Royal Esplanade Hotel

Hotels
8 (1220 reviews)
16 The Esplanade, PO33 2ED, Isle of Wight , Ryde , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
Bar
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Clean rooms
Cons:
Limited facilities
Breakfast quality varies
Room size issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.5
Room was clean but some reviews mentioned issues like cold rooms.
Service
9
Staff were extremely helpful and accommodating across multiple reviews.
Location
9
Great location mentioned multiple times in reviews.
Room Quality
7
Some rooms described as basic or small; mixed sentiments.
Amenities
8
Facilities were limited but generally well-kept.
Value for Money
8
Good value noted in reviews relative to location and service.
Food and Beverage
7.5
Breakfast received mixed reviews, with some favorable and others critical.
Overall Experience
8
Overall stay was enjoyable with highlighted positives in several areas.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 21:51

Property Description

Victorian Charm and Sea Views
Located on Ryde Esplanade, the Royal Esplanade Hotel offers stunning views of the Solent from a Grade II Victorian building. Enjoy a relaxing stay with a terrace, 24-hour front desk, and a restaurant serving delicious meals made from locally sourced ingredients.

Comfortable Accommodation
Each room is equipped with a kettle, and some rooms feature picturesque sea views. Relax in a room with a private bathroom and make use of the desk provided. Free WiFi is available in public areas, ensuring you stay connected during your visit.

Delicious Dining Options
Start your day with a full English breakfast and savor evening meals at the on-site restaurant or bar. With a convenient location near Ryde Hoverport, the Royal Esplanade Hotel is the perfect choice for your Isle of Wight getaway.

Important information:

Please note that due to the nature of the Victorian Hotel, rooms may vary in size, decor and bathroom facilities and therefore may differ to room photos. For specific room requests please add a note to your booking.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for £10 per person per night when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 15 years old stay for £15 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 1220 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.5
Service: 9
Location: 9
Room Quality: 7
Amenities: 8
Value for Money: 8
Food and Beverage: 7.5
Overall Experience: 8
M
Monique couple nl
6
Prettige locatie, vriendelijk personeel, maar binnen wel erg aan renovatie toe.
Pros:

De locatie en het pand aan de buitenkant.

Cons:

De kamers en gangen zijn erg verouderd.

2026-06-17 via Nuitee
J
julie solo_traveller gb
7
Pros:

Friendly staff clean tidy hotel.

Cons:

Concerns for an elderly gentleman looking for accommodation quite late on Thursday 11/6. He was ushered out of the door after being you had no rooms.maybe and offer of a list of other hotel B&Bs . H looked very lost and probably didn't have a smart phone.😥😥

2026-06-15 via Nuitee
C
Christine couple gb
9
Pros:

Perfect location. Directly opposite the hovercraft terminal and bus interchange and just 2 minutes from the town centre.

2026-06-14 via Nuitee
C
Chris extended_group gb
8
Pros:

Great location, clean and comfortable

2026-06-14 via Nuitee
T
teegray57 solo_traveller gb
8
2026-06-14 via Nuitee
B
Bickley couple gb
3
Dissapointing but staff were very nice and helpful
Pros:

Cooked breakfast not included in price of hotel

Cons:

Wifi was avaulable but not able to reach our room on 3rd floor. TV remote turn off and turn on feature did not work. Room very cramped getting past wardrobe and bed with sloping ceiling in room 68 very uncomfortable for taller people. Room was a bit tired.

2026-06-13 via Nuitee
N
NIGEL couple gb
5
Cons:

Early check in time @ 20.30.

Limited fresh fruit at Breakfast.

Noisy pigeons at dawn.

Very weak coffee at breakfast.

Small portions for cooked breakfast.

Limited self-service from the breakfast buffet.

2026-06-13 via Nuitee
G
Graham solo_traveller gb
10
Pros:

Great location. Well appointed room. Great value

2026-06-13 via Nuitee
T
Timothy solo_traveller mt
9
Pros:

The hotel maintains the charm of a bygone era while being completely comfortable. There was no disturbance, we slept well and the shower had ample hot water. The included breakfast consisted of a good buffet plus a hot dish to order..We liked the afternoon tea and recommend the red velvet cake. The reception and restaurant staff were friendly and helpful. The railway station and hovercraft and catamaran services to Portsmouth are just across the esplanade - only 1 minute walk.

Cons:

There was nothing that we didn't like.

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
B
Beata extended_group gb
7
Lovely location and staff. Very reasonable price as well. It’s a no frills hotel, but utterly charming for that reason.
Pros:

Wonderful staff

Cons:

The building is a little bit tired, it could do with a little maintenance

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
R
Robert solo_traveller gb
7
2026-06-11 via Nuitee
M
Marie couple gb
3
Overpriced and dirty.. bug issues?...
Pros:

Stayed before and location is great.

Cons:

We left our cases, as prearranged at 10am, but they are not left in a secure location, so we spent all day wondering if they'd still be there on our return!
At 3pm check in, 2 members of staff were discussing the sickness & diarrhea bug that they'd just recovered from, whilst we were trying to check in.
When locating a plug socket to charge my phone, we found "critter killer" adhesives scattered behind both beds, along with other stuff, the "please make up room" sign was down there too. Totally unacceptable for the price paid. I complained to the man on reception at check out, have messaged booking.com customer support and photos.

2026-06-10 via Nuitee
R
Roger couple gb
9
2026-06-10 via Nuitee
S
Stephen couple gb
8
Very enjoyable
Pros:

Clean ,good food ,friendly staff great location

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-10 via Nuitee
E
Elaine couple gb
8
2026-06-09 via Nuitee
S
Shane solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

Very nice staff

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
P
Philip couple gb
8
2026-06-08 via Nuitee
G
Graham couple gb
10
2026-06-08 via Nuitee
A
Andrew couple gb
6
Pros:

Location, comfortable bed.

Cons:

Bathroom cramped, room overhot even with fan.
Stairs a bit challenge for the less mobile.

2026-06-07 via Nuitee
S
Stuart couple gb
10
Brilliant. This hotel is a gem . Loved our stay and all the quwerks that went with it. Staff were great.
Pros:

Old school hotel with fantastic service.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-07 via Nuitee