# 141 Family-friendly hotels in Essex (2026)

> 141 family-friendly hotels in Essex, best reviewed first — including Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport. Ratings, locations and details.

Source: https://staycation.co.uk/essex/hotels/family-friendly (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version.

141 listed · best reviewed first

Updated 31 August 2026 · Ratings from Google · [All hotels and B&Bs in Essex](https://staycation.co.uk/essex/hotels)

[Dog-friendly 27](https://staycation.co.uk/essex/hotels/dog-friendly) [Families 141](https://staycation.co.uk/essex/hotels/family-friendly)

[Stansted Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport ★ 4.3 (5,385) A 357-room hotel in Stansted Mountfitchet, within walking distance of the airport terminal and close to rail links for onward travel.](https://staycation.co.uk/stansted-mountfitchet/hotels/hampton-by-hilton-london-stansted-airport) [Chelmsford The Lion Inn ★ 4.6 (2,929) A traditional inn on Main Road in Chelmsford, close to Hylands House, with free parking and a garden for relaxing.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/the-lion-inn) [Southend-on-Sea Roslin Beach Hotel ★ 4.6 (2,720) A 62-room seafront hotel in Southend-on-Sea, well suited to family breaks, weddings and weekend seaside stays alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/southend-on-sea/hotels/roslin-beach-hotel) [Stansted Premier Inn London Stansted Airport ★ 4.1 (5,171) Premier Inn London Stansted Airport offers on-site dining and a bar just 1.5 miles from the terminal, with 303 soundproof rooms.](https://staycation.co.uk/stansted-airport/hotels/premier-inn-london-stansted-airport) [Grays Orsett Hall Hotel ★ 4.3 (2,936) A 56-room hotel on Prince Charles Avenue in Grays, Essex, with its own spa, gym and gardens plus a busy wedding and events trade.](https://staycation.co.uk/grays/hotels/orsett-hall-hotel) [Stansted Novotel London Stansted Airport ★ 4.1 (3,300) A 250-room hotel on Round Coppice Road in Stanstead, close to golf, pubs and restaurants, with easy airport transfers and on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/stanstead/hotels/novotel-london-stansted-airport) [Brentwood Holiday Inn Brentwood M25 Jct 28 ★ 4.3 (2,261) Handy motorway-junction hotel in Brentwood, Essex, suited to drivers, business stopovers and families who want a pool and gym on site.](https://staycation.co.uk/brentwood/hotels/holiday-inn-brentwood-m25-jct-28) [Southend-on-Sea Camelia Hotel ★ 4.7 (1,171) Seafront hotel on Southend's Eastern Esplanade with a bar, restaurant and breakfast, handy for the Pier and Adventure Island.](https://staycation.co.uk/southend-on-sea/hotels/camelia-hotel) [Harwich Alma Inn and Dining Rooms ★ 4.6 (1,344) A historic inn on Kings Head Street in Harwich, Essex, pairing comfortable rooms with a dining room built around local produce.](https://staycation.co.uk/harwich/hotels/alma-inn-and-dining-rooms) [Stanford-le-Hope The Bell Inn ★ 4.6 (1,332) A 26-room coaching inn on the High Road in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, with a restaurant, bar and garden and free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/stanford-le-hope/hotels/the-bell-inn) [Essex ibis London Thurrock M25 ★ 4.2 (2,324) A 168-room budget hotel on Weston Avenue in Grays, right by the M25, with free on-site parking and family rooms.](https://staycation.co.uk/grays/hotels/ibis-london-thurrock-m25) [Southend-on-Sea Holiday Inn Southend ★ 4.3 (1,744) Southend-on-Sea's seafront and Adventure Island are a short trip from this 129-room Holiday Inn, a modern base near Eastwoodbury Crescent.](https://staycation.co.uk/southend-on-sea/hotels/holiday-inn-southend) [Clacton-on-Sea Haven The Orchards Holiday Park Essex ★ 4.0 (2,749) Self-catering holiday park near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, with indoor and outdoor pools, beach access and fishing lakes on site.](https://staycation.co.uk/clacton-on-sea/hotels/haven-the-orchards-holiday-park-essex) [Ongar Mulberry House ★ 4.6 (959) Hotel on Chelmsford Road in High Ongar, Essex, handy for Tilbury Fort and Epping Forest with free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/high-ongar/hotels/mulberry-house) [Harwich The Bottle Kiln Wetherspoon ★ 4.2 (1,823) A Wetherspoon pub-hotel in Harwich's Dovercourt with a full bar and restaurant menu, plus quiet, spacious rooms and king-size beds.](https://staycation.co.uk/harwich/hotels/the-bottle-kiln-wetherspoon) [Clacton-on-Sea Smugglers Cove by Marstons Inns ★ 4.2 (1,750) A straightforward 38-room hotel near the beach in Clacton-on-Sea, well suited to family breaks and short seaside stays.](https://staycation.co.uk/clacton-on-sea/hotels/smugglers-cove-by-marstons-inns) [Colchester GreyFriars ★ 4.5 (1,051) A High Street hotel in central Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, mixing historic character with modern comforts and free parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/greyfriars) [Waltham Abbey Delta Hotels Waltham Abbey by Marriott ★ 4.1 (1,981) A 162-room hotel near Waltham Abbey with restaurant, bar and breakfast on site, handy for Epping Forest and the Lee Valley.](https://staycation.co.uk/waltham-abbey/hotels/delta-hotels-waltham-abbey-by-marriott) [Colchester The Courthouse Inn ★ 4.6 (808) A former courthouse turned hotel on Harwich Road, Colchester, with free on-site parking and a bar and restaurant on site.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/the-courthouse-inn) [Colchester Milsoms ★ 4.3 (1,289) A relaxed riverside hotel on Stratford Road in Dedham, Essex, set in the gentle countryside of Constable Country.](https://staycation.co.uk/dedham/hotels/milsoms) [Colchester Donkey & Buskins ★ 4.5 (882) An adults-only B&B on Layer Rd, Colchester, suited to couples wanting a straightforward stay with parking, a bar and breakfast included.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/donkey-buskins) [Manningtree Mistley Thorn Hotel ★ 4.6 (748) A 15-room hotel on Mistley's High Street in Essex, close to the River Stour, with en-suite rooms and a restaurant on site.](https://staycation.co.uk/mistley/hotels/mistley-thorn-hotel) [Colchester Premier Inn Colchester A12 ★ 4.3 (1,168) A no-fuss Premier Inn just off the A12 outside Colchester, handy for drivers heading to the town centre or the Essex coast, with free parking and Wi-Fi.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/premier-inn-colchester-a12) [Southend-on-Sea Premier Inn Southend On Sea Eastern Esplanade ★ 4.2 (1,280) Seafront Premier Inn on Southend's Eastern Esplanade, with an on-site restaurant, bar and sea-view rooms near Adventure Island.](https://staycation.co.uk/southend-on-sea/hotels/premier-inn-southend-on-sea-eastern-esplanade) [Colchester Black Buoy Inn ★ 4.5 (791) A characterful inn on Black Buoy Hill in Colchester, with its own bar and restaurant and a garden for outdoor seating.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/black-buoy-inn) [Canvey Island Oyster Fleet Hotel ★ 4.2 (1,268) Oyster Fleet Hotel on Canvey Island offers 40 rooms plus an indoor pool, spa and sauna, all with free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/canvey-island/hotels/oyster-fleet-hotel) [Ingatestone The White Hart Bed And Breakfast ★ 4.4 (904) A two-room B&B on Swan Lane in Ingatestone, Essex, with its own bar and restaurant close to Ingatestone Hall.](https://staycation.co.uk/ingatestone/hotels/the-white-hart-bed-and-breakfast) [Colchester Premier Inn Colchester Cowdray Avenue A133 ★ 4.3 (1,056) A compact 20-room Premier Inn on Cowdray Avenue in Colchester, with free parking front, side and rear and Colchester Castle nearby.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/premier-inn-colchester-cowdray-avenue-a133) [Colchester Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre Castle ★ 4.3 (1,056) Set in Colchester's town centre, this 85-room Premier Inn puts Colchester Castle, Castle Park and the High Street shops within easy walking distance.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/premier-inn-colchester-town-centre-castle) [Brentwood De Rougemont Manor Hotel & Suites ★ 4.3 (1,025) A country-house-style hotel on Great Warley Street, Brentwood, with 81 rooms, a spa and gardens close to the town's shops and countryside.](https://staycation.co.uk/brentwood/hotels/de-rougemont-manor-hotel-suites) [Brentwood Marygreen Manor Hotel ★ 4.3 (1,025) A Tudor-style manor hotel on London Road in Brentwood, Essex, with 44 rooms and a dedicated bridal suite for weddings.](https://staycation.co.uk/brentwood/hotels/marygreen-manor-hotel) [Colchester The Blue Anchor ★ 4.5 (748) Small five-room hotel in Colchester, close to Kelvedon and Haverhill Golf Club, with free on-site parking and a garden bar.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/the-blue-anchor) [Chelmsford Pontlands Park Hotel ★ 4.5 (743) A country house hotel near Chelmsford with landscaped grounds, a spa, an outdoor pool and hot tub, close to Chelmsford Cathedral and Hylands Park.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/pontlands-park-hotel) [Basildon Holiday Inn Basildon ★ 4.0 (1,693) A 149-room hotel in Basildon, Essex, with restaurant, bar and garden, handy for local transport links and nearby attractions.](https://staycation.co.uk/basildon/hotels/holiday-inn-basildon) [Billericay B&B Downham Hall ★ 4.7 (543) B&B Downham Hall is a family-run stop on Castledon Road, Wickford, with garden views and free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/wickford/hotels/b-b-downham-hall) [Clacton-on-Sea The Kingscliff Hotel ★ 4.1 (1,327) A 30-room hotel on Kings Parade in Clacton-on-Sea, with en-suite and family rooms just a short stroll from the seafront.](https://staycation.co.uk/clacton-on-sea/hotels/the-kingscliff-hotel) [Burnham-on-Crouch The Oyster Smack ★ 4.5 (646) Riverside inn in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, with a bar and restaurant close to the water and surrounding coastal countryside.](https://staycation.co.uk/burnham-on-crouch/hotels/the-oyster-smack) [Clacton-on-Sea Premier Inn Clacton-On-Sea Seafront ★ 4.2 (1,009) A 66-room Premier Inn on Marine Parade West, Clacton-on-Sea, with sea-view rooms right by the pier and seafront attractions.](https://staycation.co.uk/clacton-on-sea/hotels/premier-inn-clacton-on-sea-seafront) [Purfleet Premier Inn Thurrock West ★ 4.0 (1,425) Premier Inn Thurrock West offers 193 en-suite rooms with air conditioning near Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex.](https://staycation.co.uk/thurrock/hotels/premier-inn-thurrock-west) [Southend-on-Sea Premier Inn Southend Airport ★ 4.2 (995) Premier Inn Southend Airport offers 106 en-suite rooms with air conditioning, two miles from London Southend Airport, with free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/southend-on-sea/hotels/premier-inn-southend-airport) [Wickford The Lodge Country Inn ★ 4.2 (987) Countryside hotel near Battlesbridge, Essex, with pubs, restaurants and entertainment nearby and free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/battlesbridge/hotels/the-lodge-country-inn) [Chelmsford The Riverside Inn ★ 4.3 (834) A small, characterful four-room inn on Victoria Road in Chelmsford, prized for its quirky decor and riverside beer garden.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/the-riverside-inn) [Colchester The George of Colchester ★ 4.1 (1,151) A 47-room hotel on Colchester's High Street, close to the castle and Roman Theatre, with free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/the-george-of-colchester) [Colchester The Victory At Mersea ★ 4.0 (1,368) Waterside hotel on Coast Road in Colchester with its own restaurant and bar, plus free on-site parking and free WiFi.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/the-victory-at-mersea) [Dunmow The Stables at The Starr Inn ★ 4.2 (965) Eight rooms at The Stables at The Starr Inn combine historic character with modern extras like air conditioning, in the heart of Dunmow, Essex.](https://staycation.co.uk/dunmow/hotels/the-stables-at-the-starr-inn) [Harlow Holiday Inn Express Harlow ★ 4.1 (1,081) Holiday Inn Express Harlow is a 123-room hotel off Crown Gate, handy for the M11 with air-conditioned rooms and meeting space.](https://staycation.co.uk/harlow/hotels/holiday-inn-express-harlow) [Grays Stifford Hall Hotel Thurrock ★ 4.1 (1,081) A restaurant-and-bar hotel on Thurrock's High Road, with breakfast, room service and a garden for guests wanting Essex convenience near London.](https://staycation.co.uk/thurrock/hotels/stifford-hall-hotel-thurrock) [Colchester Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel ★ 4.2 (900) A timber-framed hotel on East Street in Colchester, close to Castle Park and Colchester Zoo, with free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/best-western-the-rose-crown-hotel) [Dunmow Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow ★ 4.1 (1,056) Budget hotel just off the A120 near Great Dunmow, handy for Stansted Airport, Braintree and Bishop's Stortford with easy road links throughout.](https://staycation.co.uk/great-dunmow/hotels/travelodge-stansted-great-dunmow) [Colchester Holiday Inn Colchester ★ 4.0 (1,255) A modern 110-room hotel on Abbotts Lane in Colchester, with a pool, gym and spa alongside easy access to the town centre.](https://staycation.co.uk/colchester/hotels/holiday-inn-colchester) [Saffron Walden The Cricketers Arms ★ 4.4 (654) A traditional inn overlooking Rickling Green in Stansted Mountfitchet, with a bar, restaurant and free on-site parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/stansted-mountfitchet/hotels/the-cricketers-arms) [Harwich Premier Inn Harwich ★ 4.1 (1,048) A modern three-storey Premier Inn on Parkestone Road, Harwich, with 45 en-suite rooms and free parking close to the ferry terminal.](https://staycation.co.uk/harwich/hotels/premier-inn-harwich) [Saffron Walden The Cross Keys ★ 4.0 (1,231) A historic coaching inn on Saffron Walden's High Street, with just 10 rooms, a bar and restaurant close to the town's own pubs and eateries.](https://staycation.co.uk/saffron-walden/hotels/the-cross-keys) [Bishop's Stortford The Cock Inn Hotel ★ 4.6 (478) A traditional inn-style hotel on The Street in Sheering, Essex, offering en-suite rooms and free parking near Harlow and Bishop's Stortford.](https://staycation.co.uk/sheering/hotels/the-cock-inn-hotel) [Chelmsford Premier Inn Chelmsford Boreham ★ 4.2 (836) Premier Inn Chelmsford Boreham offers 80 en-suite rooms with air conditioning near the A12, plus free parking and free WiFi.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/premier-inn-chelmsford-boreham) [Barking ibis budget London Barking ★ 3.7 (2,072) Budget hotel on Highbridge Road in Barking, with pubs, restaurants and entertainment nearby and easy transport links into London.](https://staycation.co.uk/barking/hotels/ibis-budget-london-barking) [Barking ibis London Barking ★ 3.7 (2,072) A budget-friendly base in Barking for travellers who want simple, no-fuss rooms with easy transport links across London.](https://staycation.co.uk/barking/hotels/ibis-london-barking) [Waltham Abbey Premier Inn Waltham Abbey ★ 4.2 (826) A straightforward budget hotel off the M25 near Waltham Abbey Church, suited to road-trippers and Lee Valley Park visitors wanting free parking.](https://staycation.co.uk/waltham-abbey/hotels/premier-inn-waltham-abbey) [Chelmsford Premier Inn Chelmsford City Centre ★ 4.1 (967) Premier Inn Chelmsford City Centre offers a hearty breakfast and on-site restaurant, steps from the cathedral and High Chelmer shops.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/premier-inn-chelmsford-city-centre) [Chelmsford The County Hotel ★ 4.1 (963) A 50-room hotel on Rainsford Road in Chelmsford, with free on-site parking and generously sized rooms close to the town centre.](https://staycation.co.uk/chelmsford/hotels/the-county-hotel)

Showing the 60 best-reviewed of 141. [See every listing](https://staycation.co.uk/essex/hotels).

## Quick answers

How many family-friendly hotels are there in Essex?+

We list 141 in Essex. The best-reviewed are shown first.

Which family-friendly hotels in Essex are best reviewed?+

By Google rating weighted by the number of reviews: Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport (4.3/5, 5,385 reviews), The Lion Inn (4.6/5, 2,929 reviews) and Roslin Beach Hotel (4.6/5, 2,720 reviews).

Is this list up to date?+

It is built live from our listings; ratings come from Google and each venue page shows when its details were last checked. Always confirm with the venue before travelling.