Enso is a CRM-students-operated hall on Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8YZ, rated the number one property in Colchester for 2025 at the StudentCrowd Student Voice Awards. It offers en-suite rooms in 5-, 6-, and 8-bed shared flats alongside self-contained studios, with all-inclusive bills, a free on-site gym, and a landscaped courtyard built using recycled and reclaimed materials. This guide covers the rooms, prices, location, amenities, the honest picture, and who Enso suits.
Enso Colchester
| Item | Details |
| Address | Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8YZ |
| Operator | CRM Students |
| Room types | En-suite rooms in 5, 6 and 8-bed flats, plus self-contained studios |
| Walk/cycle to University of Essex | About a 12 to 20-minute walk depending on route |
| Distance to University Centre Colchester / Colchester Institute | About a 14-minute cycle |
| Bills | All-inclusive (electricity, gas, water, heating, Wi-Fi, contents insurance) |
The rooms and prices
Enso offers en-suite rooms within 5-, 6-, and 8-bed shared flats, each around 13.5 to 15.7 square meters, alongside larger self-contained studios of around 21.9 to 23 square meters for students who want full independence. Every room comes with a bed, chair, desk, wardrobe, and a private en-suite, while en-suite flats share a fully fitted kitchen with a hob, oven, and fridge/freezer, and studios add their own private kitchen. Rent is all-inclusive, covering electricity, gas, water, heating, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance. Studios support dual occupancy for a £35 per week surcharge if you're sharing with a partner. Guide prices for 2026/27 run from around £179 per week for en-suites up to £224 per week and above for studios, so confirm current rates and room availability at booking.
Location and getting around
Enso sits on Hawkins Road, close to Colchester High Street and the city center, with the University of Essex reachable on foot in around 12 to 20 minutes depending on your exact route or a quicker cycle. University Centre Colchester and Colchester Institute are about a 14-minute cycle away. Hythe Railway Station is roughly a 5 to 10-minute walk, giving access to Colchester, Wivenhoe, and London Liverpool Street on the Sunshine Coast Line. My tip: Enso was rated the number one property in Colchester for 2025 by StudentCrowd's Student Voice Awards and also featured on Uhomes' Must Stay List for 2025, genuinely strong independent validation worth weighing against other Colchester options.
Amenities
- Free on-site gym
- TV lounge
- Games room
- Landscaped courtyard (built with recycled and reclaimed materials)
- Study areas
- Social lounges
- Laundry facilities
The honest picture
Enso's strengths are genuinely strong independent recognition, including a number one Colchester ranking and a Must Stay List feature; a free on-site gym that's relatively rare for a hall this size; and a sustainability-conscious build using recycled materials. The honest counterpoint: walking distance to the University of Essex varies noticeably depending on which source you check, from around 12 minutes up to 20 minutes, so it's worth confirming the actual walking route and time from the specific block you'd be assigned before assuming the shorter estimate. As always, confirm your specific room type and current price before booking.
Who Enso Colchester suits:
Strong fit: students who want a highly rated, award-recognized hall with a genuine on-site gym; those who value sustainable building design; students happy with a moderate walk or cycle to the University of Essex.
Weaker fit: students who want to be within a very short, guaranteed walk of campus; those who want the absolute cheapest option in Colchester, since Enso sits at a mid-to-premium price point.
For other options, browse student accommodation in Colchester and read how much student accommodation costs in the UK.
FAQs
Where is Enso in Colchester?
Enso is on Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8YZ, close to the city center and Colchester High Street.
What room types does Enso offer?
En-suite rooms in 5-, 6-, and 8-bed shared flats, plus self-contained studios.
How much is Enso Colchester?
Guide prices for 2026/27 run from around £179 per week for en-suites up to £224 per week and above for studios, with rent fully inclusive of electricity, gas, water, heating, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance.
What amenities does Enso have?
A free on-site gym, a TV lounge, a games room, a landscaped courtyard, and study areas.
How far is Enso from the University of Essex?
About a 12- to 20-minute walk depending on the route or a quicker cycle.
Is Enso good for students?
Yes, it was rated the number one property in Colchester for 2025 by StudentCrowd's Student Voice Awards.
