Prested Hall, Colchester

With contemporary style and comfort within an historic listed country house, this privately owned hotel sits discreetly amid 75 acres of Essex parkland, within 30 minutes of Stansted Airport.

Partially surrounded by a moat, Prested Hall offers 15th and 18th century interiors, stunning Art Nouveau decor and elegant 1930s extensions.

With 10 attractive en suite rooms and an additional 6 one and two-bedroom serviced apartments, an adjacent health club and established events facilities, the owners of Prested Hall have attempted to create a place of quality, where comfort, style and relaxation exist without cold formality.

Hotel guests will find helpful staff and attention to detail, with fresh flowers throughout the house, along with books to browse through, DVDs to borrow, real coffee in the rooms, breakfast house specials and, always, the pleasure of being away from city stress amid beautiful surroundings.

Situated just off the A12, a 5-minute drive from Kelvedon Station.

During health club opening hours, you are welcome to use the 20-metre indoor pool, sauna and steam room, and, subject to a fitness assessment, the well-equipped gym. There are also outdoor lawn tennis courts.

The spa at the health club offers a range of treatments and pamper packages.

Prested is the only hotel in the world to offer the Tudor game of real tennis – an introduction to the game can be arranged in advance.

Prested Hall has 10 lovely en suite rooms, some with baths and some with showers. All the rooms are individual in style, with original features, comfortable beds and fine Egyptian cotton bed linen. Each room is of a good size and most have views over Prested’s extensive grounds.