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Brook Red Lion Hotel

3.0 star property
3-star Tudor inn near University of Essex

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Photo gallery for Brook Red Lion Hotel

Executive Room (Four Poster) | Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Nightclub
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Room service
  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Laundry

Explore the area

Map
High Street, Colchester, England, CO1 1DJ
  • Colchester Town Hall
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Colchester Castle Park
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • University of Essex
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • London (STN-Stansted)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Executive Room (Four Poster)

Executive Room (Four Poster) | Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Executive Room (Four Poster)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Twin Bed

Standard Room, 1 Twin Bed | Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 1 Twin Bed

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

About the neighborhood

Colchester

City center stay.Steps from the inn, you'll find Colchester Town Hall and Tymperleys Clock Museum. Lion Walk Church and Xtreme Gaming are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Inns in ColchesterOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Colchester Town Hall - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Colchester Castle Museum - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Mercury Theatre - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Colchester Castle Park - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • University of Essex - 5 min drive - 2.3 miles

Getting around

  • Colchester Town Station - 8 min walk
  • Stansted Airport (STN) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Three Wise Monkeys - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Carluccio's - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Wagamama Colchester - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Slug & Lettuce - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Brook Red Lion Hotel

3-star Tudor inn near University of Essex
There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Business amenities include a business center and meeting rooms.

WiFi is free in public spaces. A library, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at the business-friendly Brook Red Lion Hotel.

This Tudor Colchester inn is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 24 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Meeting rooms
  • Built in 1465
  • Deli
  • Business facilities
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Library
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Brook Red Lion Hotel offers 24 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature complimentary newspapers and coffee/tea makers. These individually furnished accommodations include desks. Flat-screen televisions come with pay movies.

Bathrooms include showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. This Colchester inn provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Languages

English

Similar properties

Bar (on property)

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Breakfast available
  • Business services
4.1 out of 5, Very Good, 677 reviews
$77 nightly
The price is $92
Jun 29 - Jun 30
Total includes taxes and fees
Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Height restrictions apply for onsite parking
  • Offsite parking available (GBP 4.50 per night)

Food and drink

  • Daily English breakfast available 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: GBP 10 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Library

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV
  • Pay movies

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Desk
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Heating
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 15 per pet, per night
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 15.0 per night.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for English breakfast: approximately GBP 10 per person
  • Nearby parking fee: GBP 4.50 per night (1640 ft away)
  • Pet fee: GBP 15 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: GBP 15.0 per night
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Parties and events are allowed on site
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB International. Cash is not accepted. Parties and events are allowed on site. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Certain facilities might have restricted access. For details, you can contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Brook Red Lion
Brook Red Lion Colchester
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Brook Red Lion Hotel Colchester
Brook Red Lion Hotel Colchester, Essex
Colchester Red Lion
Red Lion Colchester
Brook Red Lion Hotel Inn
Brook Red Lion Hotel Colchester
Brook Red Lion Hotel Inn Colchester

Frequently asked questions

How close is Brook Red Lion Hotel to the airport?

Brook Red Lion Hotel is 42.1 mi (64-min drive) away from the London (SEN-Southend) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Brook Red Lion Hotel?

As of Jun 14, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Brook Red Lion Hotel on Jun 26, 2025 start from $66.16, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Brook Red Lion Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Brook Red Lion Hotel.

How close is Brook Red Lion Hotel to the beach?

This inn is 14.1 mi (20-min drive) from St. Osyth Beach and 15.5 mi (23-min drive) from Jaywick Sands. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Brook Red Lion Hotel offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t provided at Brook Red Lion Hotel, but English breakfast is offered for a fee of GBP 10 per person. It's available every day from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Brook Red Lion Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this inn.

What time is check-in at Brook Red Lion Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at Brook Red Lion Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this inn.

Does Brook Red Lion Hotel have a pool?

Brook Red Lion Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Brook Red Lion Hotel have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Brook Red Lion Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this inn.

How close is Brook Red Lion Hotel to downtown Colchester?

Brook Red Lion Hotel is 0.1 mi away from Colchester.

Brook Red Lion Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 79 out of 318 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 97 out of 318 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 69 out of 318 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 39 out of 318 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 34 out of 318 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.6/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Natalie

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unfortunately the hotel is in need of a makeover. It’s such a shame as it’s a lovely old building.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Louise

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Karen

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alison

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ahmet

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

al

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

James

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Red Lion Colchester

I’m going to be completely honest. Do not go bro this hotel if you are expecting a 5 star treatment, mod cons and fine dining. But please stay here if you love culture , old buildings and history. The building is amazing , and Angela the manager is equally as amazing , she really went out of her way to take us around the building & tell us all the history linked to it. It is alleged to be very haunted so if you’re scared of things that go bump in the night , go and stay in a premier inn somewhere. Having said that, we stayed in the most haunted room and didn’t experience anything , if you’re over 6 feet tall I wouldn’t recommend the Four poster bed , I couldn’t stretch out as much as I’d have liked too but I was there for the experience and to go back in time and I’m really glad I did. Breakfast was amazing , I had the full English and didn’t leave a crumb. The bar/restaurant area when we stayed was empty… we had the place to ourselves, it just felt like home from home , some people may prefer a bit more atmosphere, I was happy to sit on the sofa and stare at the amazing wooden beams all around me wondering what secrets the walls hold. Overall , there is room for improvement in terms of cleanliness, bathrooms were a bit dated and scruffy… but at the same time you simply can’t ruin a building that amazing by turning it into a modern resort with shiney everything. Man up , and enjoy it for what it is. A piece of history you get to experience
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Barry.

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Bed bugs I have been bitten all over
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

simon

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Worst hotel i ever been to

The reception lady was amazing really friendly,helpful and overall nice. Very warm welcome and good byes.Room was horrible dont even know were to begin. Floors wonky and very squeeky. Furniture and bed stained. Bathroom wonky toilet and bath just horrendous. Windows not double glazed and gap in between windows were cold air just came in. Curtains just falling apart bearly could close them because they were falling of the curtan rails and dont get me started on the noise coming from outside all day and night. Maybe got like an hours sleep all together. Everything in the room was outdated and just unbelievably horrible. Im so sorry but it was the worst hotel i have ever been too. The accommodation was bad but the service of one lady was just amazing.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Martin

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Lynn

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

4/10 Poor

Susan

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Historic hotel just dont take a street facing room

Have stayed here several times for its convenience as a great location for a stay in Colchester - right in the heart of the high street. I have always been very happy but on this occassion we left before sunrise & skipped the breakfast we had paid for. Had it not been for having had a few drinks, we would have in fact left in the middle of the night. Its an historic hotel with charm but it is what it is, old & lacking mod cons. Not a problem at all normalky but on this ocassion we had a room facing the High Street. The noise from happy party people, the pub which was open into the wee small hours, people waiting on buses & taxis was relentless & it was impossible to sleep one wink. I accept a High Street hotel in any city, particularly a builing of this age will not be soundproof but you could hear word for word peoples conversations in the street below. More significant though was a barely tepid shower as the water just never heated up. Additionally the room was not clean. There were cobwebs & dust in the beams & the bed was just awful. The divan base was splattered with some sort of liquid, possibly some blood. The matress had springs almost ready to pop out & my partner had an awful back ache as a result & could barely drive us back home pillows ( 2 squashed into one pillowcase each) were too big & lumpy. Ill stop there as you get the drift. Dont be put off stsying but do make sure you dont get a room at the front. We will only stay again in a room at the back
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Craig

Liked: Staff & service
Hot water fluctuated. Central location handy for walking about town. Staff helpful, especially at breakfast which was filling.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Kamran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My great thanks goes to helpful and friendly staff. Breakfast was very good. Location of the hotel for me was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

Martyn

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harlie

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jude

Business traveler
Liked: Amenities
Very welcoming and I booked it 2 hours prior. Very helpful and couldn’t do enough for you. Totally recommend
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Saintdevil installations

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

dinesh kumar

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I booked a twin room, but when we reached the hotel, there were no twin bedrooms available! 😱 #TravelFail #HotelDisappointment
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

Karen

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The heating was on full abd couldnt not be turned down. No privacy curtain at the massive windows which was heavily over looked, so the main curtains had to be permanently closed for privacy. Very very dirty.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Gary

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at the Red Lion hotel in colchester last week, very historical place, sadly my first bedroom room 14 had major hygiene issues, it was damp, dirty, and i had mice dramas in the room. A mouse ran feom under the bed and under the bedroom door into the hallway. I was told its an old building, and these pests do frequent the hotel. I was to another room 4 doors away in a worse state as the other room. I had to leave, i couldnt stay it was terrible. I wrote in to the manager and was refused my £95 as they said they followed the rules. Note to expedia - you were the booking agent for this hotel, even though the hotel took my payment.. i feel that you are advertising a hotel that has terrible reviews , yet your site reviews gives the impression the hotel you're promoting is a great place to stay. I feel this is terrible advertising on your behalf, and this will make me question trusting hoursite Red Lion Hotel Colchester - i would not recommend staying here with family, its a H&S nightmare.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Tania

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024