Nice places to stay in the Isle of Wight

[TheGander]

I want to visit my cousin on the I of W in august, she lives in Ryde. Never been before, I wouldn’t have to stay in Ryde itself as long as there was a bus service there. Any recommendations? What is discouraging me slightly from staying in Ryde is she mentioned the swimming isn’t good there due to water quality, I particularly love sea swimming, Thanks for any advice!

Sea view!! Just down the road from Ryde, my favourite place ever!!

Thanks @queenofnorthsheen . Currently trying g to find a B&B in sea view. Doesn’t seem to be much and none have websites/ capacity to book online. If you have a recommendation that would be great!

St Helens and Bembridge are lovely and not too far from Ryde.

I’ve stayed at this hotel many times, not the fanciest but friendly team, sea views, you can swim in Shanklin, not far to Ryde (you can get the train or bus).
Eastmount Hall Hotel

The Boathouse pub in Seaview has rooms, it does great food- we always rent through Classic Cottages but can recommend The Boathouse if you don’t want to self cater. The Old Fort is also great for food and has a buzzy atmosphere.

We always stay at Luccombe Manor or Luccombe Hall hotels in Shanklin and they are awesome, great hotels in great locations but in your situation, Seaview would be perfect or Bembridge.

Shanklin is on the only Island train line, Ryd the other end but it is the other side of the island. We got the train from Shanklin to Ryde and didn’t get off until the end of the pier, so exciting to get a train along a pier😎

Thanks everyone for your lovely ideas. I really liked the look of Seaview but all the accommodation I checked was not available for 3 days in mid August ( or was v expensive). However I have managed to book into Eastmount Hall hotel and I’m really looking forward to going. Will check out some of the pubs/ rest recommended on here. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

Oh yay! The outdoor pool is lovely that time of year! Nothing fancy but very welcoming. I’ve been there about 8 times 😃

That’s a great recommendation in itself! Think I was lucky to bag 2 rooms in mid August. My first job was in Portsmouth and I never got across the Solent so I’m looking forward to this!

Oooh this thread is making me so nostalgic. I went to Portsmouth Poly in 1979 and lived in a hall of residence just outside Ryde for my first year. The ex London Underground trains, the ferry ride to classes, the dodgy old man pubs with proper mechanical jukeboxes, Burts beer brewed in Ventnor, beautiful Seaview and Bembridge Harbour, hearing the foghorns in the Solent. Best year of my life 🙂

They say it hasn’t changed much. Can’t wait!

Cheers for the tip, from another poster. Local to me so doable for a weekend. Eyeing up the ground room with patio doors to pool. I had a lovely stay at The Pink House B & B right on Shanklin beach after one lockdown. Great memories but East Mount looks more budget friendly.

We’ve been going to the island since the late 80s and one of the things I love about it is that it really hasn’t changed!
Ah yes AquriunLady that one looks nice, right on the beach! Eastmount has a pool as well! Plus you get a cream tea on arrival.
In Shanklin, I’d recommend the Steamer, Waterfront, Fisherman’s cottage and The crab for meals. Also the thatched cottage does a nice afternoon tea. If you’re venturing to Ventor, the Spyglass is lovely.

Oh yes and without totally outing myself on MN, if you tell Jill at Eastmount that one of the ‘Lincoln lot’ recommended it, she’ll know what you mean!