GreyFriars offers an idyllic retreat with a tranquil garden, a vibrant coffee shop, and two on-site restaurants serving breakfast to dinner. Connect to WiFi or unwind at one of the 3 bars while appreciating the helpful staff that previous guests have raved about.
Colchester Natural History Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Colchester Castle Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Colchester Town Hall - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
Mercury Theatre - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
Getting around
Stansted Airport (STN) - 38 min drive
London (SEN-Southend) - 45 min drive
Colchester Town Station - 7 min walk
Hythe Station - 22 min walk
Colchester Station - 23 min walk
Restaurants
Three Wise Monkeys - 4 min walk
Goat & Boot - 4 min walk
Istanbul Delight - 6 min walk
Other Monkey Tap Room - 4 min walk
Small Talk Tearooms - 6 min walk
About this property
GreyFriars
Enjoy your visit to Colchester with a stay at GreyFriars. Guests looking for a bite to eat can check out the 2 restaurants, and the 3 bars/lounges are nice spots to grab a drink at the end of the day. Other highlights include a snack bar/deli, a terrace, and a garden. Fellow travelers like the helpful staff and nice bathrooms.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
26 rooms
Arranged over 3 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
DONE
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi and wired internet access in public areas
Free WiFi and wired internet access in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast (surcharge) 7:00 AM–10:00 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM–11:00 AM on weekends
2 restaurants
3 bars/lounges
Coffee shop
24-hour room service
Snack bar/deli
Working away
Business center
Meeting room
Services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Facilities
2 buildings/towers
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Terrace
Banquet hall
Accessibility
Braille/raised signage
Elevator
Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening devices available
Grab bar near toilet
Bathroom emergency pull cord
Room amenities
Be entertained
Flat-screen television
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Free stocked minibar
Espresso maker
Bathrobes and slippers
Sleep well
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Soundproofed rooms
Turndown service
Premium bedding
Freshen up
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi and wired internet
Food and drink
Free bottled water
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Special features
Dining
Onsite venue - This restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 17.50 per person
Children & extra beds
Cribs/infant beds are available for GBP 15.0 per night
Rollaway beds are available for GBP 25.0 per night
Policies
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Also known as
GreyFriars Hotel Colchester
GreyFriars Colchester
GreyFriars Hotel
GreyFriars Colchester
GreyFriars Hotel Colchester
Frequently asked questions
Does GreyFriars offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, GreyFriars does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at GreyFriars?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at GreyFriars?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at GreyFriars?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
What is there to do at GreyFriars and nearby?
GreyFriars has 3 bars and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near GreyFriars?
Yes, there are 2 onsite restaurants.
What's the area around GreyFriars like?
GreyFriars is a short 7-minute walk from Colchester Town Station and 3 minutes' walk from Colchester Castle Park.
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Reviews
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.6
Cleanliness
9.2
Location
9.6
Staff & service
9.4
Property conditions & facilities
Guest review summary
What guests liked
Breakfast was consistently described as excellent, good, delicious, and superb by multiple guests. (44 reviews)
Parking was secure, ample, and easily accessible with a gated entrance. (6 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Breakfast
Food
Location
Bathroom
Bed
Restaurant
Bar
Lobby
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 11, 2026
Overall great stay near all the shops, made to feel very welcome
Madeline
Madeline, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 1, 2026
Lovely friendly staff
Big shout out to the lovely waitress at breakfast who was on her own due to staff sickness and was so pleasant deserving rushed off her feet
Room was nicely decorated and very comfy bed
Kenneth
Kenneth, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 24, 2026
Ideally situated in town.
Car park good
Breakfast good
Bar closed at 11. Did not stay open for residents
David
David, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 12, 2026
An extremely pleasant stay. Clean as a whistle courteous helpful staff. We didnt want to leave
terry
terry, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 10, 2025
Room was clean and comfortable, staff very friendly and helpful.
Carlo
Carlo, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jan 17, 2026
Great room although was very cold on arrival but well furnished, super bathroom and comfortable
Martyn
Martyn, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 6, 2025
We had a wonderful stay all the staff were very helpful, we will stay there again,
Helen
Helen, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 22, 2026
The surroundings were really pleasant. The staff couldn’t be more helpful, offering to take luggage to my room. The room was extremely clean and was above my expectations.
Josephine
Josephine, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 14, 2025
Hi lovely welcome great safe parking and to finish a great breakfast
J m
J m, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Mar 23, 2026
Our first room had problems but we were offered a change of room next day which was adequate tho air conditioning didn’t seem to be working. There were not enough breakfast staff (the 2 people who were on were very good) but we had to wait a long time to get our breakfast, they were trying their best but breakfast became disjointed as they were dealing with several tables and this morning room service too. The bar closed at 11, we thought because it was a hotel there would not be this restriction. On a positive note, we found the staff very helpful.
Martin
Martin, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 27, 2025
A really pleasant stay, hotel is immaculate and very well situated. Pleasant and courteous staff
Very enjoyable
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 26, 2025
This is a great hotel for a short stay in Colchester. A very good breakfast, large rooms, and the location is great if you want to explore Colchester (right by the castle and park).
Lauren
Lauren, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 5, 2025
The room was clean, tidy and beautifully decorated. Which enhanced the luxuriousness of the standard room.
Denise
Denise, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 16, 2025
Room was lovely bright and clean, the lady on Reception was lovely, we are in the restaurant which was excellent. The only downside was the breakfast which wasn’t very good.
Sophie
Sophie, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 9, 2025
Quality breakfast.
Good quality decor.
Good ambience.
Comfortable bed.
Quality bathroom- shower 👍👍
John
John, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 3, 2025
We had a wonderful stay. Very convenient location, we could walk to everything. Reception team was lovely. Staff at breakfast service were a bit slow and could have been more attentive. Overall a great option!
Marielle
Marielle, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 13, 2025
Wonderful stay
Hotel was lovely
Staff great
Fabulous location
Need windows that open.
Amanda J
Amanda J, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 7, 2025
Best hotel in Essex
We stay at this hotel at least a couple of times a year and it never disappoints.
Even the smallest rooms are a good size, the food and cocktails are excellent and the staff can't do enough for you. It's also very conveniently situated a two minute stroll to the high street.
Vernon
Vernon, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 25, 2025
Good locations
Only a few minutes walk to the town. The room is spacious and the breakfast is delicious.
KIM HO
KIM HO, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 14, 2025
Fabulous hotel great staff, loved the bar and a fire in the evening
Caroline
Caroline, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 9, 2025
Great staff and service, decoration is oldy world and would benefit from a refreshuch like they have done with the reception area. Standard double rooms were fine with decent coffee and a Nespresso machine. Bed was ok . Shower was good hotel is very quiet and suffers less with noise than their competitors on the High Street. Breakfast was superb
competitor on the High stlocal competion
Stephen
Stephen, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Sep 11, 2025
A lot of money has obviously been spent on the hotel - to it's benefit, albeit it is somewhat quirky in places. Nevertheless, a very comfortable hotel, very handily placed for the centre of Colchester and surprisingly good value when you consider breakfast, wifi and parking are included.
David
David, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 13, 2023
Brilliant friendly stay - will be back
stephen
stephen, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 6, 2025
The staff make this such a great place to staff; always well taken care of!
Meaghan
Meaghan, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 29, 2024
We enjoyed our stay once again. The hotel is old school but lovely and the staff are great. The breakfast is fantastic!