Business Details
11 Years
experience
Luxury Hotel in Colchester | GreyFriars Hotel & Restaurant
GreyFriars Hotel & Restaurant is a Michelin-recommended luxury hotel established in 2015, offering 5-star service in Colchester's Cultural Quarter. Our 26 exquisitely appointed bedrooms and suites combine classical elegance with contemporary comfort, featuring bespoke UK-crafted furnishings and marble bathrooms. Located at the heart of East Anglia's historic landscape, we provide direct access to Colchester Castle and other cultural landmarks while maintaining proximity to modern amenities. Our culinary offerings include multiple dining venues serving locally sourced cuisine, complemented by private event spaces for weddings and corporate functions.With extensive on-site parking and meticulously curated guest experiences, we position ourselves as the premier destination for discerning visitors seeking exceptional service and historical ambiance. Our team combines decades of hospitality expertise with a commitment to preserving architectural heritage, ensuring every guest benefits from both modern comforts and timeless elegance. We maintain rigorous quality standards through continuous staff training and adherence to international hospitality benchmarks, evidenced by our Michelin recognition and consistent guest satisfaction metrics.
Services
Luxury Accommodation
Fine Dining
Event Hosting
Private Dining
Afternoon Tea
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer Michelin-recommended culinary excellence with locally sourced ingredients
- Our 5-star service combines historical charm with modern amenities
- Prime location within Colchester's Cultural Quarter near major attractions
- Each of our 26 rooms features bespoke UK-crafted furnishings and marble bathrooms
- We provide exclusive event hosting in historic venues with dedicated parking
Associations and certifications
- Michelin Recommended
What people say
Michelin-recommended cuisine
Elegant historic setting
Attentive service
Exquisite decor
Prime location
Services
Luxury Accommodation
Our 26 luxuriously appointed bedrooms and suites combine classical elegance with contemporary design. Each room features bespoke UK-crafted furniture, Voyage Indian Silk curtains, and marble bathrooms with underfloor heating. The accommodations range from Club Rooms to Grand Luxe Signature Suites, all maintaining 5-star standards while reflecting the historic buildings' unique character.
Fine Dining
We offer multiple dining venues serving locally sourced cuisine with verified provenance. The Rose Room provides seasonal menus in an elegant setting, while Cloisters Restaurant offers a la carte options in an Art Deco space. Our Brasserie menu is available throughout lounges and terraces, complemented by an extensive wine list and specialist tea offerings.
Event Hosting
Our historic venues accommodate events from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. The Salon seats 18 guests in an 18th-century panelled room, while Cloisters offers flexible Art Deco space for up to 90 attendees. We provide tailored services for weddings, corporate events, and private parties with dedicated event coordination and bespoke menu creation.
Afternoon Tea
We serve traditional afternoon tea in our Baroque Bar and Salon venues. Our offering includes finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, and patisserie creations. Guests can enjoy this experience with vintage champagnes or choose from our selection of specialty JING teas in a luxurious setting with two open fires.
Private Parking
Ample secure on-site parking is available for all guests. The car park features an intercom system for direct communication with reception, automatic gate access, and dedicated spaces for hotel visitors. This facility is included complimentary with all room bookings and event reservations.
Questions
What makes GreyFriars Hotel & Restaurant a unique accommodation choice in Colchester?
We combine three historic buildings with modern luxury, offering Michelin-recommended dining and 5-star service in Colchester's Cultural Quarter.
Do you offer special packages for weddings?
Yes, we provide bespoke wedding packages including venue hire, accommodation, and catering for ceremonies and receptions up to 90 guests.
Are pets allowed at the hotel?
Dogs are welcome in the Baroque Bar and on the Terrace areas, with prior arrangement.
What dining options are available for guests?
We offer breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and evening dining across multiple venues with menus ranging from Brasserie to fine dining.
Is parking available for guests?
Yes, we provide ample secure on-site parking with direct access to the hotel, included complimentary with your stay.
Can I book private events at GreyFriars Hotel & Restaurant?
We host exclusive corporate and private events in historic venues, with tailored services for groups up to 90 attendees.
Reviews (7)
Gary Sutherland
Dec 31, 2021
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Haven't eaten here yet but the cocktails are great and the service was on point. Friendly and polite. Will definitely be back again.
Donna Lenihan Sullivan
Dec 04, 2021
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Today we attended the hotel restaurant for a birthday there was 14 of us and what a fabulous time we had. The food was excellent and the staff so friendly. We got our meals at the same time, which for any restaurant contending with multiple guests is very hard. Thank you for a great time
Michael Phillips
Dec 03, 2021
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Very plush decor. Food beautifully presented and very tasty. Good menu choice for all tastes and needs. Service efficient and humble.
The Mad Leprechaun
Nov 29, 2021
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We had afternoon tea on Monday 1st of November. Jodie looked after us,as my sister in law had just got married. The hole experience was wonderful. See you again one day soon!
Alexandra Sa
Nov 27, 2021
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The hubby and I went for a one night stay in a standard room, and we were very pleasantly surprised by how good this hotel is. Incredibly professional and friendly staff, nice decor, and thoughtfully furnished bedrooms with great quality linens and all the little touches, like a complimentary minibar, and an iron, a hairdryer, an umbrella, and l'occitane toiletries. The breakfast served in their restaurant downstairs was exceptional. I'm gutted not to give this lovely hotel 5 stars, but unfortunately we had a pretty bad night's sleep. The mattress was lumpy and there was a green light from the
Nicola C.
Oct 14, 2021
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There is nothing not to love about this beautiful hotel. Friendly and welcoming staff, gorgeous rooms with a complementary mini bar of water and soft drinks , and fresh milk for tea and coffee in the fridge. The full English breakfast was DELICIOUS and after checking out I enjoyed coffee in the lounge before leaving. This is a gem of a place - close to town, has ample parking and wonderful staff. I think I want to live here!
Laura Crowe
Sep 24, 2021
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We stayed here for our 1st wedding anniversary and had a lovely stay. Bedroom was stunning, very spacious, clean, had a mini bar and air con. Food was very good but service very slow (took 3 hours for our 3 courses). Would stay again.
