The Pier at Harwich
Harwich, Essex
Good Hotel Guide Review
With its belvedere and striking iron-lace balcony, this hotel is a distinctive presence on the quay of a port town on the Stour and Orwell estuaries. Owned by the Milsom family (see also Maison Talbooth, Dedham), it has a buzzy, youthful vibe. You can watch the maritime traffic come and go from the Navyärd bar and terrace over a beer and a Danish-style open sandwich, or from the upstairs restaurant, with exposed brick wall, leather banquettes and a general air of industrial chic. John Goff and co-chef Stephen Robson, who is also now general manager, cook an all-day menu of dishes which feature plenty of seafood. There’s fish and chips, fish pie luxe and grilled brill with Harwich crab and herb butter as well as steaks and burgers. Bedrooms, in neutral shades with splashes of colour in the fabrics, are supplied with soft drinks and milk in a mini-fridge and posh toiletries. The Mayflower Suite, in the former Angel pub next door, has comfy seating, a telescope and panoramic views through the five-sash bay window. ‘It’s a particular pleasure at dusk, when the lights come on, watching the container ships and their cargo cranes.’
Hotel details
Address
The Quay
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3HH
England
Telephone
01255 241212
Bedrooms
14. 7 in annexe, 1 on ground floor suitable for disabled.
Open
all year.
Facilities
bar, lounge (in annexe), restaurant, private dining room, small lift, in-room TV (Sky, BT, Freeview), civil wedding licence, balcony, small front terrace, parking, EV charging, restaurant, bar wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Background music
in the bar.
Children
all ages welcomed, extra bed £20.
Dogs
allowed in bedrooms (no charge), bar, lounge.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £135. À la carte £40.
Other reviews
Good Hotel Guide articles about
The Pier at Harwich
- East Anglian Daily Times: 10 of the top hotels to visit in Suffolk and North Essex in 2019
- The Lady: 10 family friendly hotels for summer holidays
- Huffington Post USA: Ten hotels to visit on Halloween
- Huffington Post USA: Historic hotels in England you have to visit
Information from the 2022 Good Hotel Guide.