Many of the best Hotels in Essex are situated in this north-east corner of the county, near the Suffolk border. It is also one of the most picturesque parts of the county which Constable, Turner and others have painted.
The Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum in Dedham Vale houses over 200 of his paintings. The Milsom family started Maison Talbooth in the 1970s and have since added milsoms – a 15 bedroom hotel in Essex nearby and Le Talbooth, the Michelin-starred riverside restaurant.
Also in Dedham opposite the church is the Sun Inn, where the dining rooms are always busy. It has just five bedrooms. The Milsom family also own the Pier at Harwich, facing the harbour. Another Harwich hotel is The Tower at Doverscourt, a late 17th century Italian style building. Between Dedham and Harwich you will go through the attractive village of Mistley which has the splendid Mistley Thorn, currently being extended.
Down the A12 near Colchester (Roman Camolodunum) at Tolleshunt Knights is one of the finest golfing Hotels in Essex, The Five Lakes, with 320 acres of grounds and two golf courses. The George Hotel in the town centre, originally a coaching inn, has 47 bedrooms.
Between Colchester and Chelmsford at Witham is the Rivenhall Hotel, a modern 55 bedroom hotel with gym, pool and sauna. North of Chelmsford at Little Waltham is the intriguing Channels Lodge which
supplies stylish accommodation for weddings at the nearby Golf Club.
Prested Hall at Kelvedon, just off the A12, has some of the best facilities of any Hotel in Essex, with a real tennis court, spa and pool.