The marmite factor
And so, to Trip Advisor, the War Zone, the Battlefield.
“Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense.
He whom nature has made weak, and idleness keeps ignorant, may yet support his vanity by the name of a critic.”
(Dr) Samuel Johnson, Poet, Essayist, Lexicographer. 1709 – 1784
Anonymous.
+ Lovely food – way above what you would expect from such an establishment. The owners should have opened a restaurant, not a hotel. Cheerful biker clientele in the day.
- The owners had a booklet in the room telling you how marvellous and unique and creative their hotel was. This was embarrassing really because although it was unique (certainly) it wasn’t of a high standard. The room I stayed in had grubby woodchip wallpaper and tired bedlinen. The much- lauded art on the walls was actually a bit mediocre. Whoever collected it seemed to have a breast-fetish. There were bare breasts everywhere (in the art work!).
An afterthought looking back now, the title of the booklet referred to was ‘HUMBLE PIE’ printed on the yellow front cover in black, bold capitals. Incidentally the booklet was our brochure.
However, we replied at the time.
“Oh dear, even the compliments are tainted.
Art-wise – we have Barbara Hepworth, Terry Frost, Picasso, Henry Moore with verifiable provenance. We also have American Peter Max, sculptor Jonathon Clarke, and French Sculptor, Toutain.
Breasts- a sculpture in the lounge by a Cypriot artist who said breasts were very important, fundamental to the survival of the human race. Breast cancer entered her thinking as she lost friends to the illness. Fetish is too freakish. But I do admit to liking breasts. They’ve been in my face from a very young age. I’m a sucker for other bits too. Thank you for the opportunity to help you.”
5/5 Ed. UK 4/10/2003
“I found my one night stay quite uplifting because of the entire philosophy that the owners have (and are still) putting into it’s remarkable artistic refurbishments. They have produced a most entertaining booklet about their plans, with lovely coloured photographs of each room. I stayed in the beautifully comfortable Room 7. I want to go there again.”
“Great little hotel”
The Hotel Continental
Stayed August.2005. Tumwater, St Charles County, Missouri 5/5
My wife and I have stayed at the hotel three times. September of 2002 (three nights) and 2003 (four nights) and most recently from August 26-31, 2005. Each of these stays have been immediately in advance of the RCCL Transatlantic Cruise and frankly, the reason we go into Harwich so far in advance is, quite simply, the Hotel Continental. Harwich is convenient to London, an hour and a half on the train and each year we’ve ridden into London, gotten around via public transportation, and enjoyed our days in the city. Harwich itself is an interesting small town for walking around seeing the light houses, the Trinity House which services the navigation buoys and lighthouses throughout the North Sea and English Channel, the Treadmill Crane, Ha’Penny Pier. Dovercourt Beach is right across Marine Parade from the Hotel Continental and we enjoyed strolling the shore walk all the way into town.
That being said I return to my point that we go in early to stay at the Hotel Continental. I think it’s fair to say that over the years we’ve gotten to know Blossom and Gordon and their theory of hospitality. They pretty much do whatever is possible to make your stay pleasant and relaxing. This year for example, among the guests were two couples with reservations on the Thomson Celebration cruise through the Baltic states. The Celebration developed engine problems en-route, and its arrival in Harwich was delayed by almost 24hours. Thomson cruises handled the delay as well as they could, but ended up stashing passengers as far and further away as Stanstead. Blossom made special arrangements for those couples who had been guests in the hotel to extend their stay at the Continental so they could proceed to the Port for boarding at 8.00am instead of the middle of the night like the people parked far away. In my own case, this year as my mother-in-law’s health deteriorated, and my wife had to spend five months away from our home caring for her until we could get her parents moved to our area, I had to change reservation dates with Blossom three times before her parents were stable enough to leave them alone. Each time she accommodated our needs, with an empathy and understanding unique and distinctly different from typical corporate providers.
We liked the relaxing atmosphere of the pub, and usually adjourn to it after finishing our meals which are taken in the superb hotel restaurant. We talk to people out there – the guests, the people who drop in for a pint, and the regulars who come in evening after evening to sit and discuss, sometimes debate issues of the day. You often have to place your order at the bar but you have to do that everywhere in England, but I’ve never encountered any rudeness from either staff or patrons. A couple of the regulars in there, after a couple of days of hearing it, jibed me about my American accent, and swore they’d break me of pronouncing their town’s name as HAR-WITCH instead of AIR-ISH as they’d prefer. I didn’t think that was rudeness, just bar talk, and having a bit of fun.
I picked the Hotel Continental the first time in 2002 randomly off the web, because I liked their tag line on the webpage “We love our hotel. We think you will like the idea.” We went back in 2003, staying an additional night because we liked it so much in 2002. We went back in 2005 because it’s the Hotel Continental and we’ve fallen for the place and the people. We’re going back again in 2006. We’re booked on Jewel of the Seas 12-night Transatlantic Harwich – Boston, and we’re staying at the Continental because we can’t imagine staying anywhere else. A couple of reporters claim bad experiences. Stuff happens. But it hasn’t happened to me in the twelve nights I’ve spent there. I’m going back in August of 2006, and I’m looking forward to it with only the highest expectations.
“Different….but we really loved it.” August 2015.
“Everything I’ve read is about right, it is in need of some attention due to the age of the property, although our rooms were immaculately clean and the décor in our rooms was like nothing we’d seen anywhere! The bedroom was calm, the bed super comfortable and we slept well. The entrance was lively with bold wallpaper and cool coat stand, the kitchen/dining area had hand-painted wallpaper which I loved, nice touches like the cute floral glasses and bird-print crockery, there was the most gorgeous view to the front with huge windows looking out to sea. Bathroom had an enormous wet room shower, interesting and fun artwork on the tiles and an abundance of clean fluffy towels. I really enjoyed our stay, we only stayed on the Saturday night but I would have happily stayed longer and will absolutely stay there again. The owner was a lovely lady, what I liked was we were politely shown to our room and then left to our own devices. Wish we’d been up in time for breakfast as I’m told it’s excellent, the pub reminded me of a typical drinkers’ pub, but locals were welcoming, loud and friendly, chatting away. It was a happy place and I would stay again in a heartbeat. Go without a snooty attitude and enjoy it for what it is; unique, beautiful, quirky, homely, friendly and fun!
Replied. We are overwhelmed. Looking forward to seeing you again.
2/5 22/05/2013
“The room was quite nice”
Proprietor! Very unfriendly and were made to feel an inconvenience”.
Responded. This is what I would call a stab in the back.
(Stayed 3 nights, refused an upgrade on arrival, and never spoke to anyone again.)
Consider: Any interface with new people, strangers, has the quality of a mirror reflecting the image presented. We respond automatically, unconsciously to every subtlety, every gesture, every expression ---- stand-off brings stand-off, welcome, welcome. Personally, I’ve no time for stupid, smiling, have-a-nice-day falsehood, the Santa Claus deceit. Our whole deal was genuineness, simple, uncomplicated. Natural.
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” William Shakespeare 1564 -1616.
Perhaps some people prefer nice robots. Soft, compliant, gentle dolls.
4.5/5
“I really enjoyed the friendliness of the owners. It was very welcoming and a real relaxed environment. The location was excellent, right on the seafront so it was ideal for the chilled out and relaxed break we were after away from the city madness.”
Replied. Thank you so much for writing in, you may have inspired more people from London to head this way.
“Sweet and homely and easy for the ferry”
Reviewed yesterday NEW
I loved my room (I think it was no 2). It was a single room (usually I would book a family room) but I was in the unusual position of travelling alone. I felt safe and cosy here and loved the tree/nature theme I had. The receptionist was lovely and ordered me a taxi for the next morning. The taxi driver knew her and he was a lovely local driver. I had everything I needed and more - Sky TV, plenty of storage, peace and quiet, a good size ensuite with nice shower, an electric alarm clock, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities in the room. Easily situated for the Ferry terminal, with a gorgeous walk along the promenade in front, it was good value, and I would definitely come back here.
Room Tip: I was on the first floor and it was fine, I couldn't get the Wi-Fi to work, but that wasn't t...
See more room tips
Stayed August 2016, travelled solo
5/5 USA 17/09/2013
‘funky room decors and friendly staff”
- Breakfast and restaurant options were too pricey for our tastes. Menus looked enticing but just a tad too expensive.
Replied. Thank you for your appreciation. If you come back this way, we will include a Dinner in the room rate.
There are so many hidden costs; 6 weeks holiday pay for staff, maternity pay, 20%VAT, Climate Change Levy, Commission rates of up to 25%. These are things that people aren’t aware of when they’re considering how much food costs. Add to that we use costly, high quality, organic gm-free ingredients in our dishes and consequently can’t deliver meals any cheaper.
Stayed June 2015, travelled with friends
Dearest Gordon and Blossom,
We had the pleasure of staying at your fun and beautiful hotel in June 2015 prior to embarking on a cruise with RCI. We enjoyed your hotel immensely and have spoken many times since last summer that we would like to go back just to stay with you and explore your seaside town. I trust you are both well and please remember to take care of you! The world is a better place for having both of you in it and for being blessed with your loving nature and fun, caring personalities. Please be well and if you've ever the chance, let us know you are doing ok!
Sincerely, ………………. (and the ladies) P.S. You helped me keep my "ducks in a row" by reassuring me via email that our reservation was all in order as I was stressing just prior to leaving on nearly a month-long trip to Europe (with three teenage girls in tow), of which you were the first stop. My husband and I stayed in your lovely Room #5 with the colourfully tiled bathroom and our two daughters and one of their friends stayed above us, I cannot remember the room number. P.P.S. BREAKFAST WAS OUTSTANDING and worth every POUND!
5/5 UK Room 14. 4/06/2013
Situated 10 mins drive from Harwich International, we stayed at the Continental after getting off the Holland ferry. The hotel has been described as ‘quirky’ and ‘individual’ and both words fit the hotel perfectly.
And I mean that in a good way. If you expect a penguin in a bow tie to bow as you open the car door than this isn’t the place for you. If you prefer to be greeted by a genuine friendly guy who really wants you to have a pleasant stay, then book now.
Automatic bi-fold doors (so handy when weighted down with luggage) lead on to the reception area where we were booked in quickly without fuss. We felt we were being greeted by an old friend rather than a faceless receptionist and were soon shown to Room 14, which must have the best view of any room in the hotel – 3rd floor overlooking the sea. Through the two large windows we could see the coastline stretching away to the derricks of Harwich port and a row of beach huts in the other direction.
Our room contained everything we could have wanted and more – the usual drink-making facilities (with plenty of supplies), bottled water, wall-mounted tv, built in clock/radio, really comfortable bed and more storage space than we could use. Even a fold-up table fitted to one wall. In the bathroom were soft towels, a very fetching turquoise bathmat, a wonderful translucent purple wash basin and a twin-headed shower that had me puzzled for a while but worked very well once I figured out what to do with the valves, levers and dials. Breakfast was served in the ground floor dining area, with all food sourced locally and most is organic (excellent booklet in the room explaining about the sources of supply). I opted for the continental breakfast and got what I would term an ‘English style’ meal, fresh sliced tomatoes, thick slices of ham and chunks of cheese served with a basket of warm bread. Absolutely delicious and very filling too.!”
Group booking of Health and Safety employees working at nearby offices.
Stayed 16th September 2015.
“We arrived and were ushered through a full bar (to get to reception- and eventually our rooms). There is a punch code system entry to the rooms. I locked my ‘reminder card’ in my room at one point went downstairs to ask for another and was horrified to see that these were in no way secured. The reception wasn’t manned as they were serving at the bar. Anyone could go over and find out the code to get into the rooms. There was a shared balcony accessible to all the other people on the floor. There is a double-glazed door out onto the balcony with no facility to lock this. There is a plastic latch (which is pretty loose) which seems like it would be no trouble at all to anyone who wanted to get into his room. One guest has stains all over her carpet.
Last night we went to have a shower. The water was cold. I went to find the owner (Blossom) and she advised ‘the water takes ages to heat up’ and to leave the taps running, she said if this didn’t work I would have to ‘see Gordon’ – ok… I left my taps running for 10 minutes. I ended up having a lukewarm shower that had zero water pressure. It took me 20 mins to wash shampoo out of my hair. Another guest had the same issue. My colleague’s shower is better but then he doesn’t have a door to his bathroom – just some beads. He also has astro-turf instead of carpet or any other type of flooring that you would expect…on a floor (I think the novelty of this has already worn off….)
I had to carry my bag up two flights of stairs – there is currently a ladder propped up against the wall opposite my door, it’s been there since I arrived. We decided to move them from the Hotel on Tuesday after staying for 1 night. In the circumstances we would expect to arrange a refund of the remaining four nights.
Our response.
“We arrived and were ushered through a full bar……..”
How a full bar is a cause for complaint is beyond me. Had these people used the Hotel Main entrance they would not have passed through the bar. The bar is mostly peopled by ordinary everyday hardworking Harwich folk and a few retirees, none of whom would harass or give offence to visitors. The ‘full bar’ comment is a disgraceful, desperate attempt to make a non-existent case.
“there is a punch code entry system to the rooms. I locked my reminder card in my room and went downstairs to ask for another and was horrified to see these cards were unsecured…”
Replied: These keys are in our reception office well out of reach by all but staff. They are approximately 3.5metres or 12.5 feet from anyone checking in. Our reception has a half-door bolted on the inside and a flap which would have to be lifted to get through them. Our reception is watched over by recording cctv. Unauthorised people making entry would be guilty of burglary. A fantasy such as suggested points to paranoia.
“There was a shared balcony……………………….”
Here we go again. We can all make up stories and develop unlikely scenarios but to expect refunds for poor quality fiction is ridiculous.
“One guest had stains all over her carpet.”
Which room was this? Wine spills, coffee, tea are not unusual in busy hotels. Again nothing that would harm anyone and usually, in our case, dealt with before becoming an offensive problem. Most reviewers stress the cleanliness of our establishment.
“Last night we went to have a shower………….”
We have a good supply of hot water. A bit of common sense runs off the cold in the pipes until the hot comes. It is possible to leave a tap open and run off all the hot water. This would show ineptitude or plain mischief making.
“My colleague’s shower is better…………………”
For God’s sake I’ve seen hotel rooms with baths next to the bed and no walls. Should privacy worry anyone who’s alone in a room?
“He also had astro turf instead of carpet or other flooring you would expect………….”
Why should you expect? This is a fun, original art room appreciated by most people.
“I had to carry my bags up two flights of stairs…………”
Terrible, terrible. I could cry. Such hardship. Where were the colleagues.?
As for the ladder it didn’t bite anyone. Wasn’t in anybody’s way and a sign of maintenance in progress.
----------------
Poor creatures so stuck in a hierarchy, rigidly trained to conformity. Typical restless neurotic pseudo-scientific civil servant jobsworths seeking to extend their pathetic authority believing their rank matters.
Next review, concerning the same room with the Astro Turf.
24th June 2013. By letter.
“Please accept our apologies- I left your hotel on Friday morning with the enclosed card in my pocket. Thank you for a lovely stay – my sister and I loved Room 10 – very funky.”
__________________________________
“I was robbed at the oceanfront continental”.
“I was robbed at the oceanfront continental hotel. On September 13th 2009….discovered that my camera which had been in a cabinet in my room, was missing. The zipper of my locked luggage had been forced open, and $400 worth of new clothing was taken. There was no forced entry, and nothing seemed disturbed. The police said it was clearly an inside job, and I agree. When I told the hotel management, all the said was “sorry this happened, are you sure you didn’t leave your door open”. When I pressed them for any action, they said, they would “ask housekeeping”. When I checked out they had not yet “asked” housekeeping anything. I feel horribly violated that I should be robbed in a hotel for which I paid $100 a night. This is the worst travel experience of my life.”
We wrote to Trip Advisor in response.
“We absolutely refute this appalling accusation. We have no records of this incident taking place at this hotel on the night in question or any other night nor of any guest from South America or anywhere else. Our staff are long-serving and scrupulously honest, bringing to management any items left in rooms which are routinely posted back to guests.
We can only think that this is a dreadful mistake. There are lots of Hotel Continentals worldwide and must have happened at one of them.
Trip Advisor refused to take the posting down, but fortunately one of our staff, being computer-savvy managed to independently locate the reviewer and we were able to ascertain she hadn’t stayed with us but a hotel in Miami, Florida.
She wrote,
“I posted a message about being robbed the Continental Oceanfront at Collins Ave in Miami Florida. That has nothing to do with you.”
We wrote back,
9th Nov. I do understand that you didn’t stay with us but in Miami, but Trip Advisor have posted your review onto our site and are refusing to take it off even though it doesn’t apply to us. Can you please write to them to tell them you didn’t stay with us. I would be very grateful.
The lady very kindly contacted Trip Advisor and the offending review was removed.
6 July 2013. 10/10 USA
‘The room was very unique as were all the rooms. The location and staff were excellent. We were allowed to check in very early after our overseas flight. The hotel is right on the water and a very short walk to a shopping area. We will stay there again. The food in the restaurant was very good and we even ate there just before we got on our cruise ship, even we could have eaten for free on the ship.”
Reply. We are overwhelmed. Looking forward to seeing you again.
“Very nice staff, bizarre & shabby hotel”
24 Oct 2009.
I stayed at the Hotel Continental for 3 nights in October. My room was small and the plaster on the ceiling was coming down, there were stains on my chair and carpet, the washbasin was only half-heartedly attached to the wall, and my radiator could apparently not be turned off manually, so when it became unbearably hot in my room, I got the staff to turn it off altogether, resulting in a freezing cold room instead. Do not get me started on the strange sculptures and lampshades throughout the hotel. Friends of mine were also staying there in other rooms – one had a shower that hardly functioned at all, so she used my shower instead. Due to the smell of frying fat and booze in the dining room, we didn’t have breakfast at the hotel, but one of our neighbours told us it was really good. In the end, it wasn’t horrible, but ‘shabby’ is the first word that comes to mind. The place definitely needs redecorating, but the staff are quite nice.
We wrote to her directly.
Dear Miss……..,
Having read your review on Trip Advisor there are just a few points I would like you to consider that you may better appreciate what our enterprise is about and why it is the way it is. I don’t quite know where to start not wanting to stress one aspect of our presentation as more important than another but I’m really glad you mentioned ‘the strange sculptures and lampshades throughout the hotel’. Many people may well be interested in strange sculptures and lampshades and could be intrigued enough to visit us to see these things for themselves. You will no doubt have gathered, having noted the sculptures, that we collect art. We have quite a lot. Some of our collection is by little-known people, sculptor Garry Martin to name one and perhaps slightly better-known Jonathon Clarke and the Frenchman Toutain. We have dotted about the place signed limited edition prints by such well-known figures as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Elizabeth Frink, Terry Frost and of course a sprinkling of lesser known people. We also have some genuine Picasso porcelain and some works by Australian aborigines.
Maybe you noticed the stair carpet. We have not had it down long but it is a design by Sam Clarke in the 1950’s and produced by Vorwerk. We love it. It makes me think of Jack and the Beanstalk every time I ascend the stairs. Genuine art applied to our daily lives, though some of it is so unobtrusive that a cursory glance my not reveal it, adds something to the general quality of life.
Lampshades? We don’t really make a thing of lampshades but the wall lights in Room 8 are worthy of a mention being Murano Glass, and there’s a Habitat number in the lobby, and a piece called ‘Icarus’ on the stairs.
“Due to the smell of frying fat”. We don’t fry with fat. My wife and I are Vegetarians, she’s an absolute food freak, and though meat is cooked in our kitchen we do have a very efficient recently installed new extraction system which takes away that awful smell of dead animal being heated up. And the smell of “booze in the dining room”. We do know quite a bit about booze. We have a fairly steady brisk trade in alcohol. In this area we are the envy of many a local publican but I would say you need an extremely keen olfactory to smell booze in our restaurant. I have difficulty smelling it even when I’m working behind the bar, and I’m teetotal and a non-smoker.
“Shabby?” I would say well-used is the case. We can’t replace everything immediately it becomes a little worn. And here again our occupancy figures are the envy of nearby hotels. In fact the manager from the Cliff asked us most seriously how did we get so many visitors.
…………………………..In the end your review wasn’t horrible. It just shows a definite lack of taste, of basic understanding and unforgiving intolerance. If you come this way again I will gladly show you round and even treat you to a drink or two. Incidentally look on our website at our super new holiday flats. I’ll bet you’ll like them. Underfloor heating and power showers with body sprays. Tell your friends to drop in and test a warm welcome and friendly ambience. It’s human. It’s so good here.
She wrote back,
“Thank you for your email, it is very kind of you to have taken the time to write such an elaborate explanation. As I mentioned in my review I found the hotel staff to be very warm, nice and helpful people………………………
Moreover, to put it mildly, I am not a big fan of modern or abstract art, which probably accounts for my opinion on the sculptures and other artwork…….”
May 2013. 4/5
Personally, I loved the quirkiness of this hotel but then I loathe Travelodge and McDonalds. On the good side the views from the front are perfect – just straight onto the sea at the top of the cliffs- there are unexpected twists and turns and odd artworks embedded in the walls!
On the bad side I have to say it is getting a bit tatty. And poor attention to detail in updating makes this seem worse. For example, the newly installed mirror was not quite level, pipework in the bathroom was exposed when it should have been concealed, tile grout on the face of the tiles. It doesn’t really add up to a quality experience. You’ll hate it if you want sterile, efficient and practical. You’ll like it if you enjoy nonconformity and the stimulation of mild oddness.
Replied. Thank you for your review. About the pipes. Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate, I think it was him, described the human body as a “little city of sewers”. With the human body not that many pipes are visible, just the odd vein, but I look on the pipes as just an extension of ourselves. Maybe to please you I’ll cover them in Papier Mache so they become part of my sculpture ‘Sanitree’ which winds its way up the Lee Road stairs. Best wishes and thank you again.
“Small, family run and friendly.”
Reviewed 14 October 2013 NEW
I stayed here for 2 nights for the Harwich International Sea Shanty Festival (highly recommended if you like the music!). The Continental fitted the bill perfectly. It is on the sea-front in Dovercourt, 20-25 minutes-walk from Old Harwich. The room (room 3) didn't have any of the artwork, but was spacious and comfortable. The bathroom (with shower) was to a good spec. The tea, coffee and biscuits in the room were good quality, a cut above the normal. The same went for the breakfast; excellent quality bacon and sausage, all freshly cooked. I had a pint from the bar which was very well kept. I had a sandwich from the light bites menu which was well filled and reasonably priced. I didn't have any of the cooked food on the dinner menu, but the portions I saw coming out were generous and looked good. I heard no complaints! As others have said, it's not a holiday inn. Much of the maintenance looks like it is done in house, and there was ongoing maintenance while I was there. This in no way affected my stay. On the busier morning there was a 15-20-minute wait for breakfast, as was advised on the website and the menu. I thought the wait was worth it for fresh cooked food. There was a good selection of cereal and yoghurt with fruit salad while I was waiting. The coffee was also good quality. I find some of the comments in other reviews hard to believe. Harwich is a quiet town, and the hotel is at the quiet end. It's difficult to imagine a bar-room brawl there at 5 in the morning. I suggest you give it a try yourself if you don't mind something individual and homely as opposed to 5* impersonal.
Lovely hotel”
Reviewed 3 days ago NEW
My partner and I stayed here as a last-minute trip due to the fact we were child-free for a couple of nights. Blossom was so helpful when booking a room, we told her what rooms we liked the look of online and what we wanted from our trip and she advised us what she thought we might like. She even said we could select a room on our arrival if we wished, as she wasn't too busy. We opted for Room 5 and on our arrival we were pleasantly surprised at how homely the room felt and arrived to a bottle of Prosecco and some Thorntons chocolates which my partner had requested as a surprise. The room overlooks the sea and although I can imagine it could be noisy in the summer months, we did not hear a thing! Apparently on the Fri night there was a bit of a `scene` in the bar below us but we were not disturbed in the slightest. I can see where some people are coming from re their comments, as the bar of the hotel is open to locals and stays open till whenever Gordon decides it’s time to shut up shop, and both sat and sun morn there were locals in drinking pints while we were eating our breakfast at 9.30am! However, the service is good and the staff are friendly and the food we had there (all 3 meals) was really lovely. Proper home cooked food and the veggie menu is fab! Blossom even allowed me to mix a couple of veggie dishes up to cater for my tastebuds! Some of the decor needs addressing, but Blossom and Gordon are working through this and the room we had was very clean. The boutique individual style of the rooms is great and each room contains a piece if weird and wonderful art which adds to the character of the hotel. We loved the jacuzzi bath in our room and the unusual wooden furniture created from wood recovered from bush fires etc!
Blossom is such a lovely lady and was more than happy to chat to you and ensures you are happy and that anything you need is provided Harwich isn't the nicest of areas but really does have so much potential. We walked up to old Harwich and had a few drinks in The Pier pub which is also a hotel. I would imagine in the summer months it is more attractive and you would be more inclined to take the foot ferry over to Felixstowe. This trip for us was all about relaxing and spending time together as a couple and this is exactly what we did with the help of Blossom and her staff. We had a lovely stay here and Blossom gave us a bottle of our favourite wine when we left which was so so lovely of her. Be open minded when staying here! Don't expect too much and see it for what it is, a family run hotel with good food and good atmosphere. We will definitely return!
Stayed October 2013, travelled as a Couple.
“An unusual and enjoyable place, but not if you like corporate concrete towers!”
“Before I booked to stay at the Hotel Continental, I read a mixed selection of reviews here. Strangely enough, some of the negative ones actually helped me in choosing to try the place. My feeling is that the differing reactions to the Continental may, in part, be down to a matter of what the beholder thinks an hotel should be. If your expectation tends towards corporate concrete towers where you’ll see the same print on the wall of every room, whether you’re staying in Newcastle or New Jersey, then I’d say the Hotel Continental is not for you. As I was going to Harwich to present radio shows on the LV18, the last manned lightship in the U.K, in celebration of the history of the offshore “pirate radio revolution”, I warmed to the idea of a place with individuality which actually made a point of each room having unique decor. Incidentally, Harwich’s historic radio connection extends beyond the pirates: I gather Marconi himself was making experimental transmissions very nearby what is now the Continental in the late 1890s! So to the Continental itself. My room included such furnishings as a bedside table, cut to a block from a massive piece of tree root. Fascinating and unique. There was a wall clock, some internal doors which, rather delightfully, were not generic matching slabs of MDF and a most attractive chest of drawers, again very unusual and not made from a flat-pack. There was also a very comfortable bed and a good clean bathroom, replete with copper-tubed shower and, oddly enough for a small single room, a bidet. My stay was very pleasant, the owners and staff friendly and helpful, the bar open late - usefully so when I’d returned from the ship and felt like something to nibble when everywhere else was closed - and the aspect of the place facing right onto the seafront is really wonderful. I would happily stay here again. My regret is that I did not have time to try the food, as I heard very good things about what’s made here from other folks I was working with, but I cannot comment on that personally. The Continental was also substantially cheaper to stay in than other spots in Harwich, so very competitive in that sense. If you’re looking for the sort of “perfection” that lives in a hermetic bubble, you may disagree with my award of top marks here; if, on the other hand, you warm to a place with a bit of humanity and thought going into just about every corner, you may find your stay as pleasantly memorable as I do.” Room Tip:Every room is unique and all are pictured on the hotel's website. Stayed July 2015, travelled on business
“Better than expected” July 2015.
Stayed here after Booking.com let me down over my original registration elsewhere. Yes, reception is a little small and off-putting but the rooms are very clean, quirkily and originally decorated; bathrooms are very elegant (although the water pressure leaves a little to be desired) and the staff are friendly and extremely helpful. From the hotel it’s an easy walk into historic Harwich which is delightful and the hotel has a lovely seafront position. No, it’s not the Ritz, but I liked it and would stay again.
Replied; Many thanks. Always nice to find someone who appreciates our effort. I wish we could get even close to the Ritz room rate. Best wishes, Gordon and Blossom Hoyles
“A most shabby stopover”.
Harwich may be a small harbour town on England’s outer edge, but is it really the Third World? The Continental Hotel would make you believe so. Amateurishly furnished, badly kept up and in need of a major overhaul, it reminded me of several hotels in 3rd world countries I stayed in. But these at least were cheap, and the Continental cost us a whopping 96euros for one night. You may be tempted to stay here on arriving from or before sailing to the continent. Do resist the temptation.!
Stayed August 2015.
Perhaps you missed the brothels
And the cannabis cafes
And selection of models
With professional winning ways
Oh how happy we would be
Making cosied homes from home
By fast forward to the Holland
Of the 21st century.
“Great Pre-cruise hotel”
Reviewed 2 weeks ago
This great old seaside inn has been lovingly restored, and each room uniquely decorated with no 2 rooms the same. The Pub/restaurant features a friendly laid-back atmosphere and some of the best food I've had anywhere, particularly if you are vegetarian. The chef prepares each meal to order, so don't expect fast food, but it is well worth the wait. Treat yourself to a day or two in this great old inn. http://www.hotelcontinentalharwich.co.uk/ can also be booked on Expedia
Room Tip: Rooms are each unique. You can see some of them on the hotel's website. Stairs, no lift.
Stayed July 2015, travelled with family
“Unique and original”
Reviewed 2 days ago NEW
This hotel has a very personal and original approach. They have a great eye for detail, as seen in the art collection, but also in the beautiful rooms and the excellent food, organic and from nearby farms. excellent vegetarian food, too. If you are looking for a run-of -the-mill, predictable and boring place, don't go. If you like a unique place with unique people and fantastic food, do!
Stayed December 2014, travelled as a couple
26 August 2013. 5/5
I stayed with friends on a sailing trip. The themed rooms were clean, tidy and well looked after – new TV, free bottled water, coffee etc. The staff were very attentive, welcoming and efficient while giving a comfortable feel to the place. Food is very good – particularly breakfast- good quality farm type ingredients. I have been to many hotels and have found the size of the orange glasses at Breakfast a good indicator- Fruit juice thimbles are a bad sign of mean proprietors. This hotel not only gives large glasses but leaves the juice jug with you! If franchise hotels leave you cold, then this is an excellent choice and at £45 per person I have not seen better.
Stayed February 2016, travelled solo
“Really enjoyed my stay”
“Great rooms very quirky and interesting! I guess wouldn't suit everyone but pretty sure most people would like them. I loved my room. Hotel very clean and great veggie options. And what a lovely sweet couple who own and run it.”
Stayed July 2016, travelled on business
“Relaxing retreat”
Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
“This is not an upmarket fancy hotel. It’s a good 2-star hotel. It’s all a little eccentric, retro & shabby chic. I wanted a place where I could sit & write with a great view of the sea - & the room we were given did not disappoint this hotel is right on the sea front. We had a great view with windows on 2 sides of the building & were treated to a glorious sunrise. The windows also open really wide so great to have fresh sea air with sunshine streaming in. Room was clean with fresh white bed linen. The staff are friendly & helpful. Where this place really excels is the food, especially if you are vegetarian. It's freshly made, organic & well presented. The cooking & that sea view will entice us back.”
Stayed May 2016, travelled as a couple
“Vegan delight.....would definitely go again...”
“Great hidden gem”
via mobile
“Had the deluxe double. Room 7. Was very impressed. Stayed one night. Room was spacious and light. Contemporary decoration. Bathroom was light and clean and jacuzzi bath was a hit with the baby. Would
definitely stay again.”
Stayed September 2016, travelled with family
“Loved It”
Reviewed 9 October 2016
If you want bland conformity stay at a Holiday Inn. Loved every minute of my stay here. The bar serves cask ale and stays open late. The owner is good fun and kept the bar open for us. I didn't eat here but the menu looked interesting.
Stayed October 2016, travelled as a couple
“Best Hotel in Harwich by a fair margin”
31. Jan.2007 5/5
The only Hotel in Harwich I would stay in again. I’ve tried most.
Don’t judge it by it’s exterior. The rooms are perhaps the best I have seen in years of hotel living.
The excellent food tops it off – better than any restaurant in town and have had better food here than in rosette restaurants.
“Bubonic Plague” dissatisfied New York Sept. 2008
There was a review by a Dutchman that we should have heeded before making the reservation – the place is a dump – avoid at all costs – other hotels MUCH MORE DESIRABLE- the Tower – Mayflower near the pier – anything but the Continental – I wouldn’t stay there if they gave me the room for nothing ---“
Our response to Trip Advisor;
We are shocked that a review entitled “Bubonic Plague” has been posted as this is clearly insulting, incorrect, perhaps even libellous, certainly against the rules of Trip Advisor.
The facts are that this customer was disappointed not to have a room with a sea view, even though not requested when booked. We made every effort to please the customer, switching rooms etc.
Our hotel is very individual, and we understand that our style appeals to some but not others. We therefore told them we did not want them unhappy in our hotel; we offered to find them another hotel and we drove them, in the Rolls Royce, to the other hotel.
We always want feedback, but it should be factual and fair. A recent report from Visit Britain rated ALL areas as either Good and Very Good.
17 December 2008. Response from Trip Advisor.
Dear Owner,
Thank you for taking the time to write a management response on Trip Advisor. Unfortunately, we cannot publish your response because it does not meet our posting criteria. We do not post responses that contain comments on Trip Advisor policies – “We are shocked that a review entitled “Bubonic Plague” has been posted as this is clearly insulting, incorrect , perhaps even libellous, certainly against the rules of Trip Advisor”
Please consider resubmitting a response which meets our posting criteria.
A Business Coach working with us at this time to help with marketing replied to Trip Advisor
17.December 2008
“Thank you for your reply.
We consider our response was a reasonable and a factual response to an insulting and potentially libellous entry i.e Bubonic Plague. As I believe our response does comply with your rules, but the original entry does not I would appreciate a phone call to discuss our response and what we can do to either remove the original or to post our reply. This is a matter of considerable importance and urgency to us.”
Trip Advisor didn’t call, nor remove the review. It still appeared a year later when again we wrote to them to no avail. Of course, such reviews that carry no marks out of 5 bring down the overall average rating of the establishment.
Whilst I believe in free speech and will defend it vigorously at all times the only proviso being right to reply. To be civilised we must be able to argue the point. Therefore, I beg to suggest that the credibility and worth of the forum ‘Trip Advisor’ is questionable. That anyone can say anonymously absolutely anything true or false with impunity is I think a bridge too far. Those attacked by the hostiles have very few tools with which to fight back. Their, that is to say, Trip Advisor’s rules forbid direct contact with offenders even if you can work out who they are. And any written responses have to go through Trip Advisor’s censors. Crass, disgraceful.
Consider what the motives of reviewers may be. With some no doubt it’s a hobby. They are not genuine travellers but people at a loose end massaging their egos. Nobodies heading to oblivion.
Perhaps some reviews are to divert trade to local competitors written even by local competitors. Some written to assuage grudges, settling scores, blackmail, money off or else.
And there are companies who write favourable reviews for a fee. Not everything is written for the pure and true benefit of the reader.
Trip Advisor is best intention gone to hell.
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