 |
|
This site uses cookies - see our privacy policy. Ads & links in bold may give us a small payment from the seller, at no cost to the buyer. However, this never affects our views - if we like it, we recommend it.
10 Best Isle Of Wight Luxury Hotels - 2024
Do you need to make it up to a spouse for forgetting an anniversary/birthday? If so, three days on a campsite isn't going to cut it. So, bite the bullet and enjoy one of the Isle of Wight's best luxury hotels.
There are smaller boutique places to stay as well as 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels and large luxury accommodation brimming with spa facilities and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
There are smaller boutique places to stay as well as 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels and large luxury accommodation brimming with spa facilities and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
1. Royal Hotel, Ventnor
The Royal Hotel in Ventnor has had a reputation for luxury for decades and has won multiple awards since it opened in 1832. It has been listed in every Michelin guide since it started in 1911. Its restaurant won a bronze award at the Tourism South East awards in 2022 (known as The Beautiful South Awards).
The style at the 4 Star hotel is 'English country house' with highlights including an outdoor heated swimming pool and a fancy restaurant which offers fine dining (I took the wife there once and she was well impressed). It also does a good afternoon tea if you fancy a taste of opulence without an overnight stay.
The Royal has 51 bedrooms, making it one of the larger posh hotels on the Isle of Wight. There are three grades of bedroom, as well as some family rooms that have space for two adults and two children. If you can afford it, go for a Premier Room as they have the best views.
TripAdvisor customers give The Royal 4.5/5.
The style at the 4 Star hotel is 'English country house' with highlights including an outdoor heated swimming pool and a fancy restaurant which offers fine dining (I took the wife there once and she was well impressed). It also does a good afternoon tea if you fancy a taste of opulence without an overnight stay.
The Royal has 51 bedrooms, making it one of the larger posh hotels on the Isle of Wight. There are three grades of bedroom, as well as some family rooms that have space for two adults and two children. If you can afford it, go for a Premier Room as they have the best views.
TripAdvisor customers give The Royal 4.5/5.
The Royal Hotel in Ventnor is a posh hotel with great reviews
|
The Royal hotel's decor is classic and classy
|
2. Haven Hall Hotel, Shanklin
You won't find a hotel with better reviews than Haven Hall Hotel in Shanklin which is scoring 5/5 on TripAdvisor from 500+ reviews, at the time of typing. It has a 5 star rating from the AA.
It opened in 2017 after a big refurbishment with 14 rooms, half of which are 'suites' meaning they have their own plush lounges and kitchens.
Breakfast is included but they don't currently provide lunch or dinner. Shanklin Seafront is a 10-minute walk away and has plenty of places to eat out. Our guide to restaurants with a sea view may be useful.
The grounds and décor are immaculate and were joint winners at the Wight in Bloom awards 2019 (awarded by Alan Titchmarsh, no less).
It's in a prime location with sea views across Shanklin and the coastal path is pretty much in the back garden. Haven Hall Hotel has also got an outdoor swimming pool and grass tennis court, which all looks pretty idyllic on a sunny day.
It opened in 2017 after a big refurbishment with 14 rooms, half of which are 'suites' meaning they have their own plush lounges and kitchens.
Breakfast is included but they don't currently provide lunch or dinner. Shanklin Seafront is a 10-minute walk away and has plenty of places to eat out. Our guide to restaurants with a sea view may be useful.
The grounds and décor are immaculate and were joint winners at the Wight in Bloom awards 2019 (awarded by Alan Titchmarsh, no less).
It's in a prime location with sea views across Shanklin and the coastal path is pretty much in the back garden. Haven Hall Hotel has also got an outdoor swimming pool and grass tennis court, which all looks pretty idyllic on a sunny day.
Haven Hall Hotel is on a clifftop in Shanklin...
|
...with 14 rooms including some 'suites'
|
3. Lakeside Park Hotel and Spa, Wootton Creek
Lakeside Park Hotel and Spa is probably the first place to look if you want a spa break on the Isle of Wight. It's a large and modern hotel that isn't part of a big chain and gets good reviews of 4/5 from customers. It's got 42 rooms, which is large by Isle of Wight standards.
The hotel has four stars and plenty of luxurious facilities for a relaxing break as well as treatments such as massages. There's an indoor swimming pool and the intriguingly named 'experience shower'. The setting is lovely - not especially rural but it overlooks a 20 acre lake and it is very close to the Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry.
You'll need to get in the car to visit beaches from here as much of the north east coast is inaccessible and scrubby in places. The sands of Appley at Ryde are 15 minutes' drive away or you can drive 25 minutes to Whitecliff Bay and Priory Bay, which are both stunners.
The hotel has four stars and plenty of luxurious facilities for a relaxing break as well as treatments such as massages. There's an indoor swimming pool and the intriguingly named 'experience shower'. The setting is lovely - not especially rural but it overlooks a 20 acre lake and it is very close to the Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry.
You'll need to get in the car to visit beaches from here as much of the north east coast is inaccessible and scrubby in places. The sands of Appley at Ryde are 15 minutes' drive away or you can drive 25 minutes to Whitecliff Bay and Priory Bay, which are both stunners.
You'll be stunned to read that Lakeside Park in Wootton Creek is next to a lake
|
It has the Isle of Wight's best spa facilities
|
4. Hambrough Hotel, Ventnor
There are just seven rooms at the 5 Star (AA) The Hambrough, where it is a case of quality over quantity. Like much of Ventnor, the sea views (from six out of seven rooms) go on for miles. The hotel's attached restaurant had a Michelin star a few years ago. It doesn't at the time of writing but is still highly regarded and is still given a mention in the Michelin guide. Customers give the hotel an average score of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.
Ventnor is in the South Wight. It's a Victorian resort that has more of an escape-from-reality vibe to it than you would get in Ryde, Cowes or Newport. Most of the beaches in this part of the Island are rarely visited by human beings and can be all yours, even on a sunny day in August. The exceptions are Ventnor and Steephill Cove, which both get busy.
Some naysayers might point out that the escape-from-reality also means that there's nowhere to buy petrol, slow roads, terrible phone signal and a long drive from the ferries. If none of that bothers you, Ventnor is a great choice.
Ventnor is in the South Wight. It's a Victorian resort that has more of an escape-from-reality vibe to it than you would get in Ryde, Cowes or Newport. Most of the beaches in this part of the Island are rarely visited by human beings and can be all yours, even on a sunny day in August. The exceptions are Ventnor and Steephill Cove, which both get busy.
Some naysayers might point out that the escape-from-reality also means that there's nowhere to buy petrol, slow roads, terrible phone signal and a long drive from the ferries. If none of that bothers you, Ventnor is a great choice.
The Hambrough Hotel in Ventnor is a small hotel with sea views
|
Ventnor is a quirky seaside town on a steep hill
|
5. Seaview Hotel
Unsurprisingly, the Seaview Hotel is in pretty (and quite posh) Seaview. There are several good beaches within walking distance including the paradisaical Priory Bay.
It's another of the Isle of Wight's luxurious boutique hotels with about a dozen rooms, some of which are modern and some are more eclectic. The restaurant has won several Michelin Bib Gourmands, which is an award for good value posh nosh. It's called Aquitania and also features in the Michelin Guide.
At the time of writing, the 3 Star hotel scores an impressive 4.5/5 from reviewers on TripAdvisor.
Seaview is in the East Wight, which sits somewhere between the remoteness of the South Wight and the more towny feel of Ryde and Newport. Much like nearby Bembridge, it is not too far from civilisation but it still has a strong holiday feel to it.
It's another of the Isle of Wight's luxurious boutique hotels with about a dozen rooms, some of which are modern and some are more eclectic. The restaurant has won several Michelin Bib Gourmands, which is an award for good value posh nosh. It's called Aquitania and also features in the Michelin Guide.
At the time of writing, the 3 Star hotel scores an impressive 4.5/5 from reviewers on TripAdvisor.
Seaview is in the East Wight, which sits somewhere between the remoteness of the South Wight and the more towny feel of Ryde and Newport. Much like nearby Bembridge, it is not too far from civilisation but it still has a strong holiday feel to it.
The Seaview Hotel has about a dozen rooms...
|
...and it's near to pretty beaches such as Priory Bay
|
6. Bembridge Coast Hotel
**Special Offer: Return car ferry for £60 or less when staying at Bembridge Coast Hotel**
Bembridge Coast Hotel is not perhaps quite as 'luxurious' as some others in this list (it has 3 AA stars rather than 4 stars or 5 stars) but I've included it because of its range of facilities and its enviable seafront location overlooking the Solent in the lovely village of Bembridge. Customers give an average review score of 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
A stay includes 'archery, cross bow, pistol and rifle shooting, pitch & putt, tennis, French boules, mini putting, walks and talks, indoor and outdoor bowls'. There's also a leisure club with an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and gym and there is a big discount on the Isle of Wight ferry if you book through them. Bembridge Coast is one of two Warner Leisure Hotels on the Isle of Wight (the other being Norton Grange in Yarmouth). Warner hotels don't allow children and they tend to be particularly popular with older visitors.
See our comparison guide of Warner's Bembridge Coast Hotel and Norton Grange Coastal Village
A stay includes 'archery, cross bow, pistol and rifle shooting, pitch & putt, tennis, French boules, mini putting, walks and talks, indoor and outdoor bowls'. There's also a leisure club with an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and gym and there is a big discount on the Isle of Wight ferry if you book through them. Bembridge Coast is one of two Warner Leisure Hotels on the Isle of Wight (the other being Norton Grange in Yarmouth). Warner hotels don't allow children and they tend to be particularly popular with older visitors.
See our comparison guide of Warner's Bembridge Coast Hotel and Norton Grange Coastal Village
Bembridge Coast Hotel has lovely grounds...
|
...and it leads directly onto the beach at Bembridge
|
7. George Hotel, Yarmouth
This 17th century luxury townhouse is in a fabulous town centre location, with the Solent pretty much in the back garden. The George Hotel is metres from Yarmouth Castle and the Wightlink ferry so it is a busy spot. There are 19 rooms at the 3 Star hotel, which scores 3.5/5 from customers on TripAdvisor. It describes itself as a 'Hotel and Beach Club'.
The bedrooms come in various grades with the best ones having a terrace overlooking Yarmouth Pier. They also have a family room.
The Hotel's attached 'brasserie' is called The Conservatory. It's another one which features in the Michelin Guide.
In case you care, Pippa Middleton visited The George a while ago which was covered with a forensic level of detail by the Daily Mail. Presumably she liked the royal name.
You may have also seen The George on a Channel 5 series called Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South in 2023. It featured the owner showing off his collection of paintings of people called George and a young waiter trying to serve champers to posh people on a boat.
The bedrooms come in various grades with the best ones having a terrace overlooking Yarmouth Pier. They also have a family room.
The Hotel's attached 'brasserie' is called The Conservatory. It's another one which features in the Michelin Guide.
In case you care, Pippa Middleton visited The George a while ago which was covered with a forensic level of detail by the Daily Mail. Presumably she liked the royal name.
You may have also seen The George on a Channel 5 series called Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South in 2023. It featured the owner showing off his collection of paintings of people called George and a young waiter trying to serve champers to posh people on a boat.
Views from The George towards Yarmouth Pier
|
The George featured on a Channel 5 series in 2023, along with lots of men in red trousers
|
Fancy staying near the Isle of Wight Festival? See our guide to rooms in Newport.
8. Luccombe Hall Hotel, near Shanklin
Luccombe Hall Hotel is an excellent choice if you want a family-friendly hotel with sea views and plenty of facilities. There are 29 bedrooms in total, which is mid-sized by Isle of Wight standards.
It won ‘Best Hotel Experience’ at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022 as it offers a bit more than just a room and a kettle.
There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as a hot tub and sauna. There’s also a games room with air hockey, table tennis and pool. The hotel's restaurant is called the Grand View for reasons that you can figure out for yourself. They also do an early tea that is popular with families like mine whose children get hungry just after lunch.
Some of the posher rooms at Luccombe Hall Hotel have private balconies while others have a private little garden area with a hot tub. Most bedrooms have a sea view of some sort.
It’s not far from Shanklin, which has a long sandy beach and seafront minigolf. Luccombe has its own beach but it’s not possible to access it directly from the hotel now, due to landslides in recent years.
Customers give Luccombe Hall Hotel 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
It won ‘Best Hotel Experience’ at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022 as it offers a bit more than just a room and a kettle.
There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as a hot tub and sauna. There’s also a games room with air hockey, table tennis and pool. The hotel's restaurant is called the Grand View for reasons that you can figure out for yourself. They also do an early tea that is popular with families like mine whose children get hungry just after lunch.
Some of the posher rooms at Luccombe Hall Hotel have private balconies while others have a private little garden area with a hot tub. Most bedrooms have a sea view of some sort.
It’s not far from Shanklin, which has a long sandy beach and seafront minigolf. Luccombe has its own beach but it’s not possible to access it directly from the hotel now, due to landslides in recent years.
Customers give Luccombe Hall Hotel 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
Some rooms at Luccombe Hall Hotel have balconies with sea views...
|
...and it has indoor and outdoor swimming pools
|
9. Foresters Hall, Cowes (formerly North House)
Cowes is one of my favourite places on the Isle of Wight, particularly during Cowes Week when it becomes overwhelmed with red trousers and the supermarkets sell out of ice cubes and Pimms. Cowes certainly isn't as quiet and picturesque as the South Wight (Ventnor, Bonchurch) or West Wight (Yarmouth, Brighstone) but it does have a nice yachty feel and a pleasant esplanade walk.
Foresters Hall is a modest-sized hotel in the town centre with 14 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. It got a decent score of 8/10 when it featured in the Telegraph whilst TripAdvisor customers give it 4.5/5 at the time of writing.
There's a restaurant at the hotel, or you can just get B&B and dine out in Cowes, which has a better-than-average range of pubs and restaurants.
Foresters Hall is a modest-sized hotel in the town centre with 14 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. It got a decent score of 8/10 when it featured in the Telegraph whilst TripAdvisor customers give it 4.5/5 at the time of writing.
There's a restaurant at the hotel, or you can just get B&B and dine out in Cowes, which has a better-than-average range of pubs and restaurants.
Foresters Hall in Cowes has 'cosy' 'comfy' and 'spacious' rooms, which is also how I describe my range of trousers
10. Albert Cottage Hotel, East Cowes
Albert Cottage Hotel was part of the Osborne House estate, so you'd expect it to be one of the luxury Isle of Wight hotels. It is relatively small with 10 bedrooms, but it has two acres of land and it tends to be popular as an Isle of Wight wedding venue. I'd class the Albert Cottage as a hotel because it has room service and a restaurant.
They also do ferry discounts for guests if you book through them.
Reviews average 4/5.
It's particularly convenient if you want to visit Osborne House or the golf course next door.
They also do ferry discounts for guests if you book through them.
Reviews average 4/5.
It's particularly convenient if you want to visit Osborne House or the golf course next door.
Albert Cottage Hotel is next door to Osborne House
11. Koala Cottage, Godshill
Koala Cottage is more of a guest house or a B&B than a hotel. There are only three suites, and it doesn't offer evening meals.
However, at the time of writing it has five stars from the AA and 5/5 on TripAdvisor.
The décor is described as 'opulent' and a stay is described as an 'experience'. The breakfast menu uses mostly local and organic ingredients. I wouldn't think the Coco Pops are locally sourced though.
However, at the time of writing it has five stars from the AA and 5/5 on TripAdvisor.
The décor is described as 'opulent' and a stay is described as an 'experience'. The breakfast menu uses mostly local and organic ingredients. I wouldn't think the Coco Pops are locally sourced though.
Koala Cottage only has three rooms but it gets outstanding reviews
12. Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, Wootton Creek
OK, this one isn't a hotel but the modern self-catering lodges, hot tubs, shingly beach and woodland walks at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat will appeal to couples. It's a good option if you are looking for a luxury holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight but you want a bit of privacy. As well as the lodge facilities, there is also an air-conditioned gym and restaurant.
There's an adjacent holiday park that is run by the same company which is called Woodside Coastal Retreat which has fewer facilities but is closer to the beach. You can use the facilities regardless of which park you choose.
The site has had various uses over the years, including the venue for the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival, a Warner's Holiday Park and a naturist camp. Visitors are now requested to keep their clothes on. Reviews average 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
If you have time on your hands you could read the blog about our visit to Woodside Coastal Retreat.
There's an adjacent holiday park that is run by the same company which is called Woodside Coastal Retreat which has fewer facilities but is closer to the beach. You can use the facilities regardless of which park you choose.
The site has had various uses over the years, including the venue for the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival, a Warner's Holiday Park and a naturist camp. Visitors are now requested to keep their clothes on. Reviews average 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
If you have time on your hands you could read the blog about our visit to Woodside Coastal Retreat.
Woodside Coastal Retreat and Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat are next to a shingly beach
13. Villa Rothsay Hotel, Cowes
I generally consider a hotel to be somewhere which offers breakfast and evening meals, so I had excluded Villa Rothsay. I thought of it as more of a guest house.
However, I noticed recently that they were offering evening meals in their drawing room, so we've given them a promotion.
Villa Rothsay is a couple of minutes from the seafront in Cowes, which is the Isle of Wight's yachting capital. It has good views of the Solent from some rooms, which adds to the appeal. The view from Cowes is one of my favourites on the Isle of Wight as it's constantly changing.
There are 14 bedrooms, some of which have a sea view.
The building has plenty of history about it, with Edward VII amongst previous visitors when he was the Prince of Wales.
However, I noticed recently that they were offering evening meals in their drawing room, so we've given them a promotion.
Villa Rothsay is a couple of minutes from the seafront in Cowes, which is the Isle of Wight's yachting capital. It has good views of the Solent from some rooms, which adds to the appeal. The view from Cowes is one of my favourites on the Isle of Wight as it's constantly changing.
There are 14 bedrooms, some of which have a sea view.
The building has plenty of history about it, with Edward VII amongst previous visitors when he was the Prince of Wales.
Villa Rothsay has 14 rooms and is a couple of minutes walk from the seafront
Looking for something a bit cheaper? Try our Isle of Wight holiday park guide
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ All the information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check details directly - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate. Here's our full disclaimer. Review scores checked October 2023.
