Talbooth House & Spa

Dedham, Essex

The Milsom family’s Victorian country house hotel in Dedham Vale, in the heart of Constable country, has been subtly rebranded with the addition of a spa by the pool house. More

Good Hotel Guide Review

The Milsom family’s Victorian country house hotel in Dedham Vale, formerly Maison Talbooth, has been subtly rebranded with the addition of a spa by the pool house. Bedrooms, named after poets, have ‘flamboyant Essex “chic” that tries perhaps a bit too hard’, say our inspectors, or a slightly bland ‘muted grey palette, although offset by splashes of colour and artwork’. This, though, is a matter of taste, and all are ‘spacious, with large en suite bathrooms’, fine toiletries, use of the tennis court, swimming pool and hot tub. You can stroll to sister hotel Milsoms for affordable brasserie-style food, walk or be driven to the venerable Talbooth restaurant in a ‘striking Tudor building by the Stour’. It is here that ‘the hotel really comes into its own’, and though pricy, ‘what it takes from your wallet it gives to your palate’. Among dishes enjoyed were ‘heavenly, flaky, moist stone bass paired beautifully with white onion sauce; pear Pavlova, aniseed ice cream and white liquorice meringue’. Vegans and veggies have their own menus. Another sister venture, The Pier at Harwich, Harwich (see entry), offers 
a different experience again.

Hotel details

Address

Stratford Road
DEDHAM
Essex
CO7 6HN
England

Telephone

01206 322367

Bedrooms

12. 5 on ground floor with walk-in shower.

Open

all year, restaurant closed Sun pm.

Facilities

lounge, Garden Room, courtesy car to restaurant 1 minute away, 5-acre grounds (tennis), outdoor heated pool, in-room TV (Sky, Freeview), spa, civil wedding licence, some public areas wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.

Background music

none.

Children

all ages welcomed, extra bed £20.

Dogs

allowed in bedrooms (£15 a night), lounge, on terrace and in area of brasserie, not restaurant.

Credit cards

Amex, MC, Visa.

Prices

B&B doubles from £300. À la carte £80 (Talbooth), £37 (Milsoms). 1-night bookings refused at weekends.