Talbooth House & Spa

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.