County Hotel Chelmsford

After an evening out in Chelmsford, I booked a room here after missing my train back to Frinton. When I arrived, the front door was locked, reception was completely unmanned, and despite pressing the buzzer repeatedly for around 20 minutes, nobody appeared. I eventually had no choice but to spend £140 on a taxi home.

I contacted the hotel through Booking.com to explain what happened, but they responded by saying they couldn’t authorise a refund. The customer service has been absolutely unacceptable. Save your money — I certainly won’t be booking here again, and I’ll be taking this further with Booking.com.

Came for New Year eve for dinner and overnight stay

Great value, food superb and Laurence was fantastic. Can't fault her at all. Amelia was the drinks waitress and she managed the crowded dance floor like Ginger Rogers!

Returned to the County Hotel for the 3rd year in a row for our office Christmas lunch. Nothing is too much trouble for Emma in sales. Its easy to book and make any updates. The location is perfect with parking available and for those that don't want to drive its close to public transport On the day the team are friendly, attentive and happy to help. Food is fantastic and good value for money.

The County Hotel kindly hosted our charity's Christmas party this year and it was the best experience we have had in years. They made our staff feel like VIPs for the evening with a beautifully decorated private room, amazing food and attentive servers and hosts. We would love to come back again, what a gem in Chelmsford. A huge thank you to Luis and the team for going above and beyond.

A very good experience - when I arrived they hadn't got that I needed a level access room with a walk in shower and the lift only goes to the first floor. The young lady on reception almost immediately apologised and found me an upgraded room on the first floor (with walk in shower) It was a lovely room with 2 small double beds, very spacious and a very large bathroom. There was a proper dressing table, full length mirror, fluffy white towels and free bottled water.
Everything about the room was good.

Breakfast in the morning was excellent - I had eggs royale and my colleague had a cheese and mushroom omelette, another colleague had full English - all delicious.
The only snag is the car park which seems perpetually full and few disabled spaces.
I would definitely stay here again when in business in Chelmsford.

Excellent, clean and welcoming hotel. Quiet and comfortable room. Breakfast brightened by the very friendly and efficient Chris. Keep it up!

I recently visited after reserving a table in the Rainsford Bar for a group of 6 people. The table was ready and we were greeted on arrival. The staff were friendly and service was excellent. We ordered from the bar menu and the food was lovely. Good portion size, beautifully presented and delicious.
The food and drink was also reasonably priced. We have used the hotel for meetings for many years, but it was lovely to spend a relaxing time there with lunch. Would definitely recommend.

Always a pleasure visiting The County Hotel. We had great service today from Laurene (I hope I have that correct), who was very attentive, very keen to provide good service, and a smile to keep things nicely jogging along. We had everything we wanted with no big deals on the service.

Such a pleasure, thank you.

The County Hotel opened its doors to our Charity for our Christmas Dinner this week. I cannot thank them enough. Each and every staff member fed back that it was the best Christmas meal they had had at any event. The staff, Luis, Ben and Amelia were so attentive and professional. It is not an easy thing - pleasing all the people all the time - but the County Hotel nailed it!

Stayed here as we were attending a graduation at ARU. Travelling as a family we opted for one of the parents - while not physically in the hotel it was perfect for our needs.

The highlight of the stay was breakfast each morning - the food was good - but made better by Chris. I’m not a morning person but she brightened our day. Chatty and engaging, a lovely person that made us feel welcomed. Remembering names and taking a genuine interest. Chris made the stay for us.

I come here once a week for university, every time I come the ladies at reception make me feel very welcome and the next day Chris at breakfast is always very accommodating and quick! The high quality staff add to the experience!

We enjoyed the tasty food at Sapphire Restaurant and attentive service from the waiting staff. This is the 3rd time we visited in a short 2 months period. Thank you very much!

This is my go to hotel when I stay in Chelmsford. I am always made to feel welcome here. It is clean and up together and the breakfasts are great. I would especially like to mention Chris in the restaurant. She always looks after us so well and can’t do enough to help make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you.

Chris in the restaurant was amazing and couldn’t have been helpful and supportive. Great service and engagement with those in the Restaurant at all times! Thanks Chris!

Excellent service, very friendly staff. Ready to answer all of your questions, offering help when needed. Breakfast served by Chris, who is a lovely and warm lady.

Lovely people very friendly helpful.. clean room good food

Secure parking

I have been coming to the country hotel for 13 years and when I think of afternoon tea it is my whole family’s go to! I have tried many other afternoon teas but none compare. We tried the savoury afternoon tea for the first time and I must say this is now my favourite. The food is top quality and there is so much of it fare I say the best scotch egg I’ve ever had. I always leave a review for the county hotel whenever I visit they just leave you feeling like royalty their service is impeccable they cannot do enough for you. Thank you again for a wonderful visit I’ll see you again very soon.

Everything was fine

I had a really bad experience. I chose this purely on cost but I expected more. The room was new and decorated nice but it was in like terrace house, walls so thin I could hear everything. Certainly not good for a couple if you want to do couple things. The room was hot and they just had a desk fan it’s 2025. I’m 14stone so not big and I couldn’t sit comfortably on the toilet it was so tight and a sink in the way. You had to put the kettle on the floor to plug it in. Felt like a cheap b&b at the seaside which I’m not knocking but this is meant to be a 3 star hotel. I can not recommend this to anyone.