OYO the Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, Chelmsford

This basic type hotel seems to be just starting up? I expect it will be much better in the future. Staff are very nice and seemed very enthusiastic Bathroom very nice in the room I was in, which was small but nicely decorated and the beds very comfortable. On the downside it was thick with building dust which I cleaned from the air as well as the surfaces before I could sleep there - this was back in March 2025. They seemed to welcome my suggestion that they next get a good cleaner. I hope they did. Paper thin walls.

We booked this hotel as it was the only one available. The room was clean but it really was like stepping back into the 1990’s . The rooms were a chalet design and you could see that many were uninhabitable. No food was available as the restaurant had closed down . The view from the rooms was like looking onto roadworks with road signs and building materials everywhere. The staff were polite but overall it needs a complete upgrade.

The hotel is run down and the rooms are very basic and need modernising. A lot of the rooms are not used.

2.5/5 Stars Our stay here was a bit of a mixed bag. Upon arrival, we joked that we'd somehow entered the Twilight Zone – the vibe was more "motel" than "hotel." The staff were friendly enough, which was a definite plus. Our room was clean, for the most part, but we did notice that the spare pillows had some noticeable stains. Not a deal-breaker, but a bit disappointing. The real issue, though, was the overall atmosphere of the place. It felt deserted, like we were the only guests. The decor was straight out of a classic Western film – think tumbleweeds rolling down the sidewalk at any moment. While it had a certain quirky charm, it didn't exactly scream "luxury" or "modern amenities." If you're looking for a no-frills place to rest your head, this might be okay. However, if you're after a more hotel-like experience, you might want to look elsewhere. Perhaps a bit of renovation and some added amenities could elevate this place from motel vibes to something more impressive. For now, it's an average stop poor stay

Rivenhall in need of a lift This hotel was just a two night wedding stay so didn't need to be great. Price suggested it wouldn't be. It is a bit run down trying to get back on its feet. Staff were as helpful as they could be. No restaurant so no breakfast. A lot of the rooms not in service it appears. Room wasn't serviced between days. So did it's job at the basic end, nothing more.

Went well. Comfortable rest. They were excellent hosts.