The Pier at Harwich
The Pier was built in 1862 in the style of a Venetian palazzo to provide overnight accommodation for passengers travelling by train and ship to the Continent.
The Great Eastern Railway’s terminal was the Ha’Penny Pier (the cost of entry in those days). Gerald Milsom bought the Pier in 1978 and opened a seafood restaurant. It is wonderfully situated on the seafront overlooking the harbour at the confluence of the Stour and Orwell rivers. Across the water is Shotley Yacht Marina with Felixstowe in the distance. Yachts and boats can be chartered from the hotel by arrangement.
The visitor enters from the street a most attractive brasserie. The ambience is rustic but comfortable with scrubbed floors, Farrow & Ball cream and taupe paintwork, framed posters and wooden mirrors. Guests jot down their orders on a notepad and hand them to one of the helpful staff.
An elegant wooden staircase, whose walls feature large nautical oil paintings, leads to the attractive upstairs a la carte, AA rosette Harbourside Restaurant. Seven of the en suite bedrooms are in this main building, seven in the adjacent Angel, all very attractive with a nautical flavour and panoramic sea views. Bathrooms have white ceramic tiles and large shower heads.
The Angel also has a comfortable sitting room, with bar & eating area, and large screen TV. This can also be hired for private functions.
Rooms: 14
Rates
Single room inc. breakfast from £80.00
Double room inc. breakfast from £110.00
Hotel reviews
October 2011 : My husband and I have just spent the night at the Pier and is was a really fantastic experience. The welcome was very warm and the staff were attentive and friendly throughout our stay…. We were staying on a dinner, b&b basis and ate in the Harbourside restaurant, where the food was first class.
Review by JW
September 2011 : The rooms are very well decorated with nice rainhead showers and quality toiletries. Comfortable bed with decent pillows. The bistro is better value than the restaurant and the service was good. WIFI works in the room and is free.
Review by TC
January 2011 : Excellent boutique hotel with rooms of a very high standard. We took advantage of their New Year package and stayed two nights. Food in the main restaurant was excellent with god choices for each course. Lots of fish, if that’s of interest, Stayed in the annexe rooms where rooms are very well appointed with fantastic bathrooms. Very good value for money. View was across the estuary where there was always something happening.
Review by CF