Making a splash by the seaside NORTH HOUSE, COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT

The first boutique hotel to open in Cowes features seaside chic interiors with a splash of Farrow and Ball style. The individually furnished bedrooms, some with sea views, are elegantly decorated with antique pieces and offset with statement bathrooms.

Location 7/10

It is situated at the top of Sun Hill, a five-minute walk from Cowes High Street and the Red Jet Ferry Terminal, the latter for high-speed services to and from Southampton. It’s a steep climb to North House but the hotel can arrange transfers.

Style/character 9/10

The cool seaside interiors are a welcome addition to the Cowes hotel scene and this beautiful Grade II listed townhouse, dating from the 1850s, retains many of its original features, including attractive fireplaces. The Library, resplendent with powder blue walls, features Chesterfield sofas, antique furniture and is a cosy place to read or play board games. The bar is enlivened with shellembossed Farrow and Ball wallpaper. Natural light floods the interiors to illuminate the subtle marine colour scheme and artworks.

Service/facilities 8/10

Local, friendly staff set the tone at North House. From the waistcoat-clad waiters, to the smiling bar staff, the mood is distinctly welcoming. The restaurant spills out on to a pretty paved terrace dotted with wicker garden furniture; a lovely spot for lunch or pre-dinner drinks. Tucked away at the back of the hotel is a small heated swimming pool flanked by sun-loungers.

Rooms 8/10

The individually styled rooms feature an aquatic colour scheme on walls and bedspreads but that’s where the theme ends; four-poster beds take centre stage in some rooms while others feature sophisticated armoire wardrobes. Even the Cosy rooms are a good size and some boast views over Cowes. The mini-bar doesn’t disappoint either, especially the delicious treat tin, refilled daily with biscuits. Cosy rooms also include wet-rooms. The bathrooms in the Spacious category are big enough to fit a double bed and feature stylish roll-top baths, double sinks and spacious rain showers.

Plump for Room One in the historic main building, which features an in-room roll-top bath and bold, specially designed Farrow and Ball wallpaper.

Food & drink 8/10

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the Orangery restaurant provide views over the terrace. A starter of mussels in a silky chilli, coconut and lemongrass cream (£8) was wonderfully light, followed by an impressive shellfish platter of oysters, mussels, crevettes, crab and half a lobster (£45).

The hotel has an inhouse forager, so the menu is commendably fresh and local. The coffee crème brûlée is highly recommended for dessert.

Breakfast comprised a buffet of yogurts, pastries, fruit and cereals with the option of an à la carte menu. Oak-smoked kippers doused in lemon and butter and paired with mushrooms on toast and poached eggs was the real winner.

Value for money 8/10

Double rooms from £195, including breakfast. There is free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Not particularly. Due to the listed status of the building, there are no specially adapted rooms, but there are three Garden Rooms at ground level.

Family-friendly?

Yes. Additional beds (£25) or cots (£20) can be arranged. Children are welcome on the terrace, in the Library and in the Orangery until 7pm under supervision. Children can use the swimming pool from 8am to 10.30am and 3pm to 5pm. Babysitting can also be arranged.

The details

Sun Hill, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7HY (01983 209 453; northhousecowes. co.uk). For a guide to the best hotels on the Isle of Wight, see: telegraph.co.uk/tt-isleof wighthotels

North House retains many of its period features, above, while the Orangery, left, leads on to the terrace