Wivenhoe House - Warm, Welcoming and Winsome

Wivenhoe House is the perfect setting for a trip to Colchester. Whether you are visiting Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle or seeking to explore Constable country, the Grade II listed Wivenhoe House is an excellent choice.

Located in the lush grounds of Wivenhoe Park, Wivenhoe House shares its entrance with the University of Essex. The 4-star luxury hotel comprises of a traditional main house (with a stunning façade) and a modern garden wing. There are 16 individual suites and bedrooms in the main house while the garden wing has 24 contemporary bedrooms. The garden wing houses the brasserie while the lounges are in the main house overlooking the lawn and the parklands. The décor in the main house is rich and has a vintage charm while the garden wing boasts of contemporary décor and styling.

Checking In

The check in was very quick and the members of staff at the reception were friendly. Within a few minutes of our arrival we were shown to our room and en route the staff member escorting us explained about the location and timings of the brasserie and the bar. On reaching our room, the staff member explained about the facilities in-room and room service. Everything was very professional and swift.

The Room

Our bedroom, in the modern wing, was very contemporary in style. It was a good sized room and had a seating area outside with beautiful views of the well-maintained green. The room was furnished with all mod-cons one would expect - an iMac, a comfortable sofa, tea making facilities, hair dryer, fluffy robes and slippers. The bed was really comfortable. The room had large sliding doors but the drapes created total blackout ensuring we had a good nights sleep. The bathroom was not very big but was clean and had a large shower.

Although the hotel is situated on the University campus, we found the place quite peaceful during our visit. It may not be the case at all times because the football grounds are nearby but you can talk to the hotel team if you require a room which offers more peace and quiet.

Amazing Dining Experience

Undoubtedly the highlight of our stay was the dining experience at the Brasserie. Breakfast was lovely - a selection of fresh fruit juices, cereals, yoghurt, fruits and croissants in addition to cooked breakfast. Dinner was amazing. Our dietary preferences had been passed on to the chef earlier and our special dinner was absolutely delicious. As the waiter approached our table with the food, I knew it would be a hearty and tasty meal and I was not wrong. The presentation was also excellent and all our dishes were beautifully balanced in terms of texture and taste.

In addition to the excellent food, the service was perfect making it a very memorable evening for us. The waiter talked us through each course. He was friendly and attentive but maintained the perfect balance between engagement and withdrawing. Absolutely nothing to fault here.

Wivenhoe House is unique in the sense that it is run by professionals and students together. It is home to the Edge Hotel School that offers courses in the hospitality industry which includes professional experience in Wivenhoe House. As such you will notice a lot of students working alongside the professionals in all departments of Wivenhoe House. It is a wonderful concept.

University of Essex

As a guest at Wivenhoe House, you can take advantage of the sports and fitness facilities at the University of Essex at a discounted rate. While we did not use the facilities, it was good to know that guests could use the gym and fitness studio, squash courts, climbing wall and outdoor tennis courts in the campus. We went for walks in the woodland area around the campus and loved it. It is a nice place to explore if you love leisurely walks.

Plan Your Stay

Wivenhoe House is a good choice for a weekend away in Colchester. Rooms start from £99 for a Standard Double based on double occupancy and includes a full English breakfast. Luxury suites in the main house are from £200. Wivenhoe House also have a couple of special packages at the moment. One of them is the Spring package which includes B&B and a bottle of Prosecco for two and is priced at £55 per person. They also have a Romance package which includes dinner, bed, breakfast, champagne and chocolate strawberries on arrival for two and is priced at £107 per person.

Wivenhoe House | Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
Telephone | +44 (0)1206 863666

* Although we were provided a complimentary stay at Wivenhoe House, all opinions stay our own.