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10 of the best places to stay in Shanklin

Shanklin is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular holiday spots, thanks in part to its claim to be the sunniest place in the UK. 

Shanklin has one of the Island's best ranges of holiday parks, hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, self catering cottages and other places to stay. It's ideal for youngsters who want to build sandcastles and eat ice cream or those looking for a traditional British seaside holiday - it isn't the place to choose for a quiet week away from civilisation.
Shanklin esplanade
Shanklin is a classic British resort
It also has a train station so you can get from Portsmouth to Shanklin easily.

For self catering accommodation, you will often find that the cheapest prices are by going direct to the owners, as letting agents charge fees to maintain properties. Click here to see Shanklin properties from HomeAway.

You might also like to read our guide to 15 things to do in Sandown and Shanklin.

Here is our selection of some of the best value places to stay in Shanklin (in no particular order):

1. Brooke House (Guest House)

I love the look of Brooke House - an old Victorian building with a modern, clean interior. It offers evening meals as well, whereas a lot of guest houses in Shanklin leave you to fend for yourself in the town. It's near the train station, so you can get there without a car from Portsmouth (although a car is pretty useful if you want to explore the rest of the Island). Reviews are hard to beat, currently at 5/5 on TripAdvisor. It's about 5 or 10 minutes walk to the beach. 

2. Snowdon House (Guest House, B&B)

Snowdon House makes our top 10 list because of its consistently positive reviews (4.5/5 generally). It's a family run guest house which offer bed and breakfast and free parking. They have a policy of not allowing children under 10 to stay so it will appeal to those after a bit of peace and quiet. The decor is very much a homely 'English guest house'...but then again, it is an English guest house! It's about 5 minutes walk to the beach.
Not sure which Isle of Wight town to stay in? Check out our guide

3. Haven Hall (Hotel/self catering)

Haven Hall has a number of glowing reviews from celebrities on its websites from the likes of Peter Crouch, Jimmy Carr, John Hartson and, er, Gary & Norma. Actually, I don't think those last two are celebrities but they still enjoyed their stay greatly. When I checked, it was scoring 5/5 on TripAdvisor from more than 100 reviews.

It calls itself a 'boutique hotel and flats' and has a mixture of apartments and bedrooms. Some of them have their own kitchens, although breakfast is provided and there are plenty of places to eat on Shanklin. 

The location is impressive too, with sea views from the cliffs over Shanklin. 

4. The Kenbury (Guest House, B&B)

The Kenbury is one of the more externally attractive guest houses in Shanklin with well kept gardens being a key feature. It's not the cheapest guest house in the town but it does have four stars and it has amenities such as wi-fi and free parking (particularly valuable during the high season when parking in Shanklin becomes a daily fight). It's about 5 to 10 minute walk to the beach.

5. Lower Hyde Holiday Park (Caravans, Camping)

I've included Lower Hyde Holiday Park as it's one of the larger holiday parks on the Island and it's a more practical option for families with young children (a lot of guest houses don't take small children). Some caravans also allow pets.

Lower Hyde offers evening entertainment, kids' clubs, an outdoor pool, a sports court, bingo and pool tables. It's cheapest if you travel as a family with accommodation from about £10 per person per night at some times of year. A camping plot starts from about £5 per night.

Reviews are about 4/5 on most sites. It's about 15 minutes on foot to the beach, unless you are attempting to persuade a toddler to walk, in which case I'd allow three or four hours.

6. The Fawley (Guest House, B&B)

The Fawley is a guest house with a more modern interior than you might expect. Chintzy wallpaper has been replaced with a more stylish floral look that is more reminiscent of a show home rather than Fawlty Towers. It doesn't look stunning from the outside but the interior makes up for it and the reviews are really good. Children over five only. Reviews are 99% positive, which is about as good as you will get (some people are never happy...). It's only about a 3 minute walk to the beach.

7. Westbury Lodge (Guest House, Adults only)

Westbury Lodge is one of many medium sized guest houses near the clifftop path in Shanklin. However, it's stand-out feature is that it doesn't allow any children, so you will avoid the likes of my two year old 'accidentally' flicking porridge at you over breakfast. It's a short walk to the beach lift or path, so about 5 minutes walk to the seafront where there are various restaurants or amusements which will happily take your small change. The bedrooms are modern, so you won't have to endure floral bed linen. Reviews are glowing.

8. Shanklin Villa (Self Catering)

There are several highly rated apartments for rent within Shanklin Villa which sleep between 2 and 10 people. Some have sea views. You also get access to a nearby hotel which has a swimming pool, table tennis and squash - meaning you get the privacy of self catering with the facilities of a hotel. It's a 5 minute walk to the beach.

Options include:
  • The Battenburg Studio Apartment (sleeps 2) is designed with couples in mind who would prefer a bit more privacy and a little less room-service than you would get from a hotel or a guest house. It's not huge but it's everything you need (plus a hot tub) and it works out as a similar cost to a guesthouse most of the time, but with a bit more space to yourself. The decor is modern and a bit more homely than a guesthouse.
  • Sea views, a hot tub and a roof patio give the Cromwell Apartment (sleeps 8) the thumbs up. It sleeps eight people across three bedrooms and has two bathrooms. Two people will need to bunk up in the lounge, so it may be more comfortable for six people. 

There are several other apartments for rent at Shanklin Villa here.
Cromwell apartment Shanklin
Cromwell Apartment
Battenburg studio apartment
Battenburg Studio Apartment
Fancy staying near the Isle of Wight Festival? See our guide to rooms in Newport.

9. Ocean Deck Apartment (self catering, sleeps 6)

Ocean Deck Apartment is a modern self catering rental property within a former Victorian Priory. It's on the ground floor but it does have coastal views from the attractive decking area and shared gardens.

If you visit in winter and fill it up with six people, then it's a cheap option. However, it does only have two bedrooms for six people which presumably means two people need to stay in the lounge. Most reviewers give it 5/5 and it's only 10 minutes walk to the beach. It is on the clifftop, but you have to walk to the path down.

10. The Birkdale (Guest House, B&B)

The Birkdale is another one which doesn't look particularly special from the outside but has a very clean and modern interior and rooms from less than £30 per person per night. Some rooms have four poster beds and whirlpool baths. It is in the old village, rather than on the seafront but it's still walking distance to the beach (Shanklin is not a huge town...). No children at this one! Reviews are currently at 5/5 on TripAdvisor. It'll take you about 10 minutes to walk to the beach. 

Related guides from Isle of WIght Guru: