Dog Friendly Cottages in Colchester

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  What a wonderful place this is. Located in a beautiful, historic, semi-rural part of Essex just outside Colchester, quiet but just 20mins from the heart of city and with other small towns and villages nearby. The property has been very sensitively renovated, to create functional, comfortable holiday accommodation that retains its historical characteristics. Inside, there is more space that one might imagine with two receptions, a large, well-equipped kitchen and downstairs WC, plus two large bedrooms, both with large ensuite bath/shower rooms. The beds are really comfortable. All that was missing for us was a full-length mirror and hooks on the back of the doors (hoping the owner will add these!). We cook every day and found the kitchen had everything we needed (although no salt/pepper that we could find - please add this!). The oven and hob were clean and really easy to use. Outside, the space is extensive and private and the inclusion of a hot tub is very welcome (staff check it daily on weekdays but are friendly and unobtrusive). Ideal for relaxing and also as a base for exploring the local area. Just half an hour away from the lovely beach at Mersea Island. There are another five lodges on the site but they are some distance away from Crows Hall, although as guests of the estate we were free to roam the entire site, which includes a fishing lake, which we really appreciated. We have stayed in many self-catering places and this is one of the best.

  Read more less >

• Ann - Verified booking

  Beautiful cottage, well kept, adjacent to owners home.

  Debbie was available at all times and interested in what we had planned for our stay, giving us advice where needed. The open layout of the cottage was well planned and roomy, with the main doorway leading into a well equipped kitchen, off which was the seating and dining area. The bedroom and bathroom are off this area, at either end of a hallway. The bedroom had a really comfortable 6ft wide double bed, available as singles if required, whilst the spacious bathroom had a walk-in double headed shower, with toilet and sink. The cottage has its own private patio area, leading from the kitchen, with table and seating area, as well as a four person hot tub, with parasol. Separate bins are nearby for the recycling of rubbish, including food waste. The cottage is surrounded by the owners' grassed area, with a path leading to the shared heated swimming pool. The nearby bus route and train line (both which can prove to be a little noisy) provide access into Colchester. Well worth a visit and highly recommended - it is somewhere we would have no hesitation in going back too.

  Read more less >

• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  This property would have four stars except for the condition of the kitchen equipment which was well below what we have come to expect from Rural Retreats. The washing machine was old and the door button broke (apparently it has happened previously) and we were unable to get our clothes out. The tumble element didn’t work. The dishwasher was corroded and rusty inside, therefore we decided to wash dishes in the sink. A couple of baking trays were dirty and very well-used. A couple of crockery pieces were quite chipped and the frying pans provided were used to the point they had lost the non-stick element. The egg cups provided were also rusted and unsightly, again they were not used. This information was reported to the email provided for Wakes Colne lodges while we were there and I advised I had photos if that would help, but no response was received. Everything else was wonderfully comfortable and we had a great relaxing break, but the kitchen equipment needs attention. This is not what we have experienced before through Rural Retreats or would expect.

  Read more less >

• Claire & Max - Verified booking

  I am not exaggerating when I say 'Out of this world'. We arrived on Good Friday for the Easter weekend. Our lodge was ready before check in time so we were allowed to begin our weekend early. We walked in and were overwhelmed by the size of the lodge. It is beautifully decorated and spacious and wowed us from opening the front door. My Fiance and I had the master room - this was truly outstanding. The bathroom is huge and again decorated beautifully. Our friends had the twin room and again was beautifully decorated. The views from the veranda are great and they over look the lake on the hill. The first day was a little cloudy but this didn't dampen our spirits. After unpacking we opened a bottle of Champagne as we were celebrating our recent engagement. We opened the hot tub and in we got. We stayed there for 5 hours! Anyway the whole weekend was amazing and we are already planning our next visit with our friends. Thank you so much to the housekeeper as well, she was always at the end of the phone if you needed her.

  Read more less >

• Ian - Verified booking

  The owner Debbie made us feel at home & was on hand if we needed anything.

  When we arrived we found some lovely goodies such as eggs from Debbie's own hens, bottle of fizzy, bread, milk and even treats for our dog Jasper. The accommodation was spotless & well appointed, would of liked a DVD player but if you have an Amazon or Netflix account you can log on & watch your films anyway which we did. The super king size bed was wonderful & we slept very well. Nothing to fault at the accommodation. The outdoors hot tub was lovely to have which we could use at any time, only used the outdoor swimming pool once as we were out every day visiting local places like Frinton, Clacton, Walton on the Naze, Wivenhoe & Brightlingsea - all very nearby. I have to mention the busy road nearby which although didn't bother us but our rather nervous pooch found it difficult. For that reason alone we probably won't be back which we told Debbie about shame really as we would definitely of booked next year. Thanks to Debbie for making our break very enjoyable.

  Read more less >