Just a short journey from London is the county of Essex, a green and unspoilt area with charming villages and a stunning coastline. It is the perfect place for a cheap spa weekend or a budget romantic break as well as offering fun for all the family.
Whether you’re after a spa treatment, a little romance in a boutique hotel or a relaxing break in a cosy B&B serving a delicious breakfast, you’ll find that Essex has accommodation to suit every budget. Cheap hotels can be found in cities and near the coastline while the countryside is dotted with budget B&B accommodation and boutique hotels offering spa treatments.
CO6 2NS, Coggeshall, Earls Colne
This modern Golf and Country Club Hotel is 4 miles from Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum and 9 miles from Braintree Shopping Village. The Essex is the perfect place to stay in this idyllic countryside... read more
CO15 1RA, Clacton-on-Sea, Agate Road
The Chudleigh is located close to Clacton-on-Sea's pier, seafront and shopping centre. Established by the current family in 1963, The Chudleigh is a popular Clacton on Sea guest house, with unique architecture. Free WiFi and... read more
CM24 1SF, Stansted Mountfitchet, Round Coppice Road
Featuring a stylish bar, the 4-star Novotel Hotel offers modern bedrooms. The hotel is just a 6-minute bus ride from Stansted Airport terminal building. A 24-hour fitness room is available to guests and there is... read more
RM19 1QA, Purfleet, High Street
Situated within just 4 miles from the nearest junction for the M25 motorway, the Royal offers spacious en suite rooms. The The Royal Hotel TLK boasts a superb riverside location, with terraces overlooking the Thames.... read more
CO15 1PX, Clacton-on-Sea, 2-4 Colne Road
Langtry Hotel is a budget hotel, just a few metres from Clacton's lively seafront and pier, The Langtry has free parking subject to availability, free WiFi and a cosy lounge bar. Clacton town centre, the... read more
CO6 3QL, Colchester, Abbotts Lane - Eight Ash Green
In a quiet village setting, just off the A12, outside the ancient Roman town of Colchester, this modern hotel offers great value with free parking and an indoor pool. Close to junction 26 of the... read more
CO15 5JB, Clacton-on-Sea, Kings Parade
This property is on the Tendring Peninsula, situated on the coastal road, providing cliff top views.The property features a garden and a terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout. Each room features a private bathroom with... read more
RM19 1YN, Grays Thurrock, Ship Lane
This hotel is ideally situated within 2 minutes of the M25, at the Dartford Crossing, and a 2-minute drive from Lakeside Shopping Centre. Bluewater Shopping Centre is 6.5 miles away. On site parking is available... read more
CM22 6QR, Takeley, Takeley Street
This modern and comfortable lodge is less than 5 minutes' car journey from Stansted Airport terminal and offers free Wi-Fi access in all rooms. Each of the good-value rooms at Stansted Airport Lodge comes equipped... read more
CM19 5EJ, Roydon, Roydon Mill Estate
Roydon Marina Village Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Roydon Rail Station, which has direct links to Stratford Rail Station. Marina Village hotel is located on the River Stort, in the heart of the... read more
SS4 1BU, Southend-on-Sea, Bradley Way
This hotel is situated in the picturesque Essex village town of Rochford, less than a mile from the airport and 200 yards from the mainline railway station. Rooms at The Rochford Hotel each have a... read more
CM2 8HR, Chelmsford, West Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow
Pontlands Park is located in countryside just 15 minutes’ drive from the M25 and 30 minutes from Stansted Airport. Built in 1879 the hotel features Victorian architecture and relaxed splendour. The hotel is situated to... read more
CM4 0EH, Chelmsford, Writtle Road, Margaretting
Nestled in Essex countryside, this hotel is set in 9 acres of garden and parkland in the village of Margaretting and is close to the A12 between Chelmsford and Brentwood. Originally a Victorian country house,... read more
EN9 3LX, Waltham Abbey, Old Shire Lane
The Delta Hotels by Marriott Waltham Abbey is just a 20-minute drive from Stansted Airport and 30 minutes from Central London. Guests get free WiFi in the public areas. All rooms at the Waltham Abbey... read more
CM22 6EG, Elsenham, 1 Mill Close
Budget friendly, clean, homely guest house about 10 minutes drive from London Stansted Airport (3.6 miles). Fast, easy and convenient SELF CHECK-IN and SELF CHECK-OUT. You will receive an email with self check in information... read more
SS1 1DY, Southend-on-Sea, 5 Royal Terrace
In central Southend, with spectacular views of the pier and estuary, these boutique self-catering luxury apartments offer free high-speed WiFi, 32-inch LCD televisions, a Blu-ray player, a music system and a kitchen and a dining... read more
CO9 4HJ, Great Yeldham, Poole Street
With gardens, open fireplaces and traditional wooden beams, this beautiful 15th-century inn offers free internet and a 2 AA Rosette restaurant using local, seasonal ingredients. The White Hart is on the Essex/Suffolk border and about... read more
CM2 0DD, Chelmsford, 39 - 43 Baddow Road
Overlooking the River Chelmer, these apartments are in a quiet, central area of Chelmsford. Enjoy a fully equipped kitchen and a 42-inch plasma-screen TV with full Sky channel package. Chelmsford Serviced Apartments are 2-3 minutes’... read more
RM20 3JQ, Grays Thurrock, Weston Avenue West Thurrock
Close to the junction of the A13 and the M25 motorway and less than a mile from Lakeside Shopping Centre, the ibis London Thurrock M25 offers free parking and en-suite rooms. The ibis London Thurrock... read more
CM23 5QZ, Stansted Mountfitchet, Birchanger Green Services, M11 Motorway J8, Old Dunmow Road, Bishop's Stortford
Ramada London Stansted Airport is located just off the M11, and only a 3-minute drive from Stansted Airport. This air-conditioned hotel offers modern en-suite rooms with unlimited free Wi-Fi, power showers and flat-screen TVs. Parking... read more
SS13BG, Southend-on-Sea, 10-12 Thorpe Esplanade
With lovely views of the Thames Estuary, this Southend-on-Sea hotel offers free Wi-Fi, treatment rooms, and free parking. The Restaurant offers seafood specialities and classic British dishes with a contemporary twist. Guests can either dine... read more
RM16 3HS, Orsett, Prince Charles Avenue
Orsett Hall Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is surrounded by Essex countryside, and offers accommodation in Orsett. This 4-star hotel is set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens and features a spa and gym, onsite hair... read more
CM3 3JA, Chelmsford, Main Road
An independent hotel with a continental feel, the Lion Inn has a bar, an elegant bistro-style restaurant and spacious air-conditioned rooms flat-screen TVs and free wired internet. For many years, the Lion Inn was a... read more
CM6 2PL, Thaxted, The Bull Ring
In picturesque Thaxted, Swan Hotel is just 8 miles from London Stansted Airport. The historic coaching inn features a charming restaurant, real ale bar and elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi. The bright and airy bedrooms... read more
SS0 7QW, Southend-on-Sea, 18-20 Westcliff Parade
Dating back to 1891, this magnificent Victorian hotel is close to the seafront with spectacular views over the Thames Estuary. It has a high, clifftop location and provides individually decorated rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a... read more
SS1 1HG, Southend-on-Sea, 9-13 Wilson Rd
Just metres from the Southend seafront, Ilfracombe House Hotel - near Cliffs Pavilion is set in central Southend, offering free car parking and free Wi-Fi. Rooms come with a flat screen TV with digital channels.... read more
SS1 3AA, Southend-on-Sea, 178 Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Bay
Located on the seafront at Southend-On-Sea, with views of The Thames Estuary, Camelia Hotel is just one mile from Southend on Sea. It has good food, free Wi-Fi and free parking. The train station is... read more
CO6 1DU, Colchester, London Road, Marks Tey
As part of our continued commitment to enhance our property and service, we are currently in the process of renovating our rooms and public areas, due for completion spring 2024. During the renovation period, work... read more
CO7 7QY, Colchester, A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction
This property is located a 10 minute drive from Colchester centre, next to the A12 motorway. There is an on-site restaurant and free parking. Free high-speed WiFi is available throughout the property. Each bedroom at... read more
CM7 9AB, Braintree, Bocking End
This 16th-century inn in Braintree town centre is 25 minutes from Stansted Airport. It offers free Wi-Fi, a free private car park and 2 characterful bars with log fires. All bedrooms have free Wi-Fi access,... read more
You’ll find many cheap romantic hotels in Essex, that as well as having a spa also offer swimming pools and fitness centres or restaurants serving delicious local produce for breakfast and dinner. Cheap beachside hotels are perfect for breaks with your friends while boutique accommodation offers a romantic interlude for special anniversaries.
If you’re travelling with children, look out for cheap hotels near sandy beaches or theme parks like Adventure Island at Southend-on-Sea.
Towns like Colchester, Saffron Walden and Billericay offer culture and history while Clacton-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are full of traditional seaside fun. Victorian townhouses have been converted into charming boutique hotels or B&Bs which offer you a daily home-cooked breakfast.
Away from busy towns, the stunning countryside is dotted with little villages where pubs offer accommodation along with a cooked breakfast and thatched cottages have been turned into family-run budget B&Bs.
The county’s beautiful countryside is perfect for a romantic getaway in a boutique B&B. Dedham Vale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty while the coastal towns of Maldon and Manningtree are just right for a romantic break and some spa treatments. Plan your day’s itinerary while enjoying your B&B breakfast or simply meander through country lanes and enjoy walking trails that lead you through rich farmland and thatched and timbered villages.
Essex is one of the driest counties in the UK, which combined with its sunshine creates the ideal conditions for grapes. New Hall is the oldest vineyard in England. After a vineyard tour, stop off for a pub lunch and sample some Colchester oysters or food flavoured with Maldon Sea Salt. Wherever your day takes you, you’re never far from cheap but comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation in spa or boutique hotels.
Many of these cheap bed and breakfast hotels can be found along the 350 miles of Essex coastline. This diverse coastline takes in family-friendly beaches and traditional seaside activities as well as rugged beaches rich in wildlife, saltmarshes, estuaries and tidal inlets. It is a shoreline that boasts wonderful sunsets and a changing scenery that can be enjoyed at any time of the year from your romantic boutique hotel or budget B&B.
Lovers of historic houses will want to visit Audley End House and Garden with its fascinating Victorian Service Wing. Climbing the tower of the Tudor Layer Marney House reveals marvellous views of the Blackwater Estuary and out to sea. This 16th-century house was a favourite of Henry VIII.
In contrast, Firstsite in Colchester is a remarkable contemporary building which can easily be reached from your budget accommodation in the city. This golden architectural gem was designed by Rafael Viñoly and is a versatile art and exhibition space. If you’re planning to take in a show here, why not stay nearby in a romantic boutique B&B?
Essex has plenty for the kids to enjoy and every attraction is close to cheap hotels with family-sized rooms or a B&B where the whole family can tuck into a filling breakfast before starting the day’s adventures. Colchester Zoo is rated within the world’s top 20 and is home to over 270 species housed in a beautiful park with lakes. Colchester Castle boasts the biggest Norman keep in Europe and with its interactive exhibits is always a hit with children.
Whatever your budget, and with everything from romantic breaks to spa holidays, Essex really is a county that has something for everyone.
