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4.0
#1 of 5 hotels in Ryde
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Conveniently located on the esplanade this Victorian hotel has unique sea views and benefits from being on a level seafront position. The beach is close by and the shops and holiday attractions of the well-known resort of Ryde are only a short walk away. The hotel is also well-situated for buses, taxis, trains and the hovercraft, so offers the ideal base to travel all around the island as well as over to Portsmouth with its rich maritime history. The seafront position lends itself to some wonderful views from the restaurant and lounges - the perfect place to sit back and relax. A car is ideal for getting around the undulating roads of the Isle of Wight and there is a plethora of things to see and do for all ages. Whether touring historic houses or visiting natural adventure parks, watching the yachting action and festivities of Cowes week, or just relaxing on one of the islands many beaches, you are sure to enjoy the island’s unique charm.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Mid-range
Location
16 Esplanade, Ryde PO33 2ED England
Royal Esplanade Hotel
1,081 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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The Royal Esplanade Hotel is highly regarded for its excellent value, offering affordable pricing alongside package deals. Guests often laud the hotel's grand decor and prime location, which provides easy access to local attractions and is especially convenient for those without vehicles.
While the rooms are typically described as clean and spacious, there are some mentions of areas that could benefit from updating. The hotel's amenities and service generally receive high marks, though there are occasional comments suggesting room for improvement in service speed.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Dated
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Like lots of people taking trips away during these Covid times we were a little bit apprehensive as to what to expect but from the trip over on the wight link ferry to out first foot in the door to the hotel our fears slowly ebbed away. The Hotel is in a great location especially for those on foot as busses train and hovercraft are a stone throw away. If you are travelling by car it’s just 20 mins drive from the ferry. The Hotel itself is from the Victorian era and the rooms that we stayed in were spacious and had large bathrooms with bath and showers. The rooms were spotless and were cleaned daily to a high standard. All common areas were cleaned regularly and dining room tables were cleaned after each guest sitting. Breakfast was served by waiter/waitress who went out of their way to make sure you had everything you needed. Food served in the dining room was excellent. Harry’s bar was a great place to unwind after a exhausting day out sightseeing. What made our stay so enjoyable were the staff. These lovely people went out of their way to make our stay as comfortable and as safe as possible. Thank you. I must also mention the IOW island as a whole. The people are very helpful and friendly and all of the establishments and tourist areas that we visited were Covid safe at all times. A great place to holiday with fantastic beaches.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 6 Aug 2020
Hello Traveler47908665028 Thank you for your lovely review. Great to read that we were able to be a short escape space away to beat the Covid apprehension! We look forward to welcoming you back to the Isle of Wight on your next adventure/holiday!
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It was a cheap break with travel zoo we read a couple of reviews so not sure what to expect We were made to feel welcome right away the rooms were very roomy with plenty of storage.We had our first evening meal in the hotel and was fist class After a good nights sleep even though the hover craft was outside it did not disturb us and the breakfast was very good . Staff were very pleasant and helpful you can park in the street outside its free from 6pm till 10am so we did not pay as was out all day
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 22 Oct 2020
Hello Lawrence220254 Thank you for your kind review. Great to read you had a great stay and really enjoyed your time on The Isle of Wight too! We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
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First impression were ok we knew by the descriptions it was an older building and reception had the covered measures in place. There were various hand sanitisation points located on the ground floor. The rooms however were not spotless, we had dirty towels a toilet which around the outside of the pan didn’t look like it had been cleaned for days. There was no soap in shower dispenser, there were stains on the carpet which looked like tea stains which seemed to be expectable to leave as they also had been there for days or weeks. Clean bedding we noticed and towels are thrown on the floor outside the room before they are changed. The kettle didn’t fit in sink to fill up with water in our particular room but the 3 other rooms we booked it could. There was no sanitisers by upstairs doors and looked like handles and push plates had not been cleaned for days either. The beds were either really soft you felt you would fall out or the absolute opposite in the other rooms. Breakfast 2 out of 4 days was a disaster, partly I think as they have used extra rooms to help SD however the staff could not cope with the extra coverage. Toast came out as bread and cold much like the whole breakfast. Days 3 and 4 was much better but felt it lacked organisation. To be fair and balanced the staff were friendly and even though I think at times they felt embarrassed they remained courteous. We did mention these points to reception however the response was more to acknowledge our issues rather than to act upon it. I appreciate the difficulties faced in these times for business but I would expect cleanliness to be an absolute priority and felt that the hotel lacked leadership when it came to setting and checking the standards. I have been honest with our experience and even though they might be negative the hotel have good staff who are polite and friendly which is a great foundation it just requires upping their standards in cleaning and catering.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 15 Aug 2020
Hello Mattyd1234 Thank you for taking the time to leave us a TripAdvisor review following your recent visit. I am sorry to hear that your experience did not fulfil your expectations, please be assured that we value all guest feedback and we always strive to make a difference based on the feedback we receive. I have shared your review with our management team to investigate and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
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Would never return here. Reception ladies are great, and accepted an order for me as my suitcase had broken. Rest of staff couldn't care less. Even though you have to pre order your evening meal, still kept waiting, 2 waiters were very poor. Had to continuously ask them for water and then drinks that were ordered. Food very average but very very expensive. We had fish pie, cod and chips, followed by lemon meringue and bread pudding, with 2 pints shandy, came to £45. Didn't eat there in evening again. Breakfast OK, but porridge served too cold, was given another the same, when we asked the lady for yogurt my friend was told they didn't have any, however another resident had one so we asked a waiter, he said oh yes we have them out the back as people keep taking them ! He then got some for us.
Housekeeping is not good, beds never made properly, sheets are not big enough to tuck under the mattress, the topper not big enough either, they were reasonably comfortable. After an evening out we were going to have coffee in the lounge, it was only 9.45pm, told they can't serve coffee as machine has been cleaned. This happened every evening, we asked for instant then, but couldn't make that as the kettle was in the kitchen. When asked reception the next morning they said should be available until at least 10.30pm Cleanliness was sketchy, window frames in bedroom and bathroom black, I would havd thought that with COVID closure they would have spent the time cleaning and decorating.
Water in bathroom very very hot, the shower was over the bath and controlled by the taps, very difficult to regulate, either scalding or cold. Dangerous if you have a shower, ok for bath,
The only thing it's convenient for was the buses.
Wish we'd gone to a B&B
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Go to another hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Marketing at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 28 Jun 2021
Hello gerryg559, Thank you for your review. Menu and meals are prepped and served fresh - I see this as an upset for this review wishing a speedy turnaround, but we would like to hold to our guns in offering fresh and the best, and therefore bringing great food service to our guests. I shall ask our manager to find out a bit more information about the breakfast and also your water request as a great opportunity for us to further train and develop our team. Exactly what we need in our feedback! A very good point about evening coffees, totally agree as an avid coffee drinker myself, this should be on offer and so shall ensure this is on offer a little later into the evening for orders. Thank you for bringing this point up! Hoping to sway you to stay again in the future, at present, we remain grateful for your stay in supporting our heritage venue and wishing you all the best on your next stay on the Isle of Wight.
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Booked a two night stay, on check in (delayed by an hour to allow for cleaning!) on entering the room there was crumbs on the floor, rubbish in the bathroom floor, dust on the telephone and kettle and sugar over the table.
Reported it to an very unfriendly recieptionist who told me to walk in the lounge while they clean it again. After half a hour I went over and said is it done she replied ‘ yes it was done ages ago’ - again no customer service skills!
I went upstairs and all they had done was remove the rubbish from the floor, they did not clean, there was still crumbs and dust. I thought all rooms were to have a deep clean brtween guest but given the level of dust it’s unlikely.
Given COVID we did not feel safe staying they so asked for a refund and found other accomdation. Even we getting our refund we were not given an apology. Just told we all all entitled to feel comfortable
Highly recommend some staff training on customer services and cleaning. Especially during this pandemic.
I have never had to walk out of a holiday before and it’s not something I do lightly given it was mid august and everywhere was booked.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 24 Aug 2020
Hello danjames1988 Thank you for your review. Sorry to read that we didn't start your stay on the right foot but hope that during the rest of your time with us we were able to work on your trust in the hotel offering great stays on the Isle Of Wight.
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The real selling point of this hotel is the building itself - a magnificent Victorian beauty with many original features and interesting antique artefacts. It is worth visiting for these aspects alone. However, the staff were also very welcoming and helpful, allowing us to leave our bags on the day of arrival and departure and being very friendly and accommodating in the restaurant. We paid for a room overlooking the sea and an added bonus was the view of the hovercrafts coming and going from the landing station just over the road. The food at dinner and breakfast was very good on the whole.
Less impressive aspects were that the room needed more to make it the upgraded room we had paid for. The fixtures and fittings are in need of updating and just a few simple touches here and there, such as offering water or extra toiletries etc., would make the room more appealing. Service in the restaurant was a little disorganised at times, especially when entering for dinner and not being properly greeted. There were inconsistencies with the approach to being Covid-safe too, with one member of staff (and most unfortunately the one serving food!) not wearing a mask when all other staff had face coverings. And some of the tables were set so that diners were within a metre of each other.
All in all, excellent building and location, with staff who do care about the guests. With some improvements to quality and service this could be an excellent hotel all round.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 29 Sept 2020
Hello Natalietravels777 Thank you for your review. Great to read you had a fab stay at our Victorian hotel and time with our team was accommodating for your stay away. We do enjoy watching the hovercraft dancing across the water between ports. After the university changeover of team, we have now fully equipped our new team to our high standards of service and hopefully you will find this element of your stay tweaked on your next stay. We look forward to welcoming you again soon
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Our room was quite small but the bed was exceptionally comfortable and there were the usual facilities. The staff were friendly and efficient. After our toilet got blocked it was unblocked very quickly. The hotel meals had a good range and were flexible to cope with quirky appetites. The location - right by the sea front with hovercraft arriving and departing and the island railways (former London tube trains) - was excellent. A short walk from the pier where ferries from Portsmouth arrive and a short walk to the shops & high street.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:there are rooms at the front with excellent view of the harbour, pier & hovercraft...and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michael Stickland, General Manager at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 9 Mar 2020
Thanks for your review and pleased to note you enjoyed your stay. The Royal Esplanade Hotel has a prime position on Ryde's seafront and offers great access to all the transport links which is good if you want to explore this exceptional Island . Hope to see you again soon.
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just had a weeks stay here lets start with the good points hotel well situated for visting the island booking done by bobbie including the ferry first class. now the bad bits we were supposed to have a superior room but a room above the kitchen overlooking a brick wall is hardly superior the panes in the window had three types of glass and one of another the curtesy tray had odd mugs. we had to ask for the towels to be changed and still was'nt done by the evening two calls later before matter resolved, the coffee sugar and milk were not topped daily the bed was not changed either during the week we were there. the breakfast was a total disaster book your breakfast slot fine wait to be seated the staff ran around like headless chickens one morning we were shown to a table which another couple were using the breakfast it self was okay but the staff oh dear would not stay here again after pointing out our room was not superior we did get ten pounds off per night maybe they realised they had made an error like the title says oh dear
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Marketing at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 23 Sept 2021
Hello dave_minion Thank you for your feedback. Pleased to read that Booking with Bobby was smooth and helpful including the ferry as a part of the process. We usually get fab reviews about experience with our team and so am shocked to read our team missed opportunities to make you smile during your stay. The rest of your experience does not read to be the experience we advertise and I, like the rest of the team whom you spoke with during your stay, am sorry that you were shown to the wrong table at breakfast and your mugs did not match in the room. We do like to handsomely over stock the tea and coffee space and so am sorry you did not have this replenished fast enough, along with when you wanted clean towels and bedding. I have passed this review onto our management team to investigate further. Thank you again for your review.
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Stayed in the Royal Esplanade Hotel in Ryde for 3 nights. Great location, used the onsite car park & wifi. Had breakfast & dinner and the staff work really hard and tend to your wishes. Bus station, train station, hovercraft, high street & lovely sandy beach all a short walk. We will stay here again as we had no issues and after 6 months at home this was the most refreshing experience. The ferry from portsmouth to fishbourne was organised by the really helpful hotel staff, Alison & Lisa, service with a smile. This was a travelzoo deal with a seaview room included along with breakfast each day and one evening meal with a cocktail. Extremely good value.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 24 Aug 2020
Hello Climber226127 Thank you for your kind review. Great to read you had a fab stay with us here and we agree, a great location for every stay. We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
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I would agree with what others are saying- plenty of positives but not recommended for anyone concerned about Covid safety! Staff were friendly and the hotel is in a great location, food was good value and the room was nice. However we were concerned both at dinner and at breakfast that not all tables were spaced out enough- some did not even have 1m gap with next table let alone 2, meaning that on 2 occasions I was literally back to back with people at the next table. Staff were clearly stressed and overwhelmed particularly at breakfast time and service was consistently very slow at breakfast and dinner. Staff making toast and drinks at breakfast were not wearing masks or gloves, and we saw one staff member remove their mask, wipe their face with bare hands and then carry on serving food and drinks without washing or sanitising hands, including carrying classes by their rims. I think basic hygiene training is needed as well as a rethink about social distancing, and the whole food service side needs a re think in terms of organisation and supervision of staff. I passed on concerns so hopefully this will be followed up, as it wouldn't take much to make a real difference.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Williamson, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Esplanade Hotel
Responded 15 Aug 2020
Hello annabB7131LR Thank you for your review. We have been awarded as a COVID Secure venue by our industry standard and particularly welcome feedback if you would like additional measures met for your visit, especially important for your comfort during your stay. Breakfast can be busier some days than others if guests arrive earlier than expected, however, our team are hardworking and ensure a great meal is served every time. When you spoke with our manager, she investigated and addressed some training with particular highlights with team.
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There are more places to choose from in the Ryde area.
PRICE RANGE
£53 - £65 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
royal esplanade hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandIsle of WightRyde
NUMBER OF ROOMS
72
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