| breakfast is free, and there's free wifi in common areas. set on 4 acres and overlooking the sea, this hotel is in a building from 1870, and is a 5-minute walk from old shanklin village and shanklin chine gorge. amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a squash court, a game room, a playground and a giant outdoor chess set, as well as a putting green and a summer tea garden. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. superior rooms add whirlpool tubs, bathrobes and dvd players, and some have sea views. a restaurant serves traditional european fare. rooms are modern and bright, with en suite bathrooms, tvs with premium channels, and tea and coffeemaking facilities
Heathrow Airport 2 hr 45
Carisbrooke Castle (23 min)
Fine medieval castle and museum, where Charles I was imprisoned by Cromwell's Roundheads. Amazon World Zoo (11 min)
Conservation-minded venue with over 200 species including tropical birds and meerkats. Ventnor Botanic Garden (14 min)
An unusually warm climate for Britain allows sub tropical planting in these naturalistic gardens. Robin Hill (20 min)
Family rides, tractor train, nature trails, falconry and events, plus a woodland tree house. Shanklin Chine (11 min)
Leafy, wooded ravine with waterfalls and abundant wildlife, plus arts heritage centre. Shanklin Beach (14 min)
Scenic recreational beach offering cabanas & boat rentals, with a nearby esplanade of amusements. Brading Roman Villa (14 min)
Excavated Roman courtyard villa with well-preserved mosaics and displays of finds from the site. Isle of Wight Zoo (13 min)
Home of ITV's 'Tiger Island', with exotic animals, informative talks and 'meet the animals'. Osborne (29 min)
Italian-inspired mansion amid lush gardens and filled with Victoria and Albert's former possessions. Blackgang Chine (21 min)
Cowboys, pirates, dinosaurs and fairies in themed spaces, along with roller-coasters and rides. Isle of Wight Steam Railway (22 min)
Outfit preserving railway history via exhibits, train stations & rides on steam-powered locomotives. Sandown Pier (11 min) Spinnaker Tower (1 hr 31)
Landmark tower with an on-site cafe and a glass-floored platform overlooking Portsmouth harbour. The Garlic Farm (16 min)
Home-grown garlic, plus garlic-inspired products and fare in a specialist farm shop with restaurant. Dinosaur Isle (13 min)
Animatronic dinosaurs and 1000 of the island's best fossils in a pterodactyl-shaped building. |
