Brook Red Lion Hotel

What People are saying

Friendly and accommodating.

felicm60on 24/08/2017 23:05

I loved staying at this hotel. They were always keen to give us a little history talk about the hotel and they even showed us Alice's 'haunted' room. Although more modern areas have been added on, you can still see the original build which was fascinating. I found the rooms basic but comfortable... what else would you expect from a 600 year old building? There was always tea and coffee in the room for when we came back and when we wanted extra milk they didn't question why, they just handed it over. The staff were friendly and always ready for a chat. I would recommend this hotel for all those who want to stay in an historic building. Bear in mind that it is on the High Street so there is some noise from revelers, but not bad enough for me to complain too much about. When I come back to Colchester we will stay here again.

not the best

caroleverett9on 24/08/2017 09:35

this is an attractive venue unfortunately the afternoon tea we purchased was quite poor, the bread could have been fresher, cakes were mediocer and the scones looked small and shop bought, the lady that served us was pleasent and helpful.

No working shower; no lift; stuffy room

Helen Xon 21/08/2017 09:55

Travelled on a business trip. My elderly mum came with me for company. Paid £75 for a triple room as they had no twin rooms left. My mum is bad on her feet and I had a very heavy suitcase of files and papers for work. We were advised on arrival that there were no lifts; understandable as this is a very old building. However I was reassured that there were only a few stairs to our room. I asked if there was anyone to help with the luggage but there was only a young girl on the desk and she seemed to be the only person available.

It wasn't a few stairs at all. Quite a number of stairs, over two floors, which was very difficult when you're trying to lift a very heavy suitcase and also get an elderly lady up the stairs as well.

I booked this hotel partly because I thought we would be able to get a meal and a drink in the one place save going out anywhere as it had been a really early start at 4am and we were tired. Nothing seemed to be open within the hotel, no one appeared to be serving in the bar so we had to go out.

Whilst the towels were nice and fluffy and in plentiful supply the shower was absolutely awful. It wasn't really a workable shower at all. There is no cold water from the taps. Both the hot and cold taps emit boiling hot water. I tried switching the cold on on its own and waiting for cold water to come through but it still persisted in giving out scalding hot water. In the end I couldn't shower as the water was just too hot. A real real bug bear for me. By that time it was 10 at night so no prospect of changing rooms and we were leaving early the next morning anyway. The toilet didn't flush either.

We were in a room at the top floor and I noticed that the sash window was open in the room on arrival. It soon became apparent why. The room was incredibly stuffy in the night, even with the sash window open. I had to search out an electric fan in the room and keep it on the entire night but had a really poor sleep because of the heat.

When leaving I then had to struggle with my case all the way down the stairs again as again, even in the morning, there was no one to help me carry it down.

Sadly, even making allowances for the fact that this hotel is very old, basic standards just aren't met. If you know the showers and toilets don't work because the plumbing is old, then that's fine but don't advertise that the facilities include a bathroom, because the least your guests will expect is that it actually works. At £75 a night, mid-week, just for the room, this isn't exactly cheap. For that price, the least I expected was a working shower.

The stairs with no lift facilities I accept are part and parcel of an old building and I should have checked before bringing my mum to such a hotel but I would have at least expected a night porter or someone to help with luggage, especially when the hotel doesn't have lift facilities.

The staff, I have to say were absolutely lovely and doing the best that they could. I can level no criticism at them at all.

In all, had this hotel been charging £40 or even £50 a night I could have had little complaint really for the problems I had. But £75, in the middle of the week is absolutely extortionate for a room with these issues.

Absolutely would not recommend and certainly won't be staying here again.

Extremely Poor

FranS1996on 15/08/2017 20:18

Booked this hotel as i was away with work.
I got given my room key and went to my room only to realise that the room hadn't even been cleaned from the night before! I returned downstairs and the receptionist gave me another key to another room, went to the next room and once again the room hadn't been cleaned from the night before! Finally it was third time lucky and i got a clean room, I got settled in and Jumped in the shower only to realise that the hot and cold taps to the shower were linked to the same pipe....meaning i had a scolding hot shower...there was no cold water!

Wont be staying here again.

Disappointing

lesleycameron57on 02/08/2017 13:40

My husband and I booked this hotel with a 2 night break voucher our daughter bought us for Christmas it should have included 2 nights bed and breakfast and an evening meal on the first night .on booking was told the restaurant wasn't open on first night so booked meal for second night .Didnt get a wink of sleep as our room overlooked a taxi rank with noisy people swearing and shouting till early hours of the morning then the noise of shop deliveries and street cleaning.went for breakfast and was told the chef had rung he wasn't coming in that evening but if we ate else where we could submit the bill and they would pay it as we only took a small amount of money for sightseeing and no cards we decided to leave early and put it down to experience disastrous trip all round