it. Look, customer service is all about customer service..... Get me the bloody paper..... OK I didn't say that, but after 4.75 hours of driving, I wasn't in the best frame of mind. Breakfast: Cold plates. Most of the bacon, sausages were cold. There were deep-fried mushrooms, and similar new potatoes. No fried eggs. Pretty disappointing, and where Telford score points. Took my tea in the bar lounge, and then noticed a few papers in the dining room being put straight. I took one, only to be told that they were for the dining room only. I promised to return the paper. The paper in the bar area was the previous day's. So with my discount my stay cost £86.45. Mainly charming Eastern Europeans serving. Met one Essex woman (newspapers for dining room only). I'd return, but then I'd have to as it is the one chosen by the company.....

Found the restaurant to be a warm, accommodating place for young families. The roast dinner was…read moreexcellent, the children's menu was good, there was plenty of room between tables and my granddaughter made a friend with the little girl at the next table! It was such a nice experience. When I go back to visit Billericay, I'll definitely go come back to The Harvard Inn.

Great place. Rooms are well appointed & clean. Friendly staff. Great English breakfast. The General…read moreManager stayed late for us. Easy parking. Highly recommend.

This is my Dad's favorite hotel in South End On Sea. I thought I would have liked to stay at the…read moresmall B&Bs around just to really suck in the atmosphere but ultimately here's the low down. Pros Clean Spacious Plenty of parking Ideal location Right on the beach Right next to a pub/restaurant. Friendly Staff Big baths Cons Pricey Basic Generic Vending machine snacks Smaller TV than my laptop Paid wireless Overall i enjoyed the stay being so close to the pub/carvery was great but I think they charged way too much for what I got in the area.

With a great view Premier Inn is a great place to get a sleep, and also have a nice view to wake up…read moreto. The only downside are the odd drunkard who stumbles by at 2am yelling their head off, but you can't hold this against Premier Inn. Their staff are generally helpful, and will assist you if they can.

Not bad for Colchester!…read more Being part of the Best Western brand of hotels, it serves as a nice hotel with a lot of character. Walking in, there is a well sized car park for overnight guests and the rooms are of good size. The beds usually don't feature more than a full sized bed, but the bathrooms are quite large and it is very clean. When booking, there is a breakfast option you can choose. The entire hotel has a creaky old English feeling, but it adds to its character. Try it out for size if you're ever in the area! :)

Very old, authentic building. Clean, friendly, comfortable, economical…read more The pub seemed great to us tourists. Pub food was very good and well prepared. We plan to return.