First impressions
The Seaview Hotel was refurbished by Nick and Nicky Hayward in the 1980s, who
documented their experiences in a book, making the hotel one of the best
known on the island. The Haywards added family suites and made the hotel
more child-friendly, as well as bringing it up-to-date, with ensuite
bathrooms in every bedroom.
Seaview is on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, facing north with views of
Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower, and is only 15 minute's drive from the
Fishbourne Wightlink ferry terminal (it's a 40 minute crossing from
Portsmouth on the car ferry). Seaview's red brick façade, seasonally draped
in ivy, is a stark contrast to the white-washed seafront houses that
surround it, and the hotel occupies a good position on a hill, which gives
it uninterrupted views of the sea from certain windows, including the
lounge, room 15 and terraced seating area outside the hotel. The flagpole in
front of the hotel lends a maritime feel, which is furthered by the ship
pictures and boating paraphernalia inside.
Why it's special
The hotel has maintained its child-friendly status but also manages to offer
an attractive retreat for weekenders, by keeping children away from adults
in two separate restaurants.
It is now owned by islander Robert Gardener, who has refurbished the kitchen,
which churns out an impressive array of meals throughout the day, from
hearty bar food to fine dining. Gardener has also placed an emphasis on
service and this shows, with cheery staff who bend over backwards to
accommodate the needs of guests, be it highchairs for children, in-room spa
treatments or some priceless information about the what to do on the island.
Hitting the sack
There are 17 bedrooms and two self-catering cottages. All rooms have tea and
coffee making facilities, television with either a DVD or video player
(there's an extensive movie library in the lounge), hairdryer, bathrobes,
alarm clock and Neutrogena toiletries. I was in room 15, which has the best
sea views and a comfortable sofa in front of a large bay window - a great
spot for reading.
The room was clean and bright, and like the rest of the hotel the décor was
neat, but not flawlessly "boutique", with bits of flotsam like
warship prints, crockery hanging on walls and slightly dated seashell-shaped
wall lights. Far from detract from the hotel's appeal, this personal touch
added a homely feel, and together with the friendly service, makes guests
feel as if they are staying in the home of a close friend, rather than a
hotel.
Sampling the food
There are four options for dinner - an extensive pub menu, the smarter
seasonal menu, in either the more relaxed restaurant at the back of the
hotel or slightly more formal one at the front, or any dish served in your
room for a £5 supplement. The pub menu, chalked on a board in the busy, cosy
bar at the back of the hotel, offers a great selection of dishes for around
£10, including homemade fish pie, vast steak and chips and wonderful
puddings such as Bramley apple crumble with ice cream or custard. The menu
changes a bit with the seasons and it costs around £35 for three courses
including coffee.
On my visit autumn choices included pink pigeon breast with roasted broad
beans and roasted figs, which was superb, followed by grilled seabass or
dover sole among meat and vegetarian choices, and an excellent prune and
Armagnac trifle with chocolate soup served in a shot glass.
Breakfast was a generous spread of fresh, dried and stewed fruit, a wide
choice of cereals and muesli, pastries, different types of bread, yoghurts,
and a tempting menu of hot choices. I had the smoked salmon with scrambled
eggs, which was great on the first morning and less good the second day
because the eggs were overdone, however breakfast overall scored highly and
the kippers on the table next to mine looked second to none. Prices are
reasonable for this stamp of hotel at £6.95 for continental and £10.95 for a
cooked breakfast - my only complaint would be that it is only served until
9.30am, which doesn't leave time for a long lie-in on Sunday.
Access all areas
Rooms 20 and 21, on the ground floor and outside the main hotel building are
suitable for disabled people from an access point of view but are not fully
fledged disabled rooms; similarly the Methuen suite, the room opposite the
garden, is accessible by wheelchair. There will be one room in the Seaview
Modern Building (ready April 2007) that is specifically for disabled guests.
Additionally, the dining rooms are wheelchair accessible and so is the
downstairs toilet.
Added attractions
All Seaview guests are offered membership of the Isle of Wight Sports Club,
about five minute's walk from the hotel. It has tennis, badminton and squash
courts, a gym, indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna. Additionally,
there's a great bird watching spot five minute's walk away along the
seafront at the Hersey Nature Reserve.
For spa treatments in your room, the hotel can arrange appointments with
Relax, a company that brings massage table, oils and so forth to you, for
facials, massages and reflexology among other treatments. Finally, there's
an impressive array of activities put on, such as the "Cook and Eat"
evenings with the hotel chef, Michael Green.
What we think
A welcoming and warm hotel that suits families and couples, and serves tasty
fresh food.
Bottom line
Rooms cost from £120 including VAT and breakfast in low season and upwards of
£149 (without breakfast) in high season, which is August. Packages including
dinner are available throughout the year.
Need to know
Seaview Hotel, High Street, Seaview, Isle of Wight, PO34 5EX, tel. 01983 612
711, email: reception@seaviewhotel.co.uk, www.seaviewhotel.co.uk
