Discover our exciting pop-up covered and alfresco dining area - where everyone is welcome, including your four-legged friends!

"We visited Drakes for the first time last night and it certainly won’t be the last. An absolutely amazing experience for al fresco dining. The restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere and surroundings. The approach via a new path with flowers either side, to a tent topped restaurant festooned with lights is magical. Led by Helder and his attentive team the restaurant is sure to become a destination for families, couples and friends. The menu includes pizzas straight from the pizza oven which we all had last night, best pizza’s we have had for ages. Good choice of toppings some unusual combinations which was lovely. I had the hot honey chicken, red onion and rocket which was delicious. My husband and son shared a mushroom with truffle oil and a chorizo, chicken and ham between them and said they were delicious also. We will be returning very soon."

"We had afternoon tea at Pontlands Park Hotel for my sister’s baby shower, and it was perfect. Afternoon tea was very tasty, and if you are gluten-free, they made the same effort, unlike other places I have been to. Staff couldn't do enough and were very friendly. Thank you!"

We stayed overnight as a family in July to celebrate our son's 40th birthday & had the best time. I really couldn’t fault this hotel. So impressed with the friendliness & helpfulness of the staff, the hotel facilities & the restaurant. Our son & daughter each had a family suite & my husband & I had a superior room all of which were spacious, clean & very comfortable. We all enjoyed the indoor pool (it was too windy for us to try the outdoor) & the adults found the jacuzzi’s & sauna really relaxing. Our meal in the evening was excellent & our 2 waiters were great. Everyone really helped to make our celebration very special!

"Six of us attended the Murder Mystery dinner last night. The three course meal was lovely food. Entertainment was very very good. Staff were welcoming, attentive and professional with smiles all round. Just a fantastic evening of fun and great food/drink."

"Great welcome, nice bar area and the restaurant for both dinner and breakfast was excellent. Bedroom was spacious, warm and comfortable. Spotlessly clean. Car parking plentiful. Easy to find (just off the A12). Lovely stay and will stay again."

"I booked a festive afternoon tea for an overseas visitor. I can honestly say this was the best afternoon tea I have had, and I will be back for another at some time. We weren't rushed, nothing was too much for the staff and of course the food was delicious. We were given boxes to bring home the treats we were unable to finish."

"A beautiful property in lovely surrounds, close to Chelmsford and surrounding areas. The hotel and our room was spotless and the staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough for you. The food was also superb! We will certainly stay again and is highly recommended!"

"Myself and my partner had afternoon tea at the hotel on Saturday just gone and what a delight it was from start to finish. Despite the hotel being quite busy with functions etc the attention to detail was immaculate. The food was incredibly fresh, tea and coffee was regularly topped up, the service was spot on and the environment was just right. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience which we would highly recommend!"

"We stayed at Pontlands two weekend running, had a Deluxe room and a standard room. The rooms were beautiful, very well appointed have everything you need, lovely bedding, quality decoration and furniture, bathrooms were very bright and spacious with good towels and bath products. The grounds are very well cared for, immaculate in fact and very beautiful. All the staff are polite and courteous nothing is too much trouble. We only had breakfast in the hotel, it was extremely good plenty of choice and very well presented and of good quality. I would stay here again in a heartbeat and hope I do soon!"