Steps away from the beach on a northeast corner of the Isle of Wight sits the Seaview Hotel. The hotel is beautifully decorated, dog friendly, and boasts the seaside charm you would expect from accommodation so close to the water (#beachhousegoals).
We were fortunate to be able to check out the hotel this past weekend as we visited the Isle of Wight for the first time. Upon arrival, the Seaview Hotel welcomed us with open arms and enthusiasm, as if we were the only ones staying there (we weren’t!). I was immediately impressed with both the friendliness and the decor. In fact, we seem to be on a roll with hotel decor recently because, much like the Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds, the Seaview Hotel has the coastal vibe that I love so much. Of course, the hotel is located on the coast! However, even on the inside, the tiny details bring that vibe to life.
The lounge and bar in the front of the hotel follow the theme of a Naval Officer’s lounge. They are filled with old naval photographs and paraphernalia, and their windows look out toward the sea. One evening after dinner, we sat in the lounge and played a game of Scrabble while sipping G&Ts and I honestly think we could have sat there the entire night. That was one of the most beautiful things about our weekend at the Seaview Hotel. We felt so comfortable, so at home, everywhere.
The Room
We received an upgrade and ended up in a superior room in the modern annex of the hotel. Through the back door, we walked across the small parking lot to an entrance on a quiet back street. Our room was incredibly spacious and had all the amenities – a kettle, a French press for fresh coffee, plenty of storage space, a massive bed, and even a shower/tub with a TV in it. The only additional thing we thought might make it nicer was a sea view!
With regards to the room, I can’t decide whether it was the TV in the bathtub or the comfortable bed that stole the show. It was pretty great watching The Big Bang Theory while taking a bath, but at the same time I’m a sucker for incredible beds. We both slept solidly our two nights at the Seaview Hotel, and I don’t even think Giorgio stirred the entire night. In fact, he was so exhausted from exploring that he was pretty much out cold by 6pm each night!
The Restaurant & Bar
The Seaview Hotel’s Restaurant is the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, which focuses on quality food for a reasonable price. The rate at the Seaview Hotel is £22 for two courses, and £28 for three. While we did not have a chance to eat in the restaurant itself and try the food we have heard such great things about (it’s not dog friendly), we did enjoy food and drinks at The Pump Bar both nights that we were there. And oh my mac and cheese, even the pub food was delicious!
The Pump Bar feels like a traditional pub with seafaring elements scattered on the walls, bringing you back to the coastal theme. It’s small, cosy, and very laid back. Giorgio sat happily on the floor as we enjoyed a meal and drinks. The food ranges from traditional pub food to some seaside classics – Sean went for fish & chips, but the mac & cheese really caught my eye. We also enjoyed local beers alongside our food – they were serving beers from two of the three breweries on the island.
Breakfast is served in both the restaurant and the Naval Mess Bar. We had Giorgio with us, so sat in the Mess Bar and were the only ones there both days. The breakfast menu consisted of a continental buffet as well as hot, made to order options. On our first day, I went for the Eggs Benedict and Sean for a Full English; the Eggs Benedict must have looked great to him because he got them the next day, while I opted for smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. There were a variety of breakfast options and our meals were cooked well and served as a generous portion. It is definitely worth it to have your breakfast in the hotel!
Dog-Friendly
For £10 a night, Giorgio could wander around our room, the pub, and the Naval Mess Bar and Lounge. The only place he could not hang out was the restaurant. Everybody was very friendly towards him (even when he got in the way as he regularly does) and he seemed to enjoy his time at the Seaview Hotel. However, the hotel room did not have any dog specific amenities (bed, towel, bowl, etc.). In all honesty, they could have them available, but we had everything we needed so did not bother asking.
Final Thoughts on The Seaview Hotel
I think the word I kept using throughout the weekend was charm. Seaside charm, nautical charm, English charm. The Seaview Hotel is just so charming.
I honestly cannot imagine what the hotel is like in the summer because it was so perfect off-season. The property was not crowded by any means, but there were enough people there at any given point to keep it feeling alive. The staff were very kind and attentive and did not come off as bored or annoyed, as many places do in the quieter season. Seaview itself appears to be a sleepier town than some others on the island, which makes it the perfect place to actually catch some rest; however, be prepared to drive or walk a bit to dinner if you are not planning on eating in the hotel.
Additionally, the hotel has a large collection of Naval photographs and paraphernalia on display throughout the common areas. Take some time to check it out if you visit – the stories behind some of them must be incredible! My dad was in the US Navy, so all things naval and nautical are close to my heart. However, I guarantee these photos are pretty cool even without a personal connection!
Our only regret from our stay at the Seaview Hotel: not trying their esteemed crab ramekin! We are looking forward to returning in the higher season, though, so will just have to try it then.
Essential Information
- Rooms start at £95 per night for bed & breakfast. To book, click here. There are currently many offers available, including a stay, dinner, and breakfast for 2 for £140 on Sundays.
- Complementary parking is available in front of and behind the building.
The Seaview Hotel (and the Isle of Wight in general) are definitely worth a visit, so be sure to add them to your list while you are traveling around the UK. Or, if you’re local, I’d say you are definitely due a short weekend away!
Keep an eye out for our Isle of Wight recap post, coming soon! Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a post.
Disclaimer
The Seaview Hotel hosted us on a bed and breakfast basis for two nights in exchange for this review. However, as always, all opinions and words above are 100% our own.
Around the UK in 80 Weekends
This trip was part of our mission to go Around the UK in 80 Weekends. Check out where else we have been here.
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This looks like a super cozy and homely place. I love playing Scrabble.
It definitely felt like home! We can’t wait to return 🙂