|
 |
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.
Where Is The Cheapest Place To Stay On The Isle Of Wight? (2024 Guide)
You may have managed to get to the Isle of Wight for a decent price thanks to our guide to Cheap Isle of Wight Ferry Travel, but where is the cheapest place to stay on the Isle of Wight?
This guide looks at the main types of accommodation on offer to holidaymakers and compares the cost for a family of four staying for a week in August 2023.
This guide looks at the main types of accommodation on offer to holidaymakers and compares the cost for a family of four staying for a week in August 2023.
Option 1: Caravan sites - good for families
If caravan parks make you think of Father Ted then they probably aren't for you. However, they are a low cost option and some people love them, particularly as they give children more space to run/cycle around screaming. Most of them are modern and also have posher lodges with hot tubs.
There are two main types of holiday park on the Isle of Wight:
Larger family holiday parks with lots of facilities and activities:
Quieter holiday parks on rural sites with fewer facilities:
Prices vary but for example, I got a quote for caravan sites for the August school holidays 2023 and found a four-berth caravan for £779 at the independently owned Cheverton Copse. That's £27 per person, per night at a holiday park with outstanding reviews.
Several Isle of Wight holiday parks used to take part in the Sun's 'Holidays from £9.50' promotion. However, there aren't any Isle of Wight sites currently included in the offer. Keep in mind that the £9.50 price was per person, per night so it will soon add up and isn't necessarily cheaper than going direct.
There are two main types of holiday park on the Isle of Wight:
Larger family holiday parks with lots of facilities and activities:
- Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park (near Bembridge) **Whitecliff Bay Discount Code: Save 10% via this link with discount code IOWGURU10 (expires 31/12/23)**
- Nodes Point Holiday Park (St Helen’s)
- Thorness Bay Holiday Park (near Cowes)
- Lower Hyde Holiday Park (Shanklin)
- Landguard Holiday Park (Shanklin)
Quieter holiday parks on rural sites with fewer facilities:
- St Helen's Holiday Resort (East Wight) **St Helen's Discount Code: Save 10% via this link with discount code IOWGURU10 (expires 31/12/23)**
- Woodside Coastal Retreat (Wootton)
- Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat (also Wootton)
- Cheverton Copse (Sandown/Shanklin)
- The Orchards Holiday Park (West Wight)
- Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park (South Wight)
Prices vary but for example, I got a quote for caravan sites for the August school holidays 2023 and found a four-berth caravan for £779 at the independently owned Cheverton Copse. That's £27 per person, per night at a holiday park with outstanding reviews.
Several Isle of Wight holiday parks used to take part in the Sun's 'Holidays from £9.50' promotion. However, there aren't any Isle of Wight sites currently included in the offer. Keep in mind that the £9.50 price was per person, per night so it will soon add up and isn't necessarily cheaper than going direct.
Nodes Points Holiday Park leads on to the beach at St Helens
|
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park has lots of modern lodges as well as cheaper caravans
|
Can you Save with last minute deals?
Many of the bigger holiday parks on the Isle of Wight offer last minute deals in an effort to fill up capacity, particularly in quieter months.
- Away Resorts offers deals and discounts at their four holiday parks on the Isle of Wight, including Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, The Bay Colwell and St Helens. Discounts of about 25% were on offer when we searched.
- Hoseasons offers last minute discounts at several Isle of Wight caravan holiday parks (click on the 'Last Minute Deals' button). The biggest discount when we searched was 25% but it is sometimes as high as 50%.
- Parkdean Resorts sometimes offers last minute discounts. It runs four Isle of Wight holiday parks including Nodes Point, Landguard, Lower Hyde and Thorness Bay.
Option 2: Self catering cottages
Much like Paul McCartney, you may be thinking to yourself, "I'd like to rent a cottage on the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear."
Well, I generally find that self-catering cottages are cheaper for larger groups, where the cost is spread out. Their prices fluctuate massively according to the time of year, sometimes trebling during peak weeks (see our guide to what time of year should I visit the Isle of Wight for more on this).
As an example, I searched on Hoseasons a few months in advance for a week during August 2023 and found the following deals:
I then did a similar search on HolidayCottages.co.uk and found One Elm Cottage which sleeps six for £1400 for a week in August 2023 (£33 per person, per night).
As you can see, self-catering can work out as a similar price to a typical caravan site (see #1).
Well, I generally find that self-catering cottages are cheaper for larger groups, where the cost is spread out. Their prices fluctuate massively according to the time of year, sometimes trebling during peak weeks (see our guide to what time of year should I visit the Isle of Wight for more on this).
As an example, I searched on Hoseasons a few months in advance for a week during August 2023 and found the following deals:
- Steephill Lodge, Ventnor (£725 for a week, sleeps 4, £26 per person, per night)
- Rosedene, Bembridge (£889 for a week, sleeps 5, £25 per person, per night)
I then did a similar search on HolidayCottages.co.uk and found One Elm Cottage which sleeps six for £1400 for a week in August 2023 (£33 per person, per night).
As you can see, self-catering can work out as a similar price to a typical caravan site (see #1).
A self-catering cottage such as Steephill Lodge can be good value
Option 3: Campsites
Camping is almost certainly the cheapest option for an Isle of Wight holiday, unless you can persuade relatives/strangers to put you up.
We reckon there are about 20 Isle of Wight campsites which are open to all (rather than members of clubs), including:
Larger campsites with lots of facilities and children’s entertainment:
Quieter rural campsites with simple facilities
We reckon there are about 20 Isle of Wight campsites which are open to all (rather than members of clubs), including:
Larger campsites with lots of facilities and children’s entertainment:
Quieter rural campsites with simple facilities
Thorness Bay Holiday Park is usually one of the cheaper caravan sites in our price comparisons
|
Camping at Lower Hyde holiday park is convenient for the beach at Shanklin
|
My advice would be to start by deciding which part of the Isle of Wight you want to stay in by reading our guide (Which Isle of Wight Town Should I stay in?) to help narrow down your options. Many of the sites featured in our guide to 10 of the best Isle of Wight holiday parks also offer camping and touring facilities.
Prices vary according to the size of pitch, whether you want electricity and how many cars you are bringing.
The cheapest campsite we found on the Isle of Wight is called Camp Wight and is only about £100 for a week in August. However, it doesn't have electricity.
Of course, you'll need a tent. You might consider these four-man tents from Amazon from about £50, at the time of writing, if you don't fancy living on top of each other all week.
Caravanners might want to read our guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans.
Prices vary according to the size of pitch, whether you want electricity and how many cars you are bringing.
The cheapest campsite we found on the Isle of Wight is called Camp Wight and is only about £100 for a week in August. However, it doesn't have electricity.
Of course, you'll need a tent. You might consider these four-man tents from Amazon from about £50, at the time of writing, if you don't fancy living on top of each other all week.
Caravanners might want to read our guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans.
Why wouldn't you want to camp?
Option 4: Privately owned seaside chalets
There are various sites on the Isle of Wight where private owners rent out small chalets on shared sites, often at pretty cheap prices.
One big site is Brambles Chine/Linstone Chine in the West Wight which mostly has chalets with a double bed and two children's single beds and in 2023 typically costs £300 - £1000 for a week. Some describe themselves as '6 berth' which presumably would involve two people on a fold out bed in the lounge (hopefully those who go to bed latest).
They are listed on Hoseasons amongst other sites. I can't offer personal recommendations, I'm just going on price for 2023. Here are some I've found:
The location is in the quieter West Wight - see our guide to Which Isle of Wight Town Should I stay in? to see if it is what you are after.
One big site is Brambles Chine/Linstone Chine in the West Wight which mostly has chalets with a double bed and two children's single beds and in 2023 typically costs £300 - £1000 for a week. Some describe themselves as '6 berth' which presumably would involve two people on a fold out bed in the lounge (hopefully those who go to bed latest).
They are listed on Hoseasons amongst other sites. I can't offer personal recommendations, I'm just going on price for 2023. Here are some I've found:
- Solent View (sleeps 4, £955)
- Solent Point (sleeps 4, £1099)
The location is in the quieter West Wight - see our guide to Which Isle of Wight Town Should I stay in? to see if it is what you are after.
Linstone Chine/Brambles Chine has lots of cheap holiday homes
Option 5: Independent Hotels
There are plenty of hotels towards the budget end of the market on the Isle of Wight, generally around Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde (as well as plenty of luxury hotels – see our guide). In November 2022 I searched for rooms available during August 2023 (so, high season) and found a family of four could get a week at Harrow Lodge Hotel in Shanklin for £851.
You can search for Isle of Wight hotels via Expedia here or see our guide to luxury hotels.
One other option to consider is a bundled deal of a coach journey, ferry ticket and hotel. I've seen some off-season holidays where the cost of the whole holiday including accommodation isn't far off the cost of a couple taking a car on the ferry for a weekend (admittedly that was a mid-week break in January which doesn't exactly show off the Isle of Wight at its best).
You can search for Isle of Wight hotels via Expedia here or see our guide to luxury hotels.
One other option to consider is a bundled deal of a coach journey, ferry ticket and hotel. I've seen some off-season holidays where the cost of the whole holiday including accommodation isn't far off the cost of a couple taking a car on the ferry for a weekend (admittedly that was a mid-week break in January which doesn't exactly show off the Isle of Wight at its best).
The Best Western Hotel in Cowes has excellent sea views
Option 6: Chain hotels (Travelodge and Premier Inn)
The Isle of Wight's Travelodge hotels are in Newport and Ryde (see our guide to which Isle of Wight town should I stay in).
The key is to keep an eye out for the release of more bargain rooms (through their deals page and mailing list) and to book as long in advance as possible - the bottom price is generally £29 which for a 'family room' (double bed and two small pull out beds) works out at about £7 per person per night.
I did a search (in November 2022) and found that a family of four could book a week in August 2023 at the Ryde Travelodge for £702.
It's not usually good value if you leave it late or try to book on peak, but it is good for short off peak stays, such as a wedding.
The key is to keep an eye out for the release of more bargain rooms (through their deals page and mailing list) and to book as long in advance as possible - the bottom price is generally £29 which for a 'family room' (double bed and two small pull out beds) works out at about £7 per person per night.
I did a search (in November 2022) and found that a family of four could book a week in August 2023 at the Ryde Travelodge for £702.
It's not usually good value if you leave it late or try to book on peak, but it is good for short off peak stays, such as a wedding.
The Isle of Wight has two Travelodge hotels, including this one in Newport
The Isle of Wight has three Premier Inns. One is in Newport on the Isle of Wight Festival Site. It's worth looking at their prices if you are visiting for a day or two, particularly off peak and if you can book long in advance. Look out for sales and you can get sometimes get a room for £29, which can squeeze 2 adults and 2 children into it.
Bands at the Isle of Wight Festival stay here, so you might end up in Paul McCartney's bed.
The Isle of Wight's other Premier Inns are in Lake and on Sandown Seafront.
When I searched for August 2023 - it came up at £750 in Sandown/Lake. It would be a bit cosy for a week with 4 people in one room, but that is about £27 per person, per night.
Bear in mind that I searched in November 2022, prices increase as you get nearer the date.
Bands at the Isle of Wight Festival stay here, so you might end up in Paul McCartney's bed.
The Isle of Wight's other Premier Inns are in Lake and on Sandown Seafront.
When I searched for August 2023 - it came up at £750 in Sandown/Lake. It would be a bit cosy for a week with 4 people in one room, but that is about £27 per person, per night.
Bear in mind that I searched in November 2022, prices increase as you get nearer the date.
Newport's Premier Inn is on the IOW Festival site
Option 7: Glamping
If you can’t quite tolerate camping (or perhaps you don’t own a tent) then you might consider Glamping as a cheap Isle of Wight accommodation option. Some of the big holiday parks and some smaller providers offer big fancy tents which typically have full kitchens, double beds and the like.
Glamping options include:
Whitecliff Bay, The Garlic Farm and Tom's Eco Lodges have all won awards at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in the last couple of years in the glamping or holiday park categories.
See our full guide to Isle of Wight Glamping for more options
Glamping options include:
- Nodes Point Holiday Park - safari tents at a popular Parkdean Resorts holiday park in St Helens
- Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park - bell tents on a busy seaside park (**Whitecliff Bay Discount Code: Save 10% via this link with discount code IOWGURU10 - expires 31/12/23**)
- The Garlic Farm in Newchurch - classy yurts in Newchurch.
- Tom's Eco Lodges - safari tents in the West Wight
Whitecliff Bay, The Garlic Farm and Tom's Eco Lodges have all won awards at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in the last couple of years in the glamping or holiday park categories.
See our full guide to Isle of Wight Glamping for more options
Tom's Eco Lodge is one of many glamping options on the Isle of Wight
Option 8: Bed and Breakfast
Is there anything more English than avoiding conversation with an adjoining table at a Bed and Breakfast, whilst also eavesdropping on their conversation? Anyway, I looked at B&B accommodation for a week in August 2023 and found options from £809 for a week (that was Sandhill in Sandown).
Search for Isle of Wight B&Bs at Expedia
Search for Isle of Wight B&Bs at Expedia
Option 9: Youth Hostel Association (YHA)
The Isle of Wight has two hostels run by the YHA.
The YHA Totland Bay (West Wight) has 50 beds, whilst the Brighstone YHA has 12 beds. I didn't have any luck searching for accommodation this time, but in my previous searches I found beds from as little as £15 to £30 per night.
If you aren't sure about Hostels, there is a useful Q and A on the YHA website. It's worth saying that most hostels don't have age restrictions, despite the name.
My advice is that the YHA venues seem particularly good if you are travelling alone and on a budget.
The YHA Totland Bay (West Wight) has 50 beds, whilst the Brighstone YHA has 12 beds. I didn't have any luck searching for accommodation this time, but in my previous searches I found beds from as little as £15 to £30 per night.
If you aren't sure about Hostels, there is a useful Q and A on the YHA website. It's worth saying that most hostels don't have age restrictions, despite the name.
My advice is that the YHA venues seem particularly good if you are travelling alone and on a budget.
Option 10: A House Swap
If you live in a tourist hotspot then you might consider attempting a house swap to get your holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight for nothing.
The best site I've found for house swaps is Guardian Home Exchange. When I checked, they had seven Isle of Wight properties which were available for swaps.
The best site I've found for house swaps is Guardian Home Exchange. When I checked, they had seven Isle of Wight properties which were available for swaps.
Option 11: House Sitting
House sitting involves offering your house for free in exchange for your plants and pets being cared for by strangers. The biggest site I've found is Trusted House Sitters - last time I checked there were three 'house sitting assignments' on the Isle of Wight. Obviously, you need to be an animal lover and willing to fulfil owner demands such as daily walks.
It costs £99 to become a registered sitter, but if you can get a week's holiday accommodation for that then it's a bargain.
It costs £99 to become a registered sitter, but if you can get a week's holiday accommodation for that then it's a bargain.
Conclusion
For a comparison, I looked at a week in August 2023 when booked a few months in advance (I searched in November 2022). The prices for two adults and two children that I found were:
- House sitting - £99
- Camp Wight - (Typical campsite, though there are lots of others) - £105
- Thorness Bay Holiday Park (Glamping) - £679
- Travelodge (Family room) - £702
- Steephill Lodge, Ventnor (Self Catering Cottage) - £725
- Premier Inn (Family room) - £750
- Cheverton Copse (Caravan holiday park) - £779
- Sandhill in Sandown (B&B/Independent Hotel) - £809
- Solent View (Self Catering chalet) - £955
