Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel, Colchester ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2026

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Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel Colchester Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

East Street, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO1 2TZ

Close to Colchester Castle

Very good

7.9

8.1

/10

4.0

3.8

Loved by Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel guests

Comfy bed
Friendly staff
Delicious food
Historic building
High standard rooms

"The 14th century building was beautiful, and the main attraction."

Chelsea from United Kingdom

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"Building was lovely, very old and it was nice to see character had been kept."

Iphone H

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"The Rose and Crown was a lovely timber framed building but with modern facilities."

martin

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3-star historic coaching inn in Colchester

Location

Located in Britain's oldest recorded city, Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel is a 14th-century coaching inn situated within a 15-minute walk from Colchester town center. This makes it convenient for guests to explore local attractions like Colchester Castle and the Natural History Museum. Guests can also enjoy on-street parking options available from 6 PM to 8 AM.

Rooms

The hotel comprises 39 well-maintained bedrooms divided between the historic building and a purpose-built modern wing. Room options accommodate various needs, including family rooms for up to five. Several rooms feature four-poster beds, original oak beams, free Wi-Fi, and en-suite facilities.

Weddings and Events

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel is an award-winning venue for weddings, capable of hosting up to 160 guests. The Rose Suite offers a private entrance, dance floor, and facilities, making it a popular choice for festivities. A dedicated events manager assists in planning and organizing each event.

Dining

The Tudor Bar Brasserie serves a range of drinks, including real ales and premium spirits, within a historic setting. The hotel does not feature a lunch or dinner menu, but encourages guests to explore local dining options. Breakfast includes various choices, with full English and continental selections available daily.

Entertainment

Guests can experience seasonal entertainment, including live tribute acts held periodically at the hotel. Nearby attractions such as Colchester Zoo and Wyvernwood Adventure Park provide family-friendly activities. Various public transport options are available, accommodating easy access to nearby sites and venues.

Highlights

Location: Colchester town center, 15 minutes walk

Rooms: 39 well-maintained rooms

Weddings: Award-winning wedding venue for up to 160

Dining: Tudor Bar Brasserie with real ales

Parking: Limited free hotel parking available

Entertainment: Seasonal live tribute acts

“This place certainly carries its history well, dating back centuries; however, some rooms could use some love as wear and tear is visible, though others boast modern comforts, including surprisingly large beds and powerful showers. The Tudor bar, with its log fires, is a highlight; just be aware that events might bring some noise. If you are sensitive to noise, check that your room is away from the main road.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Location: Great

8.1/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

Guest ParkingParking Peace

Free on-site parking was plentiful. Leaving my car until 5pm on check-out day was very convenient.

Oliver from England

Review on

DiningBreakfast Abundance

Breakfast offered options for everyone. I was offered a generous full English and a well-stocked buffet.

Anthony from United Kingdom

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Room FeaturesLovely Touches

My room included tea/coffee, a hairdryer, an iron, and a fan. There were also shampoo, bath gel and soap.

Isabelle from France

Review on

Meeting RoomsWedding Perfection

The venue's layout was fantastic. Tables had space, and service was quick during the wedding reception.

Nigel from Scotland

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Select your room type

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Single Room Non-Smoking

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

Family Room Double Single Beds Non-Smoking

2 persons

205 sq. feet

1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed

room details

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Facilities

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Very good

7.9/10Review 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

AM/FM alarm clock

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel Location

East Street, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO1 2TZ

Map view

East Street, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO1 2TZ

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

Church

Lion Walk United Reformed Church

4100 ft

Park

Highwoods Country Park

1.3 mi

Landmark

Dutch Quarter

1.1 mi

Church

Church of St Leonard at the Hythe

2400 ft

Church

St Anne's, Colchester

2500 ft

Landmark

Church of St James and St Paul

2500 ft

Landmark

The Minories

3000 ft

Landmark

Xtreme Gaming

3500 ft

Landmark

All Saints Museum

3300 ft

Church

St Anne's Hall

2700 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

Colchester Castle

17 minutes' walk

Historic castle with an extensive museum showcasing Colchester's Roman heritage and unique exhibitions.

The Castle Museum

17 minutes' walk

An engaging museum featuring local history exhibits and guided tours that highlight Colchester's rich past.

Colchester Zoo

13-minute drive

Home to over 220 species, this zoo offers interactive experiences and conservation efforts in a beautiful setting.

Highwoods Country Park

25 minutes' walk

Large park featuring nature trails, wildlife, and picnic areas, perfect for a leisurely day outdoors.

Xtreme Gaming

15 minutes' walk

Thrilling gaming arena with a variety of gaming options for all ages, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Cafe Bellissimo

12 minutes' walk

Cozy café serving delicious Italian dishes and outstanding coffee, known for its warm atmosphere and friendly service.

Zara's Fish Bar

15 minutes' walk

Popular fish and chips restaurant with a casual vibe, offering freshly fried local seafood and renowned chips.

Colchester Arts Centre

20 minutes' walk

Welcoming venue with a diverse range of live performances, including music and comedy, ideal for an evening out.

Colchester's Natural History Museum

17 minutes' walk

Family-friendly museum featuring engaging exhibits about the region's natural history and interactive displays.

Getting around

City Centre

Colchester15 min · 4000 ft

Airports

London Stansted (STN)82 min · 33.6 mi

London Southend (SEN)100 min · 41.3 mi

Train

Hythe (Essex) Railway Station10 min · 2700 ft

Colchester Town Railway Station14 min · 3700 ft

Bus

Bus stop2 min · 400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

Public parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP15.95 per person per day.

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

Feedback about Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests often appreciate the hotel's convenient location within walking distance of the High Street and castle. The rooms are generally considered spacious and comfortable, some featuring modern decor, and amenities like tea and coffee making facilities are provided. the free on-site car park is a definite plus for many, although a few guests have mentioned occasional noise issues due to the nearby road.

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Review score

Based on 823 verified reviews

7.9/10

Very good

78%

Recommend

Staff

8.9/10

Cleanliness

8.3/10

Breakfast

7.5/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.8/10

Pros

Beautiful building

Friendly staff

Comfortable bed

Cons

Poor maintenance

Slow breakfast

Scarlett from United Kingdom

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 29, 2026

6/10

friendly staffloud musicsqueaky door

the reception STAFF was very friendly , i liked the hotel's period features.

a wedding WAS going on and the music was so loud i couldn't sleep. a NOISY radiator added to the problem , and the bathroom door squeaked terribly. they should have warned us about the wedding so we could cancel.

0 Helpful

Alexander from Germany

Standard Double Room

2 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 20, 2026

9.0/10

Good Value Stay

useful cutleryamazing characterdaily servicecold heating

The hotel provided plates and cutlery for my own food in the bar. The bar itself had amazing character. Rooms are serviced daily and I didn't need to ask. Staff were friendly and helpful.

The heating had not been tested before my arrival. It was very cold inside. The towel rail in the bathroom was not working at all.

Dining

9/10

The breakfast room had a pleasant space. The environment felt nice, and there was good accessibility. It was a satisfying way to begin the day at the hotel.

Location

9/10

The hotel is near the city center and points of interest. It offers easy access to local attractions. I also found parking on site, particularly useful.

0 Helpful

stanley from united kingdom

Business traveller

standard double room

1 night in November 2025

Reviewed: December 29, 2025

9.5/10

great stay, lovely hotel

ground floor roomcomfortable roomfirst class staff

I stayed in a ground floor room as i requested. it had access from inside the hotel and a door directly to the car park. the room was large and comfortable with a wet room bathroom. A lovely warm welcome at reception. the staff i met during my short stay were first class. the free car park was a good size.

i did notice some street lights directly outside the windows. the curtain coverage was poor.

Dining

9/10

the breakfast was delicious. it had plenty of choice and the value was excellent.

Service

10/10

the reception staff were very helpful and friendly. one young lady really stood out, as she was so kind and offered assistance with all my needs.

0 Helpful

Nathaniel from United Kingdom

Single

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 07, 2025

9/10

genuine welcomerestful sleepconvenient parking

the staff displayed genuine warmth and attentiveness. my room featured blackout curtains. this ensured a dark and restful sleep. the on-site car park offered convenient parking.

i noticed some slight chipping on the bathroom panels.

0 Helpful

Questions of the users

About Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

Are there any connecting rooms available for families visiting the hotel?

20 November 2024

There are no adjoining rooms, but family rooms that accommodate up to four guests are offered.

Will a traditional breakfast be available during my stay? Is there a restaurant for meals?

5 January 2025

Currently, a daily breakfast is served, but lunch and dinner options are not available at the hotel.

What are the parking options at the hotel?

15 February 2025

The hotel provides 35 complimentary parking spaces. Additional paid parking is available nearby at £1.50 per day. Free street parking is also offered from 6 PM to 8 AM.

Do the rooms come equipped with refrigerators?

1 March 2025

There are no refrigerators in the guest rooms.

What is the distance from the hotel to the nearest university?

12 April 2025

The university is approximately a 5-10 minute drive from the hotel.

Is there an accessible twin room available on the ground floor?

23 May 2025

An accessible ground floor room is available and can be configured as a twin upon request.

What time is check-in at the hotel?

30 June 2025

Check-in is available after 3 PM. A pre-authorization of your card may be required at that time.

What breakfast options are offered for dietary restrictions?

10 July 2024

A gluten-free breakfast is available. It's advisable to inform the hotel of any specific dietary needs when booking.

How can I travel to the university from the hotel without driving?

18 August 2024

Public transport options are available nearby, with regular and reliable buses. A taxi can also be arranged if preferred, and it's about a 30-minute walk.

Is it possible to arrange for a late check-out?

29 September 2024

Late check-out can be requested, but availability is not guaranteed and may depend on the day's occupancy.