Following a six-million-pound refurbishment programme and with new owners, the Albion in Freshwater Bay, on the lovely Isle of Wight, provides a much-needed stylish, dog-friendly seaside hotel to the South coast of the Isle of Wight.
The highlight is the location of their restaurant the Rock which can’t be beaten. With floor-to-ceiling windows on a promontory jetting out onto the bay, the sea appears to be just a few feet away.
A family hotel with staff that go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Stylish enough for couples looking for a romantic hotel, and for anyone with a dog. Steeped in history, the Victoria Suite is also their bridal suite.
Albion hotel bedroom where poppy has her own bed.
There are 40 bedrooms with eight different room types, decorated in shades of the sea – aquamarine blue, and grey. All are air-conditioned with king-size beds and a choice of pillows. 36 have sea views, and seven are dog-friendly. Mine had a small balcony with two chairs overlooking a grassed area and a sandy beach. Floor-to-ceiling windows double as doors which can be opened. The two-storey building has rooms facing the ocean which have spacious balconies kitted out with comfortable loungers.
Poppy, my dog, had her own bed provided with a fluffy throw, a dog bowl, a roll of poo bags, and an Albion packet of gravy dog biscuits which she ate immediately.
Elemis products are provided in all the bathrooms. Some of the suites have free-standing baths as well as a walk-in shower. Beach towels are provided in the rooms.
As well as terrestrial television, the choice of programmes includes Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The Queen Victoria Suite has the Royal Coat of Arms over its front door as Queen Victoria is said to have stayed at the Albion when her residence on the island, Osborne House was being built.
The restaurant, the Rock has a menu which uses local produce and includes ‘the catch of the day’. Mussels and lobster are highlights. The spacious righthand side of the dining room is devoted to guests and their dogs. Rather than being hidden away, some of the best tables, facing onto the sea, are dog-friendly. With the tide in, all I could see was the sea lapping below as I ate my meal – magical.
The Rock is used in the mornings for breakfast where there is a self-service display of cereals, fruit, yogurts, cheese and more. An additional menu of cooked dishes are ordered at the table. Although not on the menu, the kitchen was able, on request, to obligingly cook me porridge.
The Cabin Bar which serves drinks and bar snacks throughout the day, has a spacious terrace overlooking the green and beach which is a draw for visitors to the area.
A handy dog basket in reception has dog towels and treats, with an outdoor area for washing dirty paws. A residents-only library/lounge, and next to it the music Room which can be hired for private events.
The hotel is boarded on two sides by beaches, with the bonus that the one on the right is dog-friendly, even in the summer months.
A free private mini-bus to transport guests to anywhere they wish within a 10-mile radius. This includes ferrying them to nearby local restaurants, and collecting them from nearby Yarmouth if arriving from the mainland by Wightlink ferries. wightlink.co.uk
If you are driving, there is free car parking you can use.
How much
Prices vary depending on the time of year. From £200 – £400 for two including bed and breakfast. Dinner is not included as owners Mark and Gayle Craven want their guests to have the opportunity of exploring some of the many nearby eateries. A charge of £25 is added for the first night of a dog’s stay, with an additional £5 a night for subsequent nights.
The Isle of Wight is set in the heart of Freshwater Bay and the scene begs to be explored. There’s a lovely coastal path up to Tennyson’s Monument and along to the Needles.
Isle of Wight
Close by is Dimbola Museum and Galleries, home of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, which is dedicated to her life and work. There’s also Farringford, the home of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Queen Victoria’s Poet Laureate which is worth visiting.
Recommended restaurants –
For general information on the Isle of Wight visitisleofwight.co.uk
VERDICT
A magical place to chill out, explore the island or just relax with the added bonus of being dog-friendly, and with staff that went out of their way to make my stay unforgettable.
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