Channels Hotel

We stayed at Channels Hotel in Chelmsford, Essex, booked through American Express for around £160. What looked like a straightforward overnight stay turned into something much warmer and more memorable.

A stay with its own character

Channels did not feel like a hotel trying to impress with size or flashy extras. Its appeal came from the smaller details: a suite that felt individual, an umbrella waiting by the room, peaceful gardens and breakfast served in a cosy little tea room.

That relaxed character continued into the evening. The restaurant handled our family gathering of 19 people without making the occasion feel rushed, and the whole stay felt personal rather than processed.

The room

We stayed in the Pine Suite, which was spacious, comfortable and felt much more personal than a standard chain hotel room. Room size scored 8/10 and the bed and comfort also scored 8/10.

One little detail I really liked was that each room had its own umbrella. It is a simple touch, but exactly the kind of thing that makes a hotel feel thoughtful.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included and was served in a small, cosy tea room in the grounds. It felt much more relaxed and personal than a big generic hotel breakfast room and suited the character of the hotel perfectly.

The grounds

The gardens and grounds were super nice and really added to the stay. It was a pleasant place to walk around and made the hotel feel relaxed and welcoming.

Dinner with the family

We also ate in the restaurant with a party of 19, bringing together family from England and Norway. The food was very good and the prices were reasonable, which is especially important when organising a meal for a large group.

Food: 8/10 · Service: 7/10 · Atmosphere: 9/10

Read the separate Channels restaurant review →

Value

For around £160 booked through Amex, we had a large comfortable room, breakfast included, beautiful grounds and access to a good restaurant. For what we received, the hotel represented excellent value.

Value: 9/10