The Swan Hotel - After a ?300,000 refurbishment, this traditional old coaching inn has a new look and new facilities, including free Wi-Fi, free parking, a new bar, renovated rooms and a brand new restaurant. With a real open fireplace at its heart, the Swan Hotel's large bar offers fine wines and an excellent selection of beers and traditional real ales. The interesting and varied menu features traditional home-cooked English food, combined with a wider range of meals, with something to suit everyone. The specials board changes on a regular basis. All of the hotel's 21 comfortable en suite rooms are well furnished. Dating back to before the Doomsday Book, Thaxted itself is a small, charming town with a rich history. This can be explored by visiting the town's impressive 13th century church, the 15th century guildhall and John Webb's windmill, which houses a museum of rural life. Stansted Airport is only a 15-minute drive away.

Pheasant Lodge and Pheasant Suite - With a beautiful, peaceful countryside location, in the grounds of a non-working farm, this beautiful lodge and suite offer luxurious accommodation, free Wi-Fi and superb breakfasts. The Pheasant Lodge and Pheasant Suite are situated in the grounds of Balls Farm, a 17th-century farmhouse surrounded by fields and wildlife. Offering complete privacy and total independence, the lodge and the suite are both separate from the farm's main building and both have their own entrance and private parking. Each has their own stylish and luxurious bathroom with modern facilities. Both the lodge and the suite also feature flat-screen TVs with DVD players. The full English breakfast features fresh local produce wherever possible, including 19 different types of sausage. Smoked salmon, posh porridge and luxury muesli are also available. Beth Chatto Gardens and the heart of the village of Elmstead Market are less than 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.

The Lion Inn - An independent hotel with a continental feel, the Lion Inn has a stylish bar, an elegant bistro-style restaurant and spacious air-conditioned rooms flat-screen TVs and free wired internet. For many years, the Lion Inn was a traditional pub. Now, after a stylish yet sympathetic refurbishment, it has been transformed into a contemporary bistro and bar with luxurious en suite rooms. All of the deluxe air-conditioned rooms have modern flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee making facilities and free wired internet access. Some of the rooms have balconies overlooking the garden, while others have direct access to the garden via their very own terrace. Stylishly decorated with antiques and salvaged furniture, the bar has a light, contemporary style. A natural extension to the bar area, the restaurant maintains this elegant mix of old and new. Full-height windows offer fantastic views of the terrace and the menu is based on good old traditional pub food with a modern contemporary twist.

Pier View - In central Southend, with superb views of its pier and estuary, this 4-star (Silver Award), boutique, family-run Guest Accommodation is in a conservation area, next to the high street and a very short stroll from the beach. Within a charming Grade II Listed building, Pier View opened in March 2008 after an 8-month restoration of its original architecture. Pier View now offers Wi-Fi and LCD TVs in all bedrooms, with traditional Georgian fireplaces and beautiful ceiling cornices. In a central Southend location, Pier View is 5 minutes' walk from the Central Train Station (direct links to London) and the Central Bus Station, 10 minutes from Victoria Train Station. The A127 and M25 are also easily accessible.

Latchmead Bed and Breakfast - In the heart of the Essex countryside and 7 miles from Stansted Airport, this B&B offers beautiful views and excellent accommodation. The Latchmead offers free shuttles to the airport between 04:15 and 09:00, and early-starter breakfasts for guests leaving before 07:30. Built in the 1930s, Latchmead offers excellent overnight accommodation for guests. All rooms are recently refurbished, spacious and welcoming, featuring a TV and DVD player, a fridge, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

Homelye Farm - Homelye Farm is 15 minutes from Stansted Airport, Leez Priory and Maidens Barn. All the cosy guest rooms are on the ground floor, in converted farm stables. Homelye Farm is built around 2 courtyards and vehicles can be safely parked outside your room. It provides a peaceful, comfortable stay in a relaxed, friendly and safe atmosphere. The individually styled rooms have spacious en suite facilities, digital LCD TVs. The rural accommodation is also well-located for the M11 and Braintree.

Royal Hotel - A short distance from the M25, Brands Hatch and both Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centres, this hotel boasts a superb riverside location, with terraces overlooking the Thames. The Royal Hotel is situated within a 5-minute walk of Purfleet railway station, which offers services into central London. All rooms are spacious and well-equipped and a choice of double, twin and family options are available. Food is available throughout the day and evening, with menus offering a wide selection of dishes and great value for money.

Bonningtons Bed and Breakfast - This Grade 2 Listed building is set amid landscaped gardens, and is just 3 miles (4.8 km) from London Stansted Airport. Next to a country inn serving lunchtime and evening meals, this accommodation is convenient, comfortable and cosy. Free drink at local pub when ordering any main course meal. All rooms are located in our listed, converted barn, and are fully en suite; each room also has its own private entrance. Free station/airport transfers are available from 07:00 until 11:00, and from 16:00 until 21:00. Long-term parking is also available. Continental breakfast is available at any time in our self service breakfast area. This is especially convenient for those guests that have early morning flights. A late check-in (after 23:00) can be offered (by prior arrangement).

Stansted Airport Lodge - This modern and comfortable lodge is less than 5 minutes from the Stansted Airport terminal and offers 'park and fly' deals. Stansted Airport Lodge offers Wi-Fi access is in its public areas. Transfers from the airport (additional cost) are available from the short-stay orange car park. Transfers from the lodge to the airport run every 30 minutes from 03:30.

Homesdale - With heated pool and secluded garden, this friendly, modern and well-run B&B is on a bus route to Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford town centre and the railway station. Homesdale is ideal for guests wishing to make day trips to either London (south) or Cambridge (north). Both cities are 35 minutes by fast train from Bishop's Stortford. All rooms are en suite, non smoking and have free Wi-Fi, Sky TV and tea/coffee. Continental breakfast is included; full English breakfast and evening meals are available on request. The village has a fine pub, restaurant and post office, all within walking distance. Late check-in and safe off-road parking available.