University of Essex Colchester Campus, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
#15 of 17 hotels in Colchester
Guests' ChoiceBased on 326 hostel reviews
7.1Cleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.4
Location
8.0
Facilities
7.2
Staff
8.6
Value for money
8.0
Free WiFi
8.2
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End of dialog contentReviewed: 26 September 2024
Sharon
United KingdomThe email I received on booking said to go to the Information desk to collect keys. However in Square 3, it is not obvious where the Information point is. Once you ask around you find out the the Security office on the corner is actually also the Information point (however the 'Information' sign is only visible when you are in the office or stood directly outside staring in.). Bed was also softer than I would like. Plug sockets and light switches are far from the bed and there is no bedside table, so if you want to have your phone charging nearby or read a book in bed then not ideal.
Location great if you're visiting University of Essex Colchester Campus. There are nearby buses to town and the train and bus stations (about 30 mins away by public bus). University Campus is very difficult to navigate though. Room and building were very clean. Shower and bathroom all basic but worked well. Room and location very quiet. Single bed and room was big enough for one person for a few nights stay. Towels, spare loo rolls, soap all provided. No lift, or not one that I could see, so if you can't manage stairs then this would be a problem (room was on 3rd floor).
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 19 September 2024
David
JapanNice basic room!
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 11 September 2024
Soyhan
JapanMy room was on the third floor so I had to climb up and down with my suitcase. The bathroom got wet each time I took a shower.
It was a pleasant stay with the bare minimum. The price was quite reasonable so I didn't expect more than that.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 10 September 2024
Abul
BangladeshGreenery around
Location
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 3 September 2024
Harriet
United KingdomThe breakfast was not much, I avoided it after the first day, as I think it upset my insides and bought other food to be honest. The bathrooms were not particularly clean, For example, other peoples hair in the en-suite. Cobwebs in the room. Just could have been a bit cleaner in general. Mattress was poor quality and uncomfortable. ( though the room was cheap )
The location was very convenient for the event which was on site at the campus. The little kitchenette was useful.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 1 September 2024
Amanda
United KingdomYou have to be prepared to walk around the campus and navigate quite a few steps, which isn't easy with a suitcase. It would have been good to have more information about bus numbers and the best bus stop to alight at to avoid a longer walk, steps etc to go collect the key fob.
Such a great way to stay somewhere when travelling alone - a real bargain. I was attending a symposium at the university so it was perfectly placed, but I'd definitely consider booking again for a general visit. You often spend so little time in a hotel room that you don't need all the whistles and bells; all you really need is a bed and a shower, and somewhere to make a hot drink. The bed at UoE was perfectly comfortable, the shower hot and the shared kitchen had tea/coffee/milk/sugar supplied. Everything was very clean. I loved that the university accommodation was so well connected to public transport - so pleasantly surprised that I could catch buses into Wivenhoe and Colchester day and night midweek. The campus has a selection of cafes, a food market on Thursdays and a handy shop, making things really convenient. i really can't fault the excellent value for money!
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 31 August 2024
Sylvia
United KingdomCouldn't open windows
The campus is huge
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 27 August 2024
Martin
United KingdomSmall amount of mould in the shower room, otherwise fine.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 24 August 2024
Neil
SpainNot enough pillows as they were very shallow Also checking out would it be possible to leave key fob in the room rather than a long walk to security office
Location and bus service
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 15 August 2024
443361875
United KingdomThe rooms have big clear numbers on them but the toilets and the shower have no identification apart from a small label in the top left corner. Luckily I was wearing my glasses. Being August most facilites closed at 4pm which is unsuitable for this purpose. It was a funny little maze.
Essex University is in a pretty location, lovely green, a lake, typical odd 1960's concrete in the middle. The room is definately suitable for a midget young student who's just left home, small but functional. I was surprised by how many were squeezed into each floor.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 14 August 2024
Richard
United KingdomNit-picking because very good value for money so almost feel bad mentioning, but the single 3” thick pillow was NOT fit for purpose even when doubled-over. Has neck ache immediately. Resorted to rolling up my duvet as a pillow and sleeping uncovered. Mattress uncomfortably thin. I don’t understand all the comments online from the uni regarding all rooms having en-suites…I read this several times. My room shared four toilets and two showers between 15 rooms (although not many residents in August…) Not enough detail given to finding the flat/room, once building found. Cursory details given and of course once visited once, you understand, but I explored the permutations of the room details typed on my fob envelope before calling the help number. Sorted quickly after that. Finally, this is not a disabled-friendly place. Too many small steep hills and many, many steps. Unclear signage and I was surprised at the lack of lifts in between the various main concourses/squares and there was a long walk back in the morning to hand your fob in.
Location, clean, functional, plenty of food options, shared kitchen facilities including microwave and fridges/freezers. Security was very good.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 13 August 2024
Bridget
United KingdomOnly the bed. Found it very hard but managed.
The atmosphere. The amenities. The staff. Plenty of places to eat and drink.
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 12 August 2024
Jake
United KingdomI work as an academic at another university and expected this accommodation to be similar to what my university offers: it did not meet this expectation. The rooms are in a very old and outdated student accommodation block, which in itself is not a problem, but the building smelt very strongly of smoke, presumably from the days when smoking was permitted in those rooms. This made the stay quite unpleasant. The breakfast in the morning was a shambles. The staff at the cafeteria openly told me they open 1 hour later than advertised as they don't want to wake up early. This made me rush breakfast, which was a shame as this was a nice feature to have as part of the deal. I would probably stay here again but wouldn't bother with the breakfast.
The room was spotlessly clean and had all advertised amenities. Parking was free and easy to navigate. Check-in was easy and the security staff were very friendly and helpful. The area is quiet and even though there were still lots of students around on-campus, it was not noisy at all. The room felt very secure as you had to get through 3 locked doors to access it.
Stayed in June 2024
Reviewed: 9 August 2024
Sarah
United KingdomBit difficult to get a taxi into the city centre as didn't know where pick up points were. Had a job finding block we were staying in too!
Clean, cheap, comfy.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 8 August 2024
Paul
United KingdomSadly my fob wasn't working, bedroom door could not be locked. The admin office quickly sorted it.
It was a nice environment, peaceful (because most students had left due to the summer holiday).
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 6 August 2024
Kirwan
United KingdomBit noisy, lots of singing and banging doors
Great shower and comfy bed
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 4 August 2024
Rebecca
United KingdomNeeds a bit more in terms of customer information- not clear where to go to breakfast or what the blue card was for (turns out it was the breakfast card) just a bit more explanation on check in and this place will thrive as good value accommodation
Good value, good location. Free car parking. Run by students which was nice to see
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 4 August 2024
Toruemi
United KingdomThe fact that a kitchen is provided without utensil to cook with, no plates and cutlery
I like the service and prompt response to complaints
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 23 July 2024
Grigoria
CyprusBathroom was really old and rusty. No hand soap. It was really loud outside but after a call to the security the issue was fixed. Also, loud door bangings in a small flat and noisy in general.
Nice and comfortable bed. Good if you are attending a graduation or an event at the university.
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 22 July 2024
Nelson
NetherlandsRusty , dirty outlets
Location
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 19 July 2024
Palichuk
CanadaOne of our party's bed collapsed in the middle while she was sleeping. Easy to report and resolved. Was told in email that breakfast was included but nobody could tell us where-how-when.
Staff. Location. Exceptionally clean and great value.
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 18 July 2024
Renny
United KingdomThe heater is not working
Close to graduation building and affordable
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 16 July 2024
Julius
United Kingdom'Canteen' in the quad was very reasonably priced, but chaotically organised, with friendly but inexperienced staff. The online timetable for the 87 bus posted online, did not match the timetable in the bus stop. The 11:52am (and other XX:52) bus shown on the online timetable is shown on the timetable in the bus shelter as 11:40am. I arrived at the stop at 11:42am to find I had just missed it and had to wait until 12:40pm to catch the next one. Although there were 'facilities' in the kitchen, there was no provision of tea/coffee, UHT milk, sugar so it wasn't possible to make these. Most hotels provide these. These may not be necessary for the hundreds of visiting school children, but for conference delegates and other clients this would be appreciated and could be left in the rooms concerned. One toilet seat hinge was broken and the hand-basin only drained away very slowly and was clearly badly blocked.
The location was very convenient for me, situated mid-way between Colchester and Wivenhoe, where I have family. The campus is a lovely setting.
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 13 July 2024
Filippaios
United KingdomThe campus is very busy this time of the year with school trips. This means things can get noisy. Shops on campus are not always open due to the holiday period. There use to be a small bag with toiletries in the room. This was not available this time. Matresses are in desperate need of replacement.
Conveniently located on Campus
Stayed in July 2024
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