The Essex Golf and Country Club

The staff were absolutely wonderful. I got a warm, friendly greeting when I arrived, and everyone I met during the round said hello. The course was in very good condition, even after the two months of continuous rain 2026 had brought us. I look forward to returning.

Vilma served us very well at breakfast, carrying on the theme of polite staff. The spa, hot tub, and steam room were in much better working order than at some branded chain hotels. The hotel is in a separate detached building, though its rooms feel dated and need more than a quick lick of paint. Sound travels between rooms and the acoustics need a major upgrade, as do the bathrooms. The rooms were well heated and the shower had good hot water.

I’ve stayed here regularly for over 12 months, mainly because of the gym and sauna. Without those, I wouldn’t keep coming. Service is fine, the people are good, and the gym/sauna are semi decent, but the lockers need a pound. I couldn’t use the amenities because I didn’t have one. I offered a £5 note to get change, but they looked at me blankly and said it was cashless. When I asked how I could proceed, the answer was basically that I couldn’t. Imagine arriving for a spa weekend or day and finding that. In the restaurant, I regularly order something only to be told “we don’t have that.” The food is inconsistent too: chicken and salmon can be overcooked, and the burgers taste like they’re lathered in butter. The rooms are clean, but there’s no AC, cleaners don’t clean as others have said, and one week I ended up with about 12 glasses in the room. Put bluntly, it feels like a good golf course with a hotel bolted on as an afterthought. I’ve also heard gym membership is £100, which seems crazy for what they offer.

The spa and the pleasant, well-kept grounds made this a relaxing place to stay, and it’s conveniently located too. Our family room had plenty of space and was laid out well, so it worked nicely for a longer visit. It was comfortable and generally clean, though we did find a pair of false eyelashes left in the wardrobe by the previous guests. I’d happily come back and recommend it for a family stay or a short break.