Just off England’s south coast lies the breathtaking Isle of Wight. With rolling green hills, sandy beaches and a charm all of its own, this little island is a popular spot with international visitors and UK mainlanders alike. The island has a long list of quaint and cosy B&Bs to choose from, but for something more glamorous there are plenty of fancier spots to try. Here’s our guide to the best boutique hotels for your getaway on the Isle of Wight.
Golden velvet sofas, spectacular sea views and a pretty wrought iron pagoda are just a few of the highlights at this grandiose boutique hotel. Standing proud on the clifftops, the Edwardian mansion recently underwent a multimillion-pound restoration and offers all mod cons in rooms that gleam with restrained luxury. Exclusively for adults (and children over seven) this is a traditional five-star retreat, with the pay-off in the sheer beauty of the place.
A truly unique experience, your stay at this exclusive hotel fort makes a thrilling change from the traditional B&Bs we all know and love. A tiny private island in the Solent boasts 23 ensuite bedrooms all with a sea view, and there’s a hearty restaurant menu and cabaret to boot. A night or two on this tiny floating fort is guaranteed to stay with you forever. Book now for a thrilling seascape retreat with a military twist.
For a magical stay in a place where your imagination can run wild, choose Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, offering pretty accommodation in stylish rustic cabins. Tastefully decorated and equipped with all mod cons, this is a delightful place to call home during your stay on the island. Get back to nature from the comfort and warmth of a bubbling hot tub.
If you must stay on dry land Northbank Hotel is the place to do it, with traditional seafaring decor and (you guessed it) smashing views of the ocean. Built in 1840 and passed down through generations of the same family, the hotel now has 18 smartly-decorated guest rooms and carefully balances low-key loveliness with old school luxury. Sip champagne from a coupe while you admire the boats on the horizon.
These delightful huts make an ideal romantic escape from the bustle of the busy island. In this wonderfully rural setting, these surprisingly modern bunkers are perfectly equipped for a spot of cooking, or skip dinner in favour of a glass of wine in the hot tub. Windy walks in the surrounding countryside are all the sweeter knowing you’ll soon be home to this clean and cosy retreat.
Just outside the scenic hamlet of Niton and not too far from Ventnor (where the composer Elgar is believed to have spent his honeymoon) you’ll find St Catherine’s lighthouse. Choose from three former lighthouse keeper’s cottages including Landward which sleeps up to four. With a shared grassy area for summer picnics and a real ale pub a breezy 10-minute stroll up the hill, any one of these beautiful buildings would make a fine place to stay. Take time to admire the picture-perfect white lighthouse itself, sitting proudly at St Catherine’s Point.
Once part of Queen Victoria’s Osborne House Estate, this beautiful period building has not lost its regal air. The 10-bedroom boutique hotel is a splendid choice for a chilled out getaway, complete with luxury suites and magnificent grounds. The picturesque gardens surrounding the hotel, along with the swallow-you-up mattresses and delicious dinner menu, allow you to wander, eat and sleep like royalty.
No one does caravanning quite like the British, and this is a true taste of summer holidays growing up in Blighty. From its charmingly dumpy silhouette to handstitched curtains, a real caravan offers sheer delight unrivalled by fancier mobile homes. Vintage Vacations offers the chance to sleep outdoors in one of these adorable vans, decorated inside to kitsch perfection. With lovely sea views and excellent facilities, this novelty accommodation adds a quirky turn to your stay on the Isle of Wight.
For year-round planet-friendly glamping, try Tom’s Eco Lodge. Choose a wooden cabin (otherwise known as a modulog), a tiny eco pod, or a safari-style tent to sleep in, and you’ll be cosy in the lovely location of Tapnell Farm. This is a former dairy farm, also home to friendly ex-battery chickens, rescued to wander and peck the gorgeous green land. Whether it’s a den twinkling with fairy lights or a deckchair by your hot tub in the sun, this super green holiday spot is good news for you and the environment – and also boasts the best sunsets over the Isle of Wight.
