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

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