Heaven with a helipad
HAVEN HALL HOTEL, SHANKLIN, ISLE OF WIGHT
STANDING high on the cliffs at Shanklin in the Isle of Wight, Haven Hall is far removed from what you might expect of a seaside B&B establishment.
Behind imposing electric gates, there is a helipad amid immaculate lawns, while those arriving by more mundane methods often drive an Aston Martin or Bentley.
The meticulously renovated Arts and Crafts house and surrounding buildings contain 14 elegant rooms filled with antiques, chandeliers, superking-size beds and dramatic views over the English Channel.
Outside, two acres of gardens offer fountains, a gazebo, a grass tennis court and a heated pool with lavish changing facilities.
Staying at Haven Hall is like being a guest at a private Edwardian country house.
Owners David Barratt – a scion of the Barratt building family – and wife Arielle live in a wing of the property and enthusiastically play the role of genial hosts. They renovated the house over four years and insist they like nothing more than sharing the fruits of their labours with visitors.
Celebrities such as Colin Firth, Alan Titchmarsh and footballer Peter Crouch are past guests.
Mind you, all this cosseting doesn’t come cheap, with rooms costing up to £500 a night.
Breakfast beside tall French windows overlooking the gardens is a gregarious affair. Arielle supervises in the kitchen while a besuited David hosts, even pulling up a chair to advise you on outings for the day.
And there are plenty of options. Just beyond the Hall is one of the most beautiful cliff path walks on the island, dipping down to Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor. A little further afield lies Queen Victoria’s magnificent Osborne House.
Near the Needles chalk stacks on the wilder west coast are Farringford House, former home of Victorian poet Alfred Tennyson, and nearby Dimbola House, home of pioneering photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Both richly reward a visit. Like most B&Bs, you cannot dine at Haven Hall, which gives you the opportunity to explore the island’s options. And none could come more recommended than The Hut, at Colwell Bay. A favourite with yachties and Londoners down for the day, this beachside haven exudes a New England vibe and serves superlative seafood dishes.
The USP: You’ll feel like a favoured house guest immersed in Edwardian splendour. And there’s parking for your helicopter.
The rooms: The ‘Victoria and Albert’ is the original master bedroom and swankiest of the eight bedrooms. There are also six self-catering suites.
The food: The hot breakfast buffet is delicious, while the side dishes include lemon curd (David’s speciality) and stewed rhubarb.