The Colchester outpost of The Best Western hotel group bears the name Marks Tey Hotel, and is a viable choice for wedding receptions.
Marks Tey Hotel is able to accommodate up to 180 seated guests for evening affairs, with three separate suites to choose from: The Balkan Suite, The Claudius Suite and the Brasserie & Claudius Suite (a combination of the suite and the hotel’s on-site restaurant).
The Balkan Suite is the largest single space that the hotel has to offer and is able to accommodate 120 guests for sit-down wedding receptions. The Balkan Suite comes with the added advantage of its own dedicated bar, as well as a lounge area. Those planning a summer wedding will be glad to hear that the room is fully air-conditioned, while during the winter, guests can leave their coats and bags in the convenient cloakroom (there’s a wheelchair accessible lift too should you have elderly or disabled guests in attendance).
For smaller wedding parties of up to 70 seated guests, there is The Claudius Suite. Located on the hotel’s ground floor, this room has character in spades thanks to high ceilings, mirrors which give the room added depth, and a shimmering gold ceiling. Marks Tey recommends hosting a candle-lit wedding breakfast here to really make the most of the room’s features and ambience.
If you are looking to have a larger number of guests on your big day, there is the option to combine The Claudius Suite with the hotel’s on-site brasserie, which together can host up to 180 people. There’s plenty of natural daylight pouring through the windows, while the room also opens out on to the hotel’s garden patio, which is great for cocktail hours and outdoor barbecues during the summer season.
A further draw of the venue is that is comes complete with extensive grounds, which offer up an ideal backdrop for stunning wedding photographs.