Dragonfly Hotel Colchester Exterior photoDragonfly Hotel Colchester Interior photoDragonfly Hotel Colchester Restaurant photo
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From67US$ /night
Check-in
07May2026Select date
Check-out
08May2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO7 7QY
-
Near Colchester Castle
Very good
7.8
7.6
/10
3.6
3.1
/5

Location

Dragonfly Hotel Colchester is conveniently located at the intersection of the A12 and A120, providing easy access to the historic town center and the scenic Essex countryside. Guests can explore local attractions, including the renowned Colchester Castle, just minutes away. This strategic location allows for both business and leisure travelers to enjoy the area effortlessly.

Rooms

The hotel offers a selection of spacious single, twin, and double rooms equipped with Hypnos beds for restful slumber. Each room includes a 43' flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, and tea and coffee-making options. The focus on comfort ensures that each guest feels at home while staying in Colchester.

Dining

On-site dining at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester features a variety of English and international dishes prepared by skilled chefs. The hotel's restaurant is open from 5 PM to 8:30 PM and offers a relaxed atmosphere for dining. Room service is also available, allowing guests to enjoy meals in the comfort of their rooms.

Business Facilities

Dragonfly Hotel Colchester is equipped with purpose-built meeting rooms designed for professional gatherings, including business meetings and social events. The hotel provides advanced IT and screen facilities compatible with various devices, ensuring smooth presentations. Guests attending events benefit from well-equipped rooms and on-site dining options.

Family-Friendly Accommodations

The hotel welcomes families, offering comfortable rooms that cater to parents and children alike. Business guests with families will find convenience in the close proximity to local attractions, suitable for family outings. Dragonfly Hotel Colchester combines comfort and accessibility, making it a fitting choice for family visitors.

Highlights

Location: Conveniently located outside Colchester

Rooms: Hypnos beds for restful slumber

Dining: On-site restaurant with English & international dishes

Business: Fully-equipped meeting rooms for professional events

“This family-run hotel, conveniently located near major transport routes, presents a personalized experience with scenic lake views; the inclusion of Hypnos beds and complimentary high-speed WiFi in every room are considerable advantages. The on-site restaurant, alongside the welcoming bar and lounge, promotes both relaxation and socializing, enhanced by diverse dining options using locally sourced ingredients. I think it's a practical choice for both business and leisure.”
Hotel logo
Olivia SmithEditor-in-Chief at Cheaphotels
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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals
Double Room
2 persons
185 sq. feet 
1 Double bed
Shower
Heating
Twin Room
2 persons
230 sq. feet 
2 Single beds
Shower
Heating
Executive Double Room
2 persons
260 sq. feet 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Coffee machine

Room rates & availability calendar

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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking
Facilities: Very good
7.9/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Coffee shop
  • Smoke detectors
  • Electric vehicle charging station
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Sun terrace
  • Garden area
  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Heating
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • Direct dial telephone

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
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Dining Onsite

Experience a delightful blend of American, British, and international cuisines at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester's onsite restaurant. With family-friendly vibes and an inviting modern decor, dining here promises something for every palate, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to cater to diverse tastes.
Dragonfly Hotel Colchester Restaurant photo
Dragonfly Hotel Colchester Restaurant photo
Dragonfly Hotel Colchester Restaurant photo

Restaurant #1

American, British, International
Ambiance
Modern, family-friendly environment perfect for gatherings and intimate dinners alike.
Key Offerings
Delicious breakfast selections, light lunches, and hearty dinner options that cater to various dietary preferences.
Reservation
Not needed
Open daily from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM for lunch and dinner.

Dragonfly Hotel Colchester Location

A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO7 7QY
Map view
A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO7 7QY
Nearby
Market
Ardleigh Car Boot Sale Site
3100 ft
Restaurants
Barley + Graze Restaurant
100 ft
A12 / A120 Ardleigh Junction Dragonfly Hotel
The Crown
1100 ft
Old Ipswich Road
Table Table Balkerne Gate
2400 ft
Ipswich Road
Mimosa Restaurant + Deli
4700 ft
The Crescent
Explore Colchester
Explore Colchester
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Gnome Magic Garden
Gnome Magic Garden
25 minutes' walk
A whimsical garden featuring enchanting gnome sculptures, ideal for family visits and free fun.
Weston Homes Community Stadium
Weston Homes Community Stadium
10 minutes' drive
Home of Colchester United FC, offering football matches and events like live music and community gatherings.
Colchester Castle Park
Colchester Castle Park
45 minutes' walk
A historic park surrounding an iconic castle with beautiful gardens, ideal for leisurely walks and picnics.
Boxted Airfield Museum
Boxted Airfield Museum
20 minutes' walk
A unique museum dedicated to WWII aviation history, featuring exhibits and artifacts relevant to the airfield.
Highwoods Country Park
Highwoods Country Park
30 minutes' walk
A vast park offering scenic walking and cycling paths, great for outdoor enthusiasts and families.
Local Market Days
10 minutes' drive
Seasonal local markets for fresh produce and handmade goods, perfect for those seeking cultural experiences.
Yoga Classes at The Ark
15 minutes' walk
Relaxing yoga sessions in a communal space, suitable for all levels. Pre-booking is advised.
Barley + Graze Restaurant
Barley + Graze Restaurant
1 minute' walk
Stylish eatery focusing on fresh, local ingredients with a seasonal menu. Reservations recommended.
Mimosa Restaurant + Deli
Mimosa Restaurant + Deli
17 minutes' walk
Charming deli serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes with vegetarian options available. Casual dining atmosphere.
The Crown
The Crown
4 minutes' walk
Traditional pub offering hearty British fare, ideal for casual family meals. Gluten-free options available.
Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester Arts Centre
50 minutes' walk
A vibrant venue for live performances and art exhibitions, hosting a variety of events suitable for all ages.
Local Pubs and Live Music
10 minutes' drive
Cozy pubs with regular live music nights and open mic events, perfect for couples and solo adventurers.
Getting around town
City Centre
Colchester7 min  ·  2.8 mi
Airports
London Stansted (STN)86 min  ·  35.6 mi
London Southend (SEN)105 min  ·  43.2 mi
Train
Colchester Railway Station6 min  ·  2.5 mi
Hythe (Essex) Railway Station7 min  ·  2.6 mi
Bus
Bus stop3 min  ·  700 ft
Looking for early-bird discounts?
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Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 16:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Guest Parking
Public parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in for free.
Breakfast
At the hotel Dragonfly Colchester guests are invited to a full breakfast served for free. 
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
44
Former name
Quality Hotel / Ramada

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
Guests often highlight the Dragonfly Hotel Colchester as providing very good value, especially given the free parking and inclusion of breakfast. The rooms are frequently described as spacious, clean, and comfortable, many featuring a bath in addition to a shower, and some offering large TV screens. The hotel's location is ideal for visiting Colchester Zoo and other local attractions, although a few guests have mentioned minor issues such as dusty areas in some rooms. The breakfast buffet is generally well-received, offering a standard English selection with fresh options to suit various tastes.
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Review score
Based on 736 verified reviews
7.4/10
Very good
74%
Recommend
Staff
8.7/10
Comfort
8.3/10
Paid Wi-Fi
6.0/10
Breakfast
6.5/10
Pros
Helpful staff
Comfortable beds
Good water pressure
Warm duvets
Good overnight stay
Cons
Smelly corridors
Missing items
Poor breakfast
Limited choice
Guest reviews
based on 736 reviews
7.4/10
based on 370 reviews
3/5
based on 1612 reviews
7.8/10
Mason from United States
Family with children
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 03, 2026
9.0/10

Happy Hotel Stay

lovely coffeecomfortable beddusty spiders webs
The breakfast had lovely coffee, which got my day off to a great start. My room felt spacious and it was presented well, it made for a relaxing environment. I found the bed very comfortable and had a good night's sleep. I think the inclusion of breakfast was a great bonus.
I noticed some dusty spiders webs in the room with residents. The room really needed a good clean.
Service
10/10
Staff are amazing, and I saw they always go above and beyond. The receptionist was excellent, she was helpful and very chatty. She talked about places to go, and I got helpful recommendations.
Rooms
9/10
The room was super clean and cozy and very quiet. I found tea and coffee facilities in the room. The bath and shower were both great, I really liked the shower pressure. The hotel rooms are spacious.
Location
8/10
The location was excellent, and the view from my room was perfect. It was easy to reach the port early in the morning from the hotel. It is also good for easy access to the major road network, I found this useful.
Dining
9/10
The hotel provides very good breakfast and a lovely coffee. Breakfast service is pretty standard and nice. I thought the hot buffet offered bacon, sausages, beans, and eggs. Cereals, fruit, yogurts, and pastries were also available.
0 Helpful
|
Show less
William from United Kingdom
Business traveller
double room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 22, 2026
9.0/10

relaxing stay

helpful staffspacious roomgood selection
the staff were very friendly and helpful throughout my stay. the room was spacious and clean. breakfast offered a good selection of items, ensuring a satisfying start to the day.
the room key sometimes didn't work on the first try.
Dining
9/10
breakfast had scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon and beans. plenty of tea and toast were available. the restaurant was clean.
Rooms
9/10
the double room was large and spacious. the bed was massive. the room was clean.
Service
10/10
adam checked me in and was very friendly. he was helpful and informative. the staff were very good.
Location
8/10
the hotel is around 10 minutes from the city centre. access to the major road network is easy. it is close to major roads.
0 Helpful
|
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Grant from United Kingdom
Family with children
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:December 09, 2025
8.7/10

Easy Check-In and Good Breakfast

friendly staffexcellent baconcomfortable room
Check-in was very straightforward due to the friendly reception staff. Breakfast included bacon which was excellent. The room was comfortable and very clean. I found the location very suitable for attending a local family event.
I noticed there was no chef available on Saturday night.
Dining
9/10
I enjoyed a great breakfast that had a nice selection. There was bacon available. I think it was delicious. The breakfast area provided a relaxed start to the day. I didn't need anything else.
Rooms
8/10
The room was an adequate size for my needs. I had a Twin Room with comfortable beds. The room was also clean. I felt that this detail allowed me to have a good nights rest.
Facilities
9/10
The parking was included. I just entered my registration into the system. The lounge and bar area offered a place to relax with a drink. I found the staff helpful. They were very friendly.
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About Dragonfly Hotel Colchester
What are the check-in and check-out times at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
Check-in at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester is from 16:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
Is parking available at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
Free public parking is available on-site without the need for a reservation.
What dining options are available at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
The hotel features an on-site restaurant serving an all-day dining menu and a bar/lounge area.
What are some attractions near Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
Notable attractions include Colchester Zoo (approximately 15 minutes by car), the University of Essex (within a 10-minute drive), and Dedham Vale National Park.
What amenities do the rooms at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester offer?
Rooms are equipped with Hypnos beds, a 43-inch flat-screen TV, USB charging ports, desks, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
What is the distance from Dragonfly Hotel Colchester to Colchester Town Centre?
Dragonfly Hotel Colchester is approximately 6 km from Colchester Town Centre.
What breakfast options are available at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 12 GBP.
How far is Dragonfly Hotel Colchester from London Stansted Airport?
The hotel is located 60 km from London Stansted Airport.
Is there a lounge area at Dragonfly Hotel Colchester?
Yes, there is a cosy bar and lounge area with ample seating for relaxation and socializing.
What additional features does Dragonfly Hotel Colchester provide for guest safety?
Safety features include smoke detectors, a security system, and carbon monoxide detectors.

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07May2026Select date
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Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room