| featuring en suite bathrooms, the relaxed rooms offer free wi-fi, flat-screen tvs, and tea and coffeemaking facilities; some add sea views. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 10:00 am. this casual hotel in a stately victorian building is an 11-minute walk from the ryde pier head ferry terminal and 7 miles from osborne house. there's an informal restaurant, plus an airy lounge, and a wood-panelled bar with a fireplace, as well as a pool table
Heathrow Airport 2 hr 28
Clarence Pier (14 min)
Seasonal rides and high-ropes aerial challenge course plus year-round arcades and indoor playground. The D-Day Story (27 min)
D-Day story told through archive films, landing craft, weapons and the 83-metre Overlord Embroidery. Southsea Castle (30 min)
Naval and archaeological exhibits plus interactive schools' tours in Henry VIII's moated castle. Portchester Castle (1 hr 30)
Commanding castle crucial to Solent defences for centuries, with audio-tours and picnic space. Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth (23 min)
Local fish, sharks and rays, tropical species in an ocean display, plus underwater viewing tunnel. Osborne (17 min)
Italian-inspired mansion amid lush gardens and filled with Victoria and Albert's former possessions. The Garlic Farm (13 min)
Home-grown garlic, plus garlic-inspired products and fare in a specialist farm shop with restaurant. HMS Warrior (39 min)
Britain's first iron-hulled, armoured warship and pride of the fleet with an on-site visitor centre. Robin Hill (18 min)
Family rides, tractor train, nature trails, falconry and events, plus a woodland tree house. The Royal Navy Submarine Museum (35 min)
Waterfront collection of 3 submarines, science dsiplays and guided tours of HMS Alliance. Isle of Wight Zoo (15 min)
Home of ITV's 'Tiger Island', with exotic animals, informative talks and 'meet the animals'. Carisbrooke Castle (24 min)
Fine medieval castle and museum, where Charles I was imprisoned by Cromwell's Roundheads. Dinosaur Isle (16 min)
Animatronic dinosaurs and 1000 of the island's best fossils in a pterodactyl-shaped building. Mary Rose Museum (42 min)
Museum for 16th-century Tudor warship, & King Henry VIII's favourite, built in 1510 & sunk in 1545. Isle of Wight Steam Railway (12 min)
Outfit preserving railway history via exhibits, train stations & rides on steam-powered locomotives. | 
