Despite a very negative first impression we went on th have a very enjoyable, comfortable stay. Upon arrival I walked in after my wife (carrying the cases!) and assumed the very young girl at reception was tapping away on her computer to check our booking. After about half a minute I looked at my wife and asked if that was the case, to be told the girl had not even looked up to acknowledge us. When I then said excuse me; she just replied "I don't work on reception" and continued tapping away on her computer. Just the someone else arrived and took care of us. This lack of professionalism is clearly something the hotel needs to address.

However after our initial minor annoyance, we were shown around the hotel and given essential information by the polite, friendly lady that does work on reception. The building is very grand and clearly clings on to regal ties from yesteryear, as well as being beautifully positioned with far reaching sea views from the terrace and having a range of leisure facilities including a gym, indoor and outdoor pools, a games room and a mini cinema showing evening films as well as a beauty treatment room.

The lounge and bar areas have quality comfortable furniture and are well appopinted and the dining room has large windows with the far reaching views mentioned earlier. Our bedroom was pretty standard but clean and the bath and shower had brilliant water pressure making for a really good shower or a bath that could be run in no time at all.

Breakfast was good (the only downer of it being the supermarket value type sausage) and the staff working in the dining room at this time were without exception brilliant and I hope the hotel recognizes this fact; friendly, quick to take orders and accommodating with requests.

Due to the fact we spent our 4 days getting around to see the sights we didn't get to partake in any of the aforementioned leisure facilities and I hope to visit again and stay for longer to give us a little more "leisure" time to relax at the hotel.

We didn't take our evening meals at the hotel thinking that the set price of £30 a head was a little pricey (check my reviews for a couple of restaurants I did visit in Shanklin, including a great Italian for £12 a head for 3 courses) but heard from other guests that the food was good, so I'll give it a go next time one night at least.

Maybe they aren't getting the numbers through the doors to enable them to make a few improvements to up their rating, I don' know, but I did book through "Laterooms" at a price reduced by about 20% of their own advertised price. Given their facilities, grand design and some excellent staff I would have thought with some updates to rooms and a slight extension of the carpark they would certainly be worth 4 stars.

I first thought that the price of just over £1000 for 7 nights was a bit high but I soon changed my mind, why?: -
The room was large and had plenty of storage
the food was out of this world, Breakfast a good choice and the eavening four course meal was beyond belelife.
I am on home dialasys and had to arange medical supplies to be delivered to the holtel
which the staff helped with.
The staff where very friendly and helpfull.
after talking to friends, 2 couples have asked for details which I have greatly given.
this hotel is well werth a visit, it was built for Queen victorier's lady in waiting so that should give you a clue on the decor.

Found this hotel through the Tourist information details and also reviews already on Trip Advisor. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived the views are stunning, though beware need to be fit as the site is on a steep hill! I have to congratulate the staff as this is only a small hotel the care and attention at breakfast and evening meals was faultless. The food is extremely good with good selection and variety, there is no " live entertainment" in the evening although if feeling energetic Old Shanklin is around 15 minutes walk but will take a little longer coming back due to the steep incline. The hotel has its little " cinema" where a film is played nightly. We met some nice people and being small the atmosphere is very friendly. The bedrooms are very nicely decorated and well clean and you can upgrade to more superb rooms if required, we had a classic for the few days we were there and this was adequate for our stay. Overall would recommend you try and we are thinking of returning next year.

Nice hotel. Clean, comfy. Staff friendly and helpful although reserved. Restaurant expensive and lacking in atmosphere - go elsewhere! OK for breakfast. Public areas a bit dull. All deep-buttoned armchairs; rather formal and stuff. Saw no-one using them! The bathrooms need shelves where you can put your things. The pol and other leisure facilities, located separately from the main building, were very nice. No lift if you struggle with stairs...