Book a stay in Isle of Wight hotels to experience the very best bits of a classical British seaside holiday. Sandcastles, surfers, seafood and stunning coastal walks whirl around the busy harbour towns and Victorian charms of this popular island, which is just off the coast of Hampshire in the south.
Flushed cheeks are everywhere you look on the pretty Isle of Wight: sporting adventures on the sea, messing about on the sand, dramatic cliff-top hikes, or the fresh breeze and a lungful of sea air - the lure of the great outdoors guarantees a rosy hue.
The island is moving with the times, with gastro pubs dishing up tasty modern food and hip hotels on the Isle of Wight catering for a young and demanding crowd. But the destination still appeals to those who love the traditions of the English seaside, and you can't go far without seeing buckets and spades, trays of fish and chips, and miles of sandy beaches dotted with wind breaks. The island's attractions will also appeal to the majority, with country parks and houses, castles, water sports, vineyards and family favourites - such as the zoo and a steam railway - providing year-round amusement.
Hotels in the Isle of Wight are of a good standard, offer reasonable value for money and can be found across the island. The annual calendar on the Isle of Wight, which is also known as the Garden Isle, is varied and includes some hugely popular events. If you wish to holiday during Cowes Week, Bestival or the Isle of Wight Festival, it's best to act fast and book accommodation as soon as possible to secure your room; the island is over-run by visitors during these events and hotels will be in high demand.
There are many towns and villages offering budget hotels, luxury hotels, B&Bs and self-catering options, including camping, as well as a number of countryside retreats with five-star facilities.
Premier Inn and Travelodge are well-known names with budget properties on the island. Otherwise hotels on offer are locally managed and run, and international chains do not offer rooms in the area.
Newport is the capital and home to the island's main shopping opportunities, while Ryde is the biggest town with a good sandy beach. The harbour town of Cowes is popular, especially during the famous Cowes Week. Yarmouth is a pretty town with an attractive castle. Sandown is a good family spot on the Isle of Wight, as it features a safe and shallow sandy beach and an attraction-packed pier. The cliff-top town of Shanklin is quite upmarket and more exclusive hotels can be found here.
Top five attractions
The Needles
Three stacks of chalk rise from the sea off the western part of the isle to deliver one of the most distinctive scenes in the UK.
Fort Victoria Country Park
An aquarium, underwater archaeology centre and planetarium are the exciting attractions within the grounds of a fort that was built on the north shore to guard the Solent.
Osborne House and Gardens
Queen Victoria's favourite residence. Built from her own purse, she and Prince Albert would spend as much of their time as possible in the lavish gardens.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Enjoy the Isle of Wight's unspoilt countryside from the comfort of one of the country's finest volunteer-run steam railways.
Isle of Wight Zoo
A family-run zoo specialising in tigers and lemurs and set in the grounds of a Victorian Fort; it's a must-visit attraction for any zoo lover.
Events
Isle of Wight Festival; June: Hailed as one of the original festivals, this annual feast of music is not to be missed.
Cowes Week; August: Dozens of daily races and thousands of sailing boats make this one of the biggest, and most popular, regattas in the world.
Bestival; September: Stake your place at Robin Hill Country Park to see an exciting line up of musical legends, current acts and rising stars.
