Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel Colchester Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

East Street, Colchester, CO1 2TZ

Close to Colchester Castle Museum

Very good

7.8

8.1

/10

4.3

3.8

"The building is amazing and hundreds of years old.. it has definitely kept its old world features and charm."

borolass70 from United Kingdom

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"Breakfast was very nice with a mix of buffet and a la carte for the warm things (full English or subset thereof)."

Jens from Netherlands

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"Such an amazing beautiful 700 year old hotel! I can not complain,the only one thing is they don't serve evening meals etc."

Mark from United Kingdom

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4-Star Historic Hotel in Colchester

Hotel Overview

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel is a historic property dating back to the 14th century, located in Britain's oldest recorded city, Colchester. The hotel offers 39 comfortable bedrooms across the original building and a modern wing. With a secure parking area and proximity to local attractions, the hotel is a strategic choice for visitors.

Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant serves a diverse menu, including a renowned breakfast that features hearty traditional options. Guests can enjoy meals in the Tudor Bar Brasserie, which is situated on top of a former 700-year-old prison. Seasonal events, such as Christmas party nights, bring different dining experiences to guests throughout the year.

Room Types

The hotel offers a range of accommodation types, from Standard rooms to luxurious rooms with four-poster beds. Many rooms maintain historical elements while providing modern comforts, such as en suite bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Family rooms accommodate larger groups, accommodating up to five guests.

Local Attractions

Located within a 15-minute walk from Colchester's town center, the hotel offers easy access to historical sites and leisure activities in the area. Guests can visit Colchester Zoo and the prestigious Colchester Castle Museum, providing enriching experiences for all ages. The hotel's staff are knowledgeable about local points of interest and can assist with recommendations.

Highlights

Location: 15-minute walk from the town center

Venue: Award-winning wedding venue for up to 160 guests

Dining: Tudor Bar Brasserie on historic site

Rooms: Family rooms for up to five guests

Parking: Secure hotel car park available

Location: Great

8.2/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

Guest ParkingParking peace

The hotel has a generously sized, free car park. Getting a space was easy, even with my long van.

Oliver from England

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DiningBreakfast variety

Breakfast had a wide selection, including a well-cooked English breakfast. Vegan and gluten-free requests were no problem.

Emma from Canada

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Room FeaturesSpacious Luxury

The four poster room was like a spacious suite. It felt very luxurious and quiet.

Charlotte from Australia

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BathroomHis & Hers

The bathroom was huge, with both a bath and a shower. Plus his and hers wash basins!

Jack from United States

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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals

Standard Single Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet
1 Single bed
room details
Standard Double Room Non-Smoking
2 persons
205 sq. feet
1 Double bed
room details
Executive Double Room Non-Smoking
2 persons
205 sq. feet
1 Double bed
room details

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Room rates & availability calendar

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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking

Facilities: Very good

7.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Free parking
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Golf course

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment

Room features

Heating
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Media

Direct dial telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel Location

East Street, Colchester, CO1 2TZ

Map view

City landmarks

Landmark

Colchester Castle Park

5000 ft

Zoo

Colchester Zoo

4.1 mi

Museum

The Castle Museum

4700 ft

Gallery

firstsite

3700 ft

Museum

Hollytrees Museum

3500 ft

Castle

Colchester Castle

4500 ft

Landmark

Colchester Arts Centre

1.1 mi

Landmark

Colchester War Memorial

3300 ft

Landmark

The Claudius Gateway

2700 ft

Church

St. Botolph's Priory

4500 ft

Church

St Helen's Chapel

3800 ft

Landmark

The Minories Galleries

3300 ft

Landmark

Bourne Mill

1.2 mi

Landmark

Colchester's Natural History Museum

4500 ft

Landmark

Colchester Town Hall

4600 ft

Landmark

St. John's Abbey Gate

4100 ft

Nearby

Rollerworld

500 ft

little monkys

900 ft

Chocolate Studio

1100 ft

Ramprage

1200 ft

Restaurants

Zara's Fish Bar

4000 ft

64 Barrack Street

Cafe Bellissimo

3300 ft

1B Wimpole Road

Explore Colchester

Local Insights

Colchester Castle

17 minutes' walk

Colchester Castle is a historic Norman castle with a museum showcasing the town's rich history and impressive architecture.

The Castle Museum

17 minutes' walk

A local history museum featuring exhibits on Colchester's Roman past and changing exhibitions throughout the year.

Hollytrees Museum

13 minutes' walk

This charming museum displays life in Colchester from the 18th century, with period rooms and children's activities.

Colchester Zoo

13 minutes' drive

Home to over 220 species, Colchester Zoo offers immersive animal experiences and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Highwoods Country Park

25 minutes' walk

This park offers scenic trails for walking and cycling, perfect for relaxation amidst nature and enjoying open spaces.

Xtreme Gaming

15 minutes' walk

An adrenaline-filled indoor gaming center featuring the latest video games and VR experiences for thrill-seeking gamers.

Cafe Bellissimo

12 minutes' walk

A cozy cafe offering delicious coffee, cakes, and light meals, perfect for casual dining or a quick snack.

Zara's Fish Bar

15 minutes' walk

A beloved local fish and chips spot known for its crispy batter and fresh ingredients; takeout and din-in available.

Colchester Arts Centre

20 minutes' walk

A vibrant venue offering live music, theater, and art exhibitions, enhancing the cultural scene of Colchester.

Colchester Town Hall

15 minutes' walk

Hosting various events and concerts, this historic location is perfect for evening entertainment and community events.

Getting around town

City Centre
Colchester 15 min · 4000 ft
Airports
London Stansted (STN) 82 min · 33.6 mi
London Southend (SEN) 100 min · 41.3 mi
Train
Hythe (Essex) Railway Station 10 min · 2700 ft
Colchester Town Railway Station 14 min · 3700 ft
Bus
Bus stop 2 min · 400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP 10.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, Croatian, Latvian

Number of rooms:

Former name

BEST WESTERN The Rose & Crown Colchester

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay

Review score

Based on 5 verified reviews

8.2 /10

Great

80%

Recommend

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Comfort

8.2/10

Facilities

7.7/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.1/10

Location

8.2/10

Staff

8.8/10

Value for money

8.0/10

Mia from Germany

Single

Superior Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 16, 2026

9/10

fantastic experience!

lovely receptionist clean room excellent breakfast

the front desk staff were super lovely during check-in AND check-out! our room was clean, i send a big thank you to solvita. breakfast had so many options and tasted delicious. the value was excellent!

The car park got full. I needed to find another spot. it was a little inconvenient.

Rooms

9/10

the room had a modern bathroom with a rainfall shower. it also included two separate sinks! the space was spacious. i noticed it had nice natural light from the window, too.

0 Helpful

John from United Kingdom

Family with children

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 19, 2025

9.0/10

Historic Charm with Modern Comfort

free parking buffet breakfast a la carte wedding notification

My room had great space and free parking was available, a definite plus. I found the walk into the center very straightforward and short. Breakfast included a selection of buffet items alongside a la carte options for hot dishes. The hotel notified me in advance about a wedding which I appreciated.

I am not sure how a price is justified. The room is basic.

Service

9/10

The staff was friendly and very understanding of requests. They delivered and retrieved plates with efficiency, their warm smiles making everyone feel special during each interaction.

Dining

8/10

Breakfast was very nice, with a mix of buffet options and a la carte choices. I particularly enjoyed the option to have a full English breakfast. It was a great start to each day.

Rooms

9/10

The room exuded character, blending historical charm with modern amenities very well. The bed was comfy, I enjoyed resting after a long day exploring the premises.

Facilities

10/10

The hotel offered free parking, this added significant value, especially when traveling with family. The building itself is interesting. I felt a sense of history during my entire stay. There is a large supermarket around the corner.

0 Helpful

Oliver from United Kingdom

Couple

Superior Double Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 15, 2025

9/10

warm welcome quiet location

The staff provided a genuine and warm welcome. NOTHING seemed too much trouble. The hotel is quiet and a good location..

The bed was only moderately comfortable.

0 Helpful

Scarlett from United Kingdom

Couple

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 08, 2025

5/10

cold room poor heating

the reception staff were very helpful.

the room was not good. it was Freezing COLD and i was told to wear coats in the room! they said the hotel prefers to let guests control heating. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY SHAMEFUL.

0 Helpful

Stella from Italy

Single

Executive Double Room

3 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: September 18, 2025

9.0/10

ancient architecture historical detail spacious room

The building presented ancient architecture and interesting historical details. It offered a spacious, nice and neat environment. Walking was easy to shopping and food.

The room suffered from noise because of its street proximity.

Dining

9/10

The breakfast space was pleasant, and it enhanced the meal. Breakfast, prepared to order, featured a full English selection. I found the breakfast both accessible and good in ambiance.

Service

10/10

Staff members were friendly and helpful to me. They addressed every request, and I found nothing was too much trouble. The team showed great cute skills, and I would say it was a positive experience.

Location

8/10

The hotel is near the center, and it meant easy access. I took many walks to the shops. A bus stop near the hotel provided transportation. I did notice the bus had limited schedules.

0 Helpful

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