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10 of the best places to stay in Cowes
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Cowes is awash with property for rent – mostly self catering rented accommodation but there are also a handful of decent hotels and several bed and breakfasts.
Prices tend to skyrocket during Cowes Week when the town becomes the centre of the yachting world and sales of deck shoes and red trousers go into a frenzy. |
Cowes hosts the world's largest yachting regatta
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Outside of Cowes Week it is generally a quieter town but it is picturesque with some interesting old buildings and a pleasant esplanade.
1. Best Western New Holmwood (Hotel)
The views from New Holmwood are lovely jubbly
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There aren't many hotels in Cowes but the Best Western's New Holmwood tends to come out as one of the best in the town itself in the reviews (there are more hotels if you travel further afield). It's certainly one to consider if you want the option of dinner provided, although Cowes has a good choice of places to eat in the warmer months.
Its best selling point is probably its location on the esplanade with unobstructed views of the Solent so you can sit and admire cruise ships and container ships floating past. Reviews were very positive at 4.5/5 when I checked. The Fountain Inn is another town centre hotel but it doesn't get such good reviews (3.5/5 when I checked). However, it has nice sea views from some rooms and it is practically in the car park of the Red Jet ferry from Southampton, so it's not far to drag your cases if you're arriving as a foot passenger. |
2. Mimosa Lodge (B&B)
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Mimosa Lodge is not the cheapest option in Cowes but it is good value for the quality of the accommodation. Its location just outside of the main town means that it offers guests much more space and greener surroundings - as well as sea views for the top floor accommodation. The decor is classy - certainly not your stereotypical British Bed and Breakfast with tasteless floral wallpaper. Reviews on TripAdvisor were averaging 5/5 when I checked, which is very unusual.
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Mimosa Lodge in Cowes is currently achieving 5/5 on TripAdvisor
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3. North House (Hotel)
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North House is one of the posher hotels in Cowes. They've got 14 bedrooms, a library, a swanky restaurant and - for those feeling brave enough - an outdoor swimming pool. It's in a good location, so it'll only take about 10 minutes to walk from the Cowes passenger ferry. It's the sort of place which has been reviewed by broadsheet newspapers and it has decor that would impress Mrs Guru, with Farrow and Ball wallpaper and velvet armchairs. Reviews averaged 4.5/5 when I checked.
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North House was given an impressive score of 8/10 from The Telegraph
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4. Thorness Bay Holiday Resort (Campsite and Caravans)
I've included Thorness Bay for those looking for a low-cost option near to Cowes, as the accommodation prices in the town during August can be enough to make even a superyacht owner's eyes water. Thorness Bay is not within Cowes, but it's only about four miles away. These sort of sites are great for kids, as they can generally run/cycle around screaming without you feeling you are ruining everyone else's holiday. There's also plenty of entertainment laid on for you.
The holiday park is one of four run by Parkdean Resorts on the Isle of Wight. Reviews average 3.5/5 on most review sites. It's worth looking through the individual ratings for the different accommodation as some score better than others.
In our holiday park and camping price comparisons, Thorness Bay is usually one of the cheaper options on the Isle of Wight.
The holiday park is one of four run by Parkdean Resorts on the Isle of Wight. Reviews average 3.5/5 on most review sites. It's worth looking through the individual ratings for the different accommodation as some score better than others.
In our holiday park and camping price comparisons, Thorness Bay is usually one of the cheaper options on the Isle of Wight.
5. One Fifty Cowes (B&B)
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This bed and breakfast only has four rooms so you can expect more attention to detail than you'd get from a bigger hotel or guest house. The attractive decor is probably best described as chic, with a bit more of the owner's own personal tastes being on display. Some people like to be anonymous on holiday but if you want friendly advice and a warm welcome then this is a great choice.
Reviews are remarkably good (5/5 at the time of writing). Guests praise the attention to detail and the personal touch which the host offers. |
One Fifty Cowes is another B&B with outstanding reviews
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6. Blue Winds (Self catering, sleeps 2-6)
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Blue Winds is a neat little apartment which gets very positive reviews and has a rooftop balcony for admiring the Solent (albeit from a little distance away). It's very centrally located, so it'll only take a couple of minutes to get into the town centre in Cowes. Reviews were averaging more than 4.8/5 when we checked.
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Blue Winds has Solent views and very positive reviews
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7. The Caledon (B&B)
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The Caledon has a dozen guest rooms and is only about five minutes walk from the town centre. The decor is modern but has more of a guest house feel to it than a hotel. It also has all important car-parking on site - although do be aware that the Red Funnel car ferry arrives in East Cowes so you'll need to get the short floating bridge which links the two towns.
Reviews are stonkingly good with lots of people commenting on the cleanliness. |
The Caledon's room have a simple and modern design
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Fancy staying near the Isle of Wight Festival? See our guide to rooms in Newport.
8. Onboard a yacht (self catering, sleeps 2 or 7)
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There's a saying that there are two great things about owning a yacht. The first is the day that you buy it and the second is the day that you sell it - and the second is better than the first.
If you fancy life onboard a yacht without having to scrape the barnacles off yourself then you might like to hire one of the yachts which live in Cowes. Options include Ursula which is a 70 year old wooden boat which sleeps up to seven people in two cabins. Alternatively, you could try Casuella which is a much smaller yacht which sleeps two people. She's a relative youngster, which was built in the 1960s. |
Ursula can accommodate seven people in two cabins
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9. Pinkmead Estate (self catering, Sleeps 8)
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Here's a rather grand self catering choice for a family gathering. Pinkmead Estate covers 24 acres in a riverside location by the River Medina just outside Cowes. Quirky highlights include a private jetty, so you can bring your own yacht (assuming the tide is right...and you have a yacht) and a boat house with kayaks so you can paddle about on the river during your holiday. There's even a yoga studio, baby grand piano and outdoor pizza oven. So just the essentials then.
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Pinkmead Estate comes with a private jetty
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10. 42a (self catering apartment, sleeps 4)
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We've included 42a for those who want to feel like they are really in the thick of it during Cowes Week. The flat is above a shop in the high street and is tastefully decorated with polished floorboards and the kind of little trinkets that my wife keeps trying to buy for our house. Be warned though, it will not be quiet on the streets below during Cowes Week so expect buzz and atmosphere rather than tranquillity and silence.
Reviews were averaging 5/5 when I checked. |
42a is right in the town centre in Cowes
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