There are a number of hotels in chelmsford, most recently built is the Travelodge. I haven't stayed here but my friends came down for my birthday last week and paid £55 for a Friday night stay and said it was perfectly pleasant. There is also the Atlantic Hotel on New Street which is probably the best hotel and lots of business people stay here. It has it's own gym as well as a delicious restaurant called the New Street Brasserie - you can eat here even if you are not staying at the hotel and i would recommend it. The County Hotel on Dukes Street is four star but looks quite shabby on the outside although it does benefit from it's own car park. The dining areas are a popular meeting place for business people from all over. Just out of town is the Miami Hotel which again looks quite shabby although i have never been there myself. The South Lodge hotel is near to the Miami Hotel and has welcoming staff and a lovely restaurant although unless you are staying at the hotel you probably wouldn't think to go there as it is off the beaten track. If you're looking for somewhere convenient to stay for the centre of town i would recommend The Saracens Head Hotel. Rooms are quite reasonable although be warned that as they are above a bar/restaurant on Friday or Saturday night it could be quite noisy but great for if you are out on the town anyway!