Brook Red Lion Hotel

Needs proper upkeep and refresh.

Location

Rooms were dirty and noisy, 3 flights of stairs to get to room.Had to change rooms on Xmas day because of noisy generator outside window.Stayed with my daughter who's face became swollon due to dust in room and pillow case.Only stayed 2 nights instead of 3 left at 2am and got a cab home costing £300.Promised beforehand to provide vegan dinner and sent me the menu. Then told me day before that due to cancellations they were not doing Xmas dinner.Was to late to book a meal at resterants they were all booked.Ended up having a takeaway for Xmas dinner.Since learnt from other reviews that the hotel hasn't cooked evening meals for over a year.Was a nice hotel but hadn't seen much care.Only one member of staff at any time that had to Also serve breakfast which was bland.Hardly slept at all.On boxing day cleaner banged on our door several time asking if we needed anything from house keeping.Which made it impossible to relax after very little sleep.We left that night, couldn't bear to stay a minute longer.It should state on your site that this hotel is not suitable for older people, had to carry our case up 3 flights of stairs.Never again.Horrid stay 0-10

The staff were great and kind.

The room is too cold, heaters not working properly. The worst thing is the shower, NO WARM WATER!! , I was freezing here ? what a shock

The location is the best part of this property — right in the heart of the city, close to all the main attractions, cafés, and shops.The hotel itself is from the 14th century, so it has a beautiful vintage charm. The furniture is old, matching the traditional look and feel.The staff is absolutely wonderful — always smiling, polite, and ready to help with anything you need.

A small downside — there’s no elevator, and because it’s a heritage building, there’s no scope to add one. So, avoid bringing heavy luggage if possible.

I always get the haunted part of the hotel and love the old feel with the creaky floors. The bed is always comfortable and very clean lovely linen. Right in the middle of high street. Such fun!

Excellent central location. Quirky, historic building.

Bedroom small and "full" double bed turned out to be a 4ft wide thing! Very uncomfortable and too small for two. Breakfast very poor.

The location

Everything I booked for city view and when i reached they gave me a room with a back view on some roofs, till i showed them the booking then they transferred me to a city view room but without towels, telephone, bad light, weak water flow, and very small.No one to help you with your luggage, although no elevator. WIFI isn’t available in most of the rooms, they accepted a late checkout only with a fee.

Complete & utter shambles. Require a full refund

The walls are paper thin, residents in the room next door screaming & shouting for over 1 hour, approx 2.30am to 3.30am, finding the reception cover asleep in the bar not doing anything to stop this. Being told parking to be 3 minutes away to have to walk for over 15 minutes back to the Hotel.

Old smelly property

Location and staff

Lots of history in this building.600 years old. ?Comfortable bed.

Breakfast not the best. But edible Cleaner needs to pay more attention.Shower curtain needs changing as mould is growing rapidly.

It’s a genuine for building which was brilliant

Single glazing straight onto high street meant it was noisy until 1am and from 5am ish.There was used chewing gum in tea trayShower was stuck on hotToilet dripped constantly and then stopped workingTowel rail in bathroom disconnectedNo where in room to set up laptop and workWindows didn’t openRoom looked tired and tattyNeeds a complete refurb

Great location and quirky old building with lots of character

The mattress was very old (sunken?) and the floors incredibly wonky so partner rolled out of bed in the night because of it :o

Location means you are right in Colchester town

The walls are so thin and people were so loud each side of the room and outside because of all the drunks.

Value for money breakfast

The put you up bed was very uncomfortable. Our daughter struggled to sleep on itThe towels were very worn - one even had a tear and hole!There was a dirty mark on one pillow All felt a bit grubby

This is the 2nd time we've stayed here and both times we've loved it. Staff are very pleasant, room was lovely, spacious and warm, my 1 year old loved being able to crawl around the room with space to play. We will definitely be returning.

The room was lovely, people on reception friendly.location is great if you are out and about in Colchester.

Breakfast quality for me was poor. And people smoking at the bottom of the stairs made it stink. Not hotels fault but should mention the noise when pubs, clubs close, is loud very loud, just bare in mind when booking.

It was right in the town centre. Easily accessible and affordable for just a day. The staff is very courteous and helpful.

Could do with some carpets changed, a little refurbishment and also the window to open properly.

The location is excellent and the building is very interesting. The room was comfortable and of an adequate size for the three of us.

Breakfast was disappointing. In my full English, I had an uncooked tomato and the baked beans were cold. They just had not been heated through. The coffee was cheap instant and the sausage was definitely out of a 'value' pack. I know times are hard but a few extra pence would have enhanced the experience.

The staff were really nice, bed was really big and comfortable and it's right in the town.

It was hard to get some channels on the TV.

no shampoo and shower gel in the bathroom, very uncomfortable bed feeling the springs of the mattress, poor cleaning in the room