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Summary of reviewsThe George Hotel Colchester in Colchester attracts positive reviews across multiple facets of its service and amenities. Its prime location on the High Street is a standout feature, placing guests within walking distance of local attractions, shops and the historic castle gardens. This central spot is particularly praised for its convenience and accessibility, making it an excellent base for tourists wanting to explore without needing a car.
Guests admire the hotel's blend of historic charm and modern comforts, praising the well-maintained facilities, stylish decor and comfortable rooms. The spacious, clean rooms are described as beautifully furnished, balancing modern amenities with historical character. Recent refurbishments have enhanced the rooms and common areas, contributing to a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Public areas like the lively bar and lounges add to the cozy ambiance, providing more than just a place to stay.
The hotel’s dining experience is largely celebrated. Breakfast offerings receive high praise for variety and quality with freshly prepared dishes and attentive service, although some guests consider it pricey with occasional issues in portion size and service speed. Dinner service also garners mostly positive feedback, highlighted by the excellent food quality and cozy restaurant ambiance. Notable dishes, diverse menu options and good value for money are appreciated, despite some reports of slow evening service.
Cleanliness is another strong suit of The George Hotel Colchester, frequently described as spotless and well-maintained. Both rooms and bathrooms uphold high standards of hygiene, contributing to a comfortable stay. Although there are a few reports of minor lapses, the overall impression is satisfactory.
The staff at The George Hotel Colchester consistently receives high marks for their friendliness and professionalism. Many guests note the exceptional service provided by the team, contributing significantly to their overall positive experience. While there are isolated incidents of less-than-stellar service, the general consensus celebrates the staff’s helpfulness and welcoming demeanor.
Free Wi-Fi is available and generally reliable, though some guests face connectivity issues and slow speeds, particularly in specific areas of the hotel. Some international travelers have also struggled with Wi-Fi registration, suggesting room for improvement in this area.
Parking presents a mixed experience. While some appreciate the secure, nearby car park, others find the daily fees and difficult navigation challenging. This issue, along with occasional noise from the vibrant nightlife around the hotel, are points of contention among guests. However, the proximity to nightlife venues is also viewed favorably by those looking to enjoy the local bar and club scene.
Finally, the beds are frequently described as comfortable, contributing to restful sleep for most guests. While a few outliers report issues, the general feedback is positive.
Overall, The George Hotel Colchester lives up to its four-star rating with luxurious furnishings, an appealing decor and a high standard of service, providing great value for money. Its blend of historical allure and modern amenities, coupled with an attentive staff, ensures a recommendable stay for visitors to Colchester. Show more
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Categories
Inn with Parking
Offers parking to the rear of the building.
EV charging stations
Inn with EV Charging Stations
This hotel has Pod Point EV charging stations.
Inn near Nightlife Spots
4-Star Inn
Room Types
Double RoomFeatures include a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and an en suite bathroom.
Twin RoomEach room benefits from a TV and an en suite bathroom.
Small Double RoomEach room benefits from a TV and an en suite bathroom.
One-Bedroom ApartmentThis one-bedroom apartment is located next to The George Hotel.
Address: 118 High Street, Colchester, Essex, England CO1 1TD.
Guests should check in at St Nicholas House Hotel, across the road - next to The Entertainer.
SuiteBoasting a private entrance, this suite includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The suite has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as a sofa. The unit has 1 bed.
King RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a private entrance, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
The George Hotel Colchester in Colchester boasts an exceptional location, frequently praised by visitors for its convenience and central position. Nestled right on the High Street, this historic hotel places guests in the heart of town within a short stroll of numerous attractions, shops and restaurants. The proximity to the historic castle and its gardens is a notable highlight, making it perfect for tourists keen to explore the local sights without the hassle of using a car.
The ambiance and character of the hotel, blending period charm with modern comforts, add to its appeal. Multiple reviews mention the well-maintained facilities, comfortable rooms and stylish decor. The hotel's central position is ideal not just for sightseeing, but also for enjoying the vibrant local dining and nightlife scene.
Despite a few mentions of difficult car park access and occasional noise due to its central location, the overall consensus points to The George Hotel Colchester as a superb base for a stay in Colchester, combining historical elegance with prime accessibility.
Breakfast
The George Hotel Colchester's breakfast offerings receive high praise for their quality and variety. Guests frequently compliment the delicious, freshly prepared dishes, including both full English and continental options. The breakfast features a broad selection, ensuring there’s something for every palate with many noting the standout service provided by the attentive and friendly staff.
However, some visitors find the breakfast a bit pricey and express mixed feelings about portion sizes and value. While many rave about the quality, describing it as amazing, superb and excellent, others feel improvements could be made, particularly with the continental breakfast, which some found basic or unappetizing.
Service speed appears to be another area for improvement. A number of guests report slow service, long wait times and occasional disorganization. Despite these issues, the overall experience of having breakfast at The George Hotel Colchester is positively regarded with guests frequently mentioning that the breakfast was enjoyable once it arrived, emphasizing the pleasant ambiance and comfortable setting of the dining area.
Dinner
The dinner experience at The George Hotel Colchester has garnered a range of reactions from guests, the majority of which are overwhelmingly positive. Many reviews highlight the excellent quality of the food served in the restaurant, describing it as first class, mind-blowing and perfectly cooked. Guests frequently used glowing terms such as lovely, delicious and exceptional to describe their dining experience with some noting specific dishes like the wild mushroom fricassee and monkfish as standouts.
The ambiance of the restaurant also received high praise with a pleasant, cozy decoration and a festive atmosphere on weekends. Diners appreciated the great value for money, varied menu options and the possibility to have a delightful drink at the bar.
However, some guests did report occasional issues with the service, describing it as slow or poor during evening meals and a few were unhappy with specific dishes, citing cold food or limited options. Despite these isolated critiques, the general consensus is that The George Hotel Colchester offers a top-notch dining experience with the food and restaurant staff frequently being lauded for their excellence.
In summary, while there are areas for improvement, particularly in service speed and communication regarding meal pricing, the overall dining experience at The George Hotel Colchester is highly regarded by guests, making it a worthy destination for exceptional food and a great restaurant atmosphere.
Rooms
The George Hotel Colchester, nestled in a historic setting, offers a uniquely charming experience with many positive aspects that make it a notable stay for guests. The rooms are frequently praised for being clean, spacious and comfortable, perfect for a restful night's sleep. The renovation work has been appreciated, blending modern amenities with the timeless appeal of the original decor and historical architecture, making the rooms beautifully furnished and preserving the building's old spirit.
Guests admire the well-maintained facilities in their rooms, which include modern bathrooms and comfortable amenities such as cozy beds and good-sized showers. Many rooms are described as nicely decorated, stylish and presented to a high standard, providing a pleasant and relaxing environment.
Despite a few minor issues with room configurations, the overall impression remains positive. The character and charm of the old historical building, along with its central location, contribute to a pleasant stay. Public areas like the lively bar and lounges add to the cozy atmosphere, making this hotel not just a place to stay but an experience in itself.
The staff’s hospitality also stands out with many guests noting their helpful and friendly service. Whether for a short visit or an extended stay, The George Hotel Colchester seems to offer a mix of historical allure and modern comfort, making it a recommended choice for travelers visiting the area.
Beds
The George Hotel Colchester boasts a reputation for providing guests with distinctly comfortable beds, consistently described as comfy, very comfortable and even "super comfy" by numerous visitors. Many emphasize the pleasant experience of sleeping on large, clean and well-designed mattresses. However, not every review was glowing; a few guests found some mattresses too hard or encountered issues like noisy surroundings affecting sofa beds or even bed bugs. Despite these outliers, the general consensus underscores the hotel's success in furnishing beds that tend to surpass expectations, often featuring high-quality linens and maintaining cleanliness, making for an overall restful stay for most guests.
Cleanliness
The George Hotel Colchester impresses guests with a commendable level of cleanliness, repeatedly being described as spotless and very clean. Many reviewers mention that both the rooms and the bathrooms uphold a high standard of cleanliness, contributing to a comfortable and welcoming stay. The hotel and its facilities have been maintained well and present a clean, modern appearance, enhanced by a recent refurbishment that bolsters its historic charm. The decor is appreciated for being both clean and tastefully presented.
However, not all reviews are entirely positive. Some guests have noted occasional lapses such as dusty surfaces, old set-in-room dust and leftover items from previous occupants. There were occasional mentions of bathroom floors being splattered and some furniture appearing slightly dusty. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall consensus is that the hotel maintains a commendable standard of cleanliness with the majority of guests satisfied with the hygiene and upkeep of the property.
Staff
At The George Hotel Colchester, the shining star is undoubtedly the staff, who are consistently described as amazing, friendly and extremely helpful. Guests frequently highlight their welcoming nature and professional demeanor with mentions of exceptional service and hospitality. Particular praise is given to various team members who went the extra mile, such as the front-of-house staff who prepared a takeaway breakfast and the receptionists Paula and Aimee, who were noted for their professionalism.
The breakfast staff and bartenders also receive commendations for their friendliness and attentiveness, making mornings and evenings a pleasant experience. The reception staff, despite minor hiccups, generally provide excellent service with several guests noting their problem-solving skills and warm hospitality.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests encountered less responsive service and occasional rudeness from a few team members, indicating a need for consistent training and improved customer service. Despite these occasional setbacks, the overall impression of the staff at The George Hotel Colchester remains highly positive, contributing significantly to the guest experience.
Wi-Fi
The George Hotel Colchester offers free Wi-Fi and many guests have found it reliable and working perfectly in certain areas of the property, including the rooms. However, there are some challenges reported regarding connectivity and speed. Some guests struggled with slow or non-existent Wi-Fi, especially in specific rooms or the apartments. Additionally, a few international travelers had issues registering for Wi-Fi due to the system's acceptance of foreign numbers. There are also suggestions for clearer Wi-Fi information and better access details within the rooms. Overall, while the Wi-Fi service can be satisfactory, improvements could enhance consistency and ease of use.
Parking
The parking situation at The George Hotel Colchester has received mixed reviews from guests. While some appreciated the secure, well-maintained car park located at the rear of the hotel, others found the parking arrangements challenging and costly. The daily parking fee ranges from £9 to £10, which many guests deemed expensive and an unexpected additional cost. Accessing the car park proved tricky for several visitors with unclear directions and difficult navigation noted as common issues.
Despite these challenges, some guests were fortunate enough to secure convenient parking spaces without too much trouble, finding the facility handy and close by. However, the lack of guaranteed or complimentary parking was a recurring theme, leading to instances where guests had to search for alternative parking options, sometimes at a distance.
Overall, while the available parking is largely viewed as a valuable feature, there are notable concerns about accessibility, cost and clarity in directions that could improve the experience for future visitors.
Nightlife
The nightlife scene around The George Hotel Colchester is vibrant with many bars, clubs and pubs in close proximity, creating a bustling atmosphere, especially on weekends. The hotel's bar provides entertainment and a festive ambiance on weekends, adding to the lively environment. Guests frequently noted the excellent nightlife and the great atmosphere created by the throngs of people enjoying the bars and restaurants in the area.
However, this lively nightlife comes with a downside. The high street location means that noise can be considerable, particularly late at night when the pubs close and people spill onto the streets. Noise from nearby clubs, pubs and even the hotel's own bar and air conditioning units can seep into rooms with some guests pointing out a lack of soundproofing that exacerbates the disturbances. Rooms facing the main street or near popular nightspots like the Slug And Lettuce night club are particularly affected.
Despite the noise, guests appreciate the hotel's modern decor, the characterful old building and the cleanliness of the spaces. The hotel's location near a variety of dining and entertainment options is also a major plus for those looking to immerse themselves in the local nightlife.
4 Star
The George Hotel Colchester lives up to its four-star rating, offering facilities and service that often exceed expectations. Guests praise its polished and excellent service, frequently describing it as five-star. The hotel impresses with its lovely atmosphere and modern, clean decor. Recent refurbishments have enhanced its already appealing aesthetic, earning compliments for its great and lovely decoration. While the price may suggest higher expectations for some, many find the value offered at a four-star level satisfactory. The breakfast is consistently highlighted as excellent and overall, the hotel is considered top class with great value for money.
Luxury
The George Hotel Colchester presents an impressive blend of luxurious furnishings and decor, creating a sumptuous atmosphere that guests have lauded as luxurious and decadent with interesting historical points adding to its charm. Visitors appreciate the perfect rooms which are not only spacious but gorgeously decorated, maintaining a very high quality standard.
Despite being old, the hotel retains a characterful feel while delivering excellent facilities and maintaining an extremely clean environment. The recent makeover has added to its appeal, although some guests noted a lack of storage in bedrooms. The hotel offers exceptional value for money with rooms providing a luxurious experience akin to more expensive options elsewhere.
Centrally located, The George Hotel Colchester is praised for its balance of luxury and affordability, making it an ideal choice for those seeking high standards without extravagance. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the stay, ensuring that every need is met with professional and courteous service, contributing to the overall high-end experience.
No, The George Hotel Colchester doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The George Hotel Colchester.
No, The George Hotel Colchester doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The George Hotel Colchester.
No, The George Hotel Colchester doesn't have a gym.