Quaint and delightful

Breakfast was huge and the staff were very friendly and helpful especially the manager.ther

There was nothing not to like, staff very friendly and helpful and the location was perfect.

Breakfast service was strange. No milk and no butter.

Lots of character, friendly staff, great location in the heart of Wivenhoe.

The cooked breakfast was excellent. I especially enjoyed the sausages. The chef/server was very attentive and even learned how to use the new coffee machine for us :)

location

narrow staircase and the room was dusty and there were cobwebs on the ceiling. No breakfast

Good location just a few yards back from the riverside up a narrow lane. Very friendly staff and a clean comfortable room. Once the pub closed for the night it was a very quiet location. The room was tastefully decorated and full of character, with tea and coffee making facilities as well as bottled water and cartons of orange juice. Spacious bathroom with toiletries provided, plenty of hot water from the shower.

This is not a negative, as the property is very old and full of character, but the stairs up to the rooms are narrow and steep as is to be expected.

This was our third time of staying at the Black Buoy Inn in Wivenhoe. Our main reason for using this pub is that it's situated in very close proximity to where some close members of our family live, meaning that it's a short and easy walk from the pub to visit our family. Therefore, we can have a drink in the evenings without worrying about driving. Wivenhoe is also very close to historic Colchester, which is worth a visit. The pub is clearly an old, historic building, having a number of limitations. However the facilities are OK for an inn of this type. The rooms are clean, the beds are reasonably comfortable; there are tea and coffee making facilities in each of the rooms and each has an en-suite bathroom. Also, we have always found the management and staff to be friendly and welcoming. The location is also ideal for walks along the quay, which runs adjacent to the Colne river, a few yards away, which I think is quite picturesque. On the last occasion we stayed, unfortunately there was no breakfast owing to staffing difficulties. However we were refunded the cost of this and were assured that by the next time we visit, a cooked breakfast will be back on the menu - so all good!

Off-road car parking is quite limited, with space for only 2 or 3 cars, at most. There is a very steep flight of stairs up to the bedrooms, the floors of which also have a definite "list to starboard"! So if you have mobility issues, then perhaps this is not the place for you.

conveniently close to friends house

room was cold, heating went off and was very cold overnight until it came on in the morning. no breakfast available

great location and staff great

nothing to dislike

Unfortunately they were not able to provide breakfast so they gave us a refund for that. Tho they were very belabour providing tea and milk

In pretty Wivenhoe, very handy for University of Essex. Sara very helpful with directions, advice about parking and alternatives for food, and sent on my phone charger which I forgot.

No meal nor breakfast available when I was there, very steep staircase.

Disappointed that although we booked breakfast it could not be provided on the day.

We checked in with no problems. We thought there room was fine. However, returning to our room after midnight, there wasn't any one around and then in the morning when we left at 9 there wasn't any one around. Would not have liked to be on my own.

Location was great for us, comfy bed, warm room, staff very friendly, breakfast was absolutely fantastic

Nice community run Pub and Hotel, 17th century building, great breakfasts and good selection of food and local ales. Very friendly

This not a dislike just comment you need to read the guide as access to bedroom is via low very steep 17th century staircase so not suitable for disabled or the less mobile.

great location

the room was not cleaned throughly and smelt strongly of bleach. toilet seat was broken/ not attached properly. Breakfast was a 40 minute wait despite pre booking. sausage not cooked. toast cold. butter melted. Staff completely overwhelmed. but very nice.

Breakfast was excellent. Service at breakfast brilliant. Location great.

Let down by the cleanliness and price. Bedding & towels were clean but everything else in the room was dirty. Rooms need a deep clean and smell of damp.

Comfort, location.

old pub in very good position, log fire on cold nights in main bar. only two rooms available and as mentioned by others look out for the very awkward stairs. busy restaurant, good breakfast. only 2 cars can get into car park saved for the bedrooms. so staff will move and cars for you.

although same in price one bedroom is far larger and superior, which I booked only to find the occupants wanted to stay another night, so we were put in the other room without discussion. not convenient room small , cold and not too clean. there is no housekeeping our room was not cleaned for next day even the bins were still full, had to request clean towels , milk , tea etc. restaurant was quite busy , my order for the fish and chips taken , only to be informed, after the starters, it was sold out, recommended the fish pie instead, which was inedible, just a pot of cheesy mash potato and hunt any scraps of fish, although this was taken off my bill we opted out the next night to an excellent Italian restaurant within walking distance. shame this pub could and should be so much better.

Great location we walked along the River to Colchester. The pub was very friendly with friendly staff and a good atmosphere. We had private parking and loved the villge of Wivenhoe. The bed was extremely comfort.

The broken, wobby toilet Seat!!