Good value and location but a little too formal for us... - Clarence House B and B, Shanklin Traveller Reviews

ibodge

New Ash Green, United Kingdom

Contributor

17 reviews

Reviews in 10 cities

3 helpful votes

“Good value and location but a little too formal for us...”

Reviewed 13 December 2011

We arrived to a warm welcome, although money was required in full up front and credit cards incur a surcharge. Margi was very friendly and full of advice on places to visit while on the island.

The room was pleasant, although it was smaller than we had hoped for as a double room for a 3 night stay. The bathroom in particular was very small and disappointing. Despite spending money refurbishing the house, the windows were original and heat loss and noise from the road became a slight nuisance as a result. As the radiator in the room wasn't working correctly, we were given a small fan heater upon arrival, which was noisy and a little underpowered, but better than nothing!

As I run an IT business I need a reliable, internet connection and although when we arrived the wireless worked well, we found that it was unable to cope with increased use as the owners and other guests made use of it throughout the evening. This meant using the internet on the landing, which was a little inconvenient. I attempted to address this, but felt my suggestions were a little ignored by Graeme.

The breakfasts are excellent quality and ordered the night before. Although this isn't our personal preference, it was understandable and meant the next morning ran smoothly. Margi was an excellent and attentive host in the mornings, although we felt the setting was a little formal for us.

Off road parking for a couple of cars is offered and very welcome as parking on the island is difficult.

Overall a very pleasant stay, but we found it slightly too formal for us and felt like we were imposing on their house at times. Good value for money and perfectly located.

Room Tip: Rooms on the ground floor are better for WiFi

See more room tips

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

See 2 more reviews by ibodge for Shanklin

Ask ibodge about Clarence House B and B

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

15 December 2011

A few inaccuracies here unfortunately:
our terms are quite clear and advised upfront before a booking is made and again by e-mail confirmation.The payment terms and deposit were made clear to this guest on the telephone when he booked direct with us.Credit card charges are only levied where we are ourselves charged ( as everybody else does), and so we always suggest debit card payment where there is of course no additional cost.
Yes there was a problem with the radiator in the room discvovered only on the day of arrival - compensated by the provision of a brand new electric fan heater as acknowledged.The radiator was repaired by our plumber 2 days later.
The room is typical in size of a B and B where the premises were originally built as a private house, where rooms are often smaller than a purpose built hotel.
The windows in our house are all double-glazed so the reference to "original" windows is incorrect.I don't think they had double-glazing in 1898.
WIFI is available throughout the house and usually works well.However we cannot speak for the servers and in variance to that suggested by the guest our guest room (downstairs) and even use of our own equipment was offered.
The reference to formality is amazing: we bend over backwards to make people feel comfortable and at home, as acknowledged by the guest in respect of Margi's interest and help: and yet a warm welcome is acknowledged - eh?.
All in all , a disappointing review, especially where a free night was enjoyed! Perhaps a hotel next time (at about twice the cost )would be better for this guest!

Report response as inappropriate

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

shaun d

Malton, United Kingdom

1 review

1 helpful vote

“" Perfect B&B"”

Reviewed 15 October 2011

1

person found this review helpful

We arrived earlier than expected from our long scooter ride down from Yorkshire and Margi and Graeme made us feel very welcome from the moment we walked in,allowing us to leave
our luggage with them while we went for some much needed refreshments.
We found our room to be large,spotlessly clean and the comfy bed ensured a good nights
sleep
Each morning we enjoyed a lovely cooked breakfast and we found the idea of everyone sitting at the same table a good opportunity to meet the other guests.
We found Margi and Graeme to be the perfect hosts,nothing was too much trouble from offering advice on where to visit to cooking us an early breakfast our last day.
We would recommend Clarence House to anyone staying in Shanklin and we will definatly be returning. Keep the good work!!!

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Ask shaun d about Clarence House B and B

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

crissiWolverhampton

wolverhampton

Senior Reviewer

7 reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

1 helpful vote

“Fantastic B&B!”

Reviewed 29 August 2011

We had 3 nights at Clarence House and enjoyed our stay very much. The town centre is a five minute walk away and has lots of cafe' where you could get really nice meals at very reasonable prices.The proprieors, Margi and Graeme were very welcoming, the b&b is very clean and the breakfasts are excellent. We were in the twin room (which is the smallest of the rooms) it had an ensuit which is compact and extremely clean , fresh white towels were left every day, the bedding was crisp and white and the beds were comfortable.
Margi and Graeme were very helpfull to us, drying our clothes when we got caught in a rain storm on the second day, they were very ogliging when we asked for an early breakfast on our day of departure and were always on hand if guests needed assistance.
We can highly recommend Clarence House, we have made a booking for next year as we intend to return to experience the hospitality of M argi and Graeme again!!!!

Room Tip: We were in the twin room which was on the side of the house were didnt experience any noise

See more room tips

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Ask crissiWolverhampton about Clarence House B and B

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

3 September 2011

Thank you - that was a lovely review.
However you did get one thing wrong!
We DO have our own car park right next to our B and B that will take 3 cars - to match the 3 bedrooms we offer.Can't think how you missed it!

Report response as inappropriate

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

hev t

London, United Kingdom

Reviewer

3 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

1 helpful vote

“Perfect place for R'n'R”

Reviewed 26 August 2011

We came to Clarence house in Feb and were very impresed with everything about it.
It is a ver quiet B'n'B and the owners are very friendly and welcoming. The Breakfasts were amazing and we slept very very well.

Our room was clean and tidy and the TV gets free view should you want to stay in. The bath room was nice with a clean shower cubical and the room was light and airy.

We are planning our holiday for next Feb and plan to stay here again. We are both under 35 and joked about the house being for the older coupples but that is perfect for us as we do not have children and enjoy relaxing on our holidays rather than trying to ignore screaming children in the next room.

Wonderful people, food, fun and rooms. Best place to stay we have found so far.

There is no private parking but plenty of space in the street outside the B'n'B.

Room Tip: Phone and explain what you are looking for. There are upstairs and downstairs rooms. All on suit.

See more room tips

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Ask hev t about Clarence House B and B

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Lucy R

Stafford, United Kingdom

2 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

“Lovely B and B”

Reviewed 24 August 2011

We stayed here for a weekend in August, and it's probably the friendliest B and B I've stayed in. The hosts made sure we had everything we needed, gave us reccomendations for where to eat and offered to run us to the station. A weekend wasn't enough on the island, so when we do go back we'll make sure we stay here.