Location was great with our sea view room. The staff were very good in organising an extra bed in the room fir our second grandson to come with us. Cooked Breakfast was very good, some fresh fruit would have been nice. All staff were very nice,cheerful and helpful. We used the cafe for drinks and cake on our last day which again was very good.

The room was very nice although the children couldn't see out of the windows very well as they were very dirty, it spoilt the Seaview that we paid for. Very difficult to open the windows for air, there was a piece of wood left under the window but was very heavy to lift. I think this needs to be looked at and improved. The bathroom was adequate and well presented although shabby and in need of refurbishment.

My sister and I have stayed twice before. I don't bring my car to the IOW so we travelled by train and ferry. The hotel is great! Staff are friendly and helpful. Our breakfast host Gordon was lovely! Nothing was too much trouble and the advice on where to visit in the IOW was really useful. The breakfast and evening meal were delicious. The twin room ensuite with a sea view we had was comfortable. As expected due to the location opposite the bus, train and hovercraft was at times a little noisy but there was always something going on so if you like public transport, it's an interesting place to stay and very easy travelling out across the island without a car. We will be back!

There was some early morning noise from room above but due to the Victorian age of the hotel, and not enough insulation, not a surprise. Also the plumbing pipes were behind the wall near my bed so there was a whooshing sound on and off that woke me up a few times. The road outside and area around is currently under construction during weekdays so a little bit of extra noise There is traffic still going through. We ate in the hotel dining room once. The food was very good. We were asked to wait in the bar or bar snug until called forward for dinner but no one called us. A suggestion for improvement would be to be allocated a table (number given) when first booking the evening meal and being able to sit there from 6.30pm.

Authentic seaside town , everything in walking distance. Souvenir shops , restaurants, arcades and activities. Lovely view out of our 2nd floor Seaview window of Portsmouth, the pier and the sea. You also have the hover port directly opposite, train station, taxi rank and buses.

Traffic /pedestrian noise but this is to be expected if you are on the front - it didn't stop me sleeping. Having to pay extra to park in the hotel carpark.

Huge room, comfortable bed, excellent sea views, full English breakfast included, elevator, convenient location to grocery store, high street, fish-n-chip shops, hovercraft, rail and bus services. We didn't have a car and didn't need one. Free coffee, tea, biscuits and bottled water replenished daily in the room. Highly recommend Room# 60.

It would have been nice to have a refrigerator in the room. The windows could use a good cleaning; however, I was so entertained with all of the action in the Solent - it didn't bother me too much. I could open one of the windows so that was helpful.

Fantastic location if using the hovercraft as directly opposite the hover port. Also brilliant location for the main bus depot making the whole island easily accessible. The view from the the dining rooms was over looking the Hover Port, which at first was a little disappointing as had imagined sea views but, it was actually very interesting watching the hovercrafts arrive and depart whilst eating breakfast. The breakfasts were very good with a choice of hot and cold items and the staff were obliging if for example you wanted to mix some of the hot items. For example although it wasn't on the menu as a set breakfast, I was able to choose poached eggs with beans on toast. Point to mention, the self service toaster (if interfering guests did not tamper with the controls) made the best toast I have ever eaten!! Our room was set right at the back of the hotel and at first we were a little disappointed but in fact it turned out that there was less noise as we were not overlooking The Esplanade ( a fairly busy road) and also only one other room on our floor for guests to use, so there was minimal noise at night from others coming back to their room. Every member of staff made us welcome and could not have been more obliging. Not only with regards to the hotel facilities etc but generally about our whole holiday experience. They were all knowledgeable about transport around the island, attractions, places of interest, restaurants etc.

Although the room was attended to each day with tea, coffee and biscuit supplies being topped up, bed made and the bathroom cleaned, we noticed that the carpet wasn't actually hoovered during the week that we stayed.

Breakfast was good, very attentive staff. Very helpful staff on reception Having travelled by train it included using the Hovercraft which docked just opposite The Royal Esplanade Hotel which was very convenient. Lovely view of The Solent from our bedroom bay window. A lovely short break. Bus terminal also opposite so we took a trip to Ventna through the countryside using our bus passes.

Nothing

You couldn't ask for a better hotel to stay at. Centrally located steps from the pier in Ryde, you can drop your bags off at your room and start exploring the city right away. The listed building is gorgeous, and oozes charm and character. Staff are exceedingly friendly and helpful, willing to recommend places to see and where to eat. The breakfast in the morning was a great way to start the day, with many options to satisfy even a picky eater.

Only quibble would be the sounds you could hear via outside and from neighboring rooms. Sound dampening would be lovely, but I prefer the historical charm and will happily take a bit of excess noise as people go to their rooms and wind down for the night.

Excellent location, historical value, very large rooms with plenty of space so didn't feel we were all on top of each other. Super comfy beds and quiet too. Bathroom was large and room was serviced well during our stay. Night staff were always on hand and day staff were super helpful too. Easy access to public transport and the best coffee shop in Ryde.

Shower doesn't drain well in room 10. Flooded out a few times which required us to use more towels to stop it. Took all night to drain down the hole. Possibly needs to be serviced or looked at.

The staff were beyond excellent from Gordon in the dining room to the owner Mike - they all took such good care of us. All friendly, accommodating. The hotel is a throwback to Victorian days, a little rustic, but the ambience is so special. Our view was of the seafront, our floors were a little wonky but that added to the charm.

the bathtub was too steep for me to get in and out of.

Hotel couldn't be better located: it's exactly opposite the hovercraft terminus and only a short walk from the pier (where the catamaran arrives), the bus station and train station. Quaint old Victorian hotel, apparently refurbished quite recently. We had a small room at the front (so looking on to the sea), with quite a big bathroom (complete with tub). Everything was spotless and the room was well-equipped, including two chairs and a table in the window so you could sit and look out. Breakfast was terrific: staff friendly and on the ball, good choice of food and some flexibility. We did not eat in the hotel at night. During the day you can get panini/cake/coffee from the foyer and drinks from the bar. Comfortable outdoor seating are is shaded through most of the day. Highly recommended for a reasonably priced and terrifically well situated stay on the island. Note for those with heavy luggage: the hotel is a bit of a 3D labyrinth with lots of short staircases and the lift cannot reach every level so you may end up lugging cases up and down, esp. if you go for a room at the front.

Carpet in our room was maybe a little tired and the old-style sash windows rattle a bit; in the heatwave we were visiting in, it would have been nice to have had a fan. But no real complaints.