I’m off again. I’d only been home six days, and it was time to pack. Just a small weekend bag this time as I’m travelling to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
To get to the Isle of Wight, you will need to take the ferry. There are several options. You can go from Southampton to East Cowes, Portsmouth to Fishbourne, and the one I used from Lymington to Yarmouth on Wightlink. Details of the ferry service are here. This, I find, is the most convenient from where I live, though you do have to cross the island to get to Bembridge, but it’s a pleasant trip.
%20(1).jpg)
My husband used to do all the driving, so I was a bit anxious, thinking about driving onto the ferry, but it was fine. When you book with Warners, they give you ferry options. I’d advise you to book with them as it’s much cheaper than booking directly.
It is not strictly true to say this is a solo trip as I am meeting friends there for a pre-Christmas get-together. It’s from Friday to Monday, three nights, in December. But I’m not sharing a room, and there’s no single supplement. There will be more about this later.
I must explain: Warners hotels are a bit like cruise ships on land. Adults only. There is entertainment, very good food, and sports activities. As you drive in, you will be greeted by a staff member.
Give your reservation number and name, and you will receive a pack with details of your weekend. It includes your key, charge card and Entertainment guide. If you haven’t completed your online check-in, you will need to go to reception to register a credit or debit card. The staff will tell you where to park. Access to rooms is from 3 pm. I was upgraded to a sea-view room in the main hotel. The weather wasn’t great, but it's still nice to have a view.
%20(1).jpg)
The hotel is set on 23 acres on the east coast. It was once owned by George V’s Lord in Waiting, and according to Warner's website, the Queen Mother used to come here during Cowes week to watch the yacht racing.
There are several types of rooms: standard, signature, Royale, and suites. I had a standard room and had no complaints. It had everything I needed: TV, wifi, ensuite bathroom, large comfortable bed, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, safe, telephone and armchairs.
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
Bathroom, with a shower. There are some disabled-friendly rooms on the ground floor with walk-in showers, but these get booked quickly.
I've stayed here before with my husband, and we had a signature room. Here, you have a fridge, fresh milk, water, several snacks, fluffy white robes, upgraded bedding, and Temple Spa toiletries - very nice rooms. I poked my head into a Royale suite when it was being cleaned. It was huge, had separate living and dressing areas, and looked very posh. I’m sure all these extras will put the price up a lot.
I must explain. You need to do your homework. I booked this for my friends, two of them also widows. Now, we don't want to share a room with anyone, we like our own space and freedom to do as we please. You have to search through the website, find a suitable date, and apply the system with the occupation of one.
It may come up with a price double the per-person rate, but it may come up with a price for one person, no increase. Generally, the availability and charging for one person is available very frequently at Bembridge.
.jpg)
Here is an excellent offer at Bembridge for one in February. Any of these dates offer fantastic value. It includes bed and breakfast and evening meals. Current when searching, Prices may change.
%20(1).jpg)
The price hasn’t quite doubled for one person, but double occupancy is £199, £179, and £359 per person, so as a single, you would not be getting that marvellous sole occupancy rate as illustrated at Bembridge. It’s still substantially reduced from the double rate.
For example, £622 for 16th Feb sole occupancy and £718 for double occupancy. So just go through the website, change the guest box from 2 to 1, and see if you are paying more for one person. It’s marvellous and a great reasonable weekend away if you can get the rate. Prices may change.
I paid £195 for the weekend. Considering it was getting close to Christmas, it was a brilliant price. I had a room on my own for three nights. Breakfast and evening meals. The entertainment and the return ferry. It was a bargain, and we had so much fun.
I'm saving my Tesco club card vouchers, which can be used for Warners, but watch the terms and conditions and expiry date. Previously, I had £15 of Tesco vouchers, which I’ve converted into £45 to use against a Warners holiday.
Despite having little knowledge about it, we decided to try something new by signing up for indoor bowls. It turned out to be a great decision! We caught on quickly and found ourselves getting quite competitive. Eventually, we split into two teams.
What surprised us the most was how much we enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun but doubled as a good workout, all that walking up and down.
.jpg)
We also played table tennis, pool and they had various board games and cards. There is a small gym, swimming pool, sauna and steam room. A small cinema. Outside, the grounds are beautiful. You can do archery and rifle shooting.
On Saturday the weather was lovely. There are plenty of walks to take advantage of. We walked to the very pleasant village of Bembridge, passing the National Trust Bembridge windmill.
%20(1).jpg)
We continued, had a snack and coffee in the village, and returned via the coast, stopping at the RNLI boat station. There are frequent tours from Warners to the Bembridge boat station. It’s very interesting, and of course, donations are appreciated. Two of our group decided to use the buses to explore other parts of the island. They said the buses were hourly, and you can get a timetable from reception.
%20(1).jpg)
Within your package, you will have a Weekend Entertainment Guide. It will list everything that is on during your stay. We kicked off at 4.30 because that is Happy Hour - 20% off all drinks. Dinner was at 6.30, then we'd continue the evening in the Admirals Club. This large venue hosts different activities throughout the day, like quizzes and line dancing, and an artist, singer, or band in the evening. We particularly wanted to see Elvis, well, who wouldn’t? He was great. He certainly had all the moves.
The next night, there was a popular band called The Firebirds. They had quite a following for their 50s and 60s music. I spoke to one rock and roll couple, and they said they follow the band, booking up a Warners hotel wherever the band is playing. They were all really good, the band and all the rock and rollers.
.jpg)
I don't know if anyone here has read my previous article on MSC Euribia, a fabulous ship I disembarked a week ago. In that article, I mentioned the food, and it was just OK. I know maybe I shouldn’t compare, but it's still fresh in my mind.
Here, at Warners, Bembridge, the food is fantastic - an amazing selection. There’s always a roast joint, fresh vegetables, great starters and sweets. Generally, there is a buffet, but you can have table service if you wish, as some items are cooked to order. Or, some of our ravenous group had both, it was excellent.
We had the same waitress for breakfast and dinner. She was very attentive, checking on us all the time. We gave her a nice tip on Monday morning.
%20(1).jpg)
Breakfast is equally good, such a variety, from kippers to pancakes.
It’s great for a group of friends. You have your own room. You get a good night's sleep, and you don't have to share a bathroom with anyone. But what if you came here entirely on your own and you knew no one?
I saw a lady on her own looking for somewhere to sit to watch the band. She found a space against the wall. I went up to her and asked if she was alone, and she said yes. She was a widow, and she said she liked to come to listen to the bands.
I also saw a man sitting on his own at dinner time. It made me think it would be so nice if Warners could adopt a policy of keeping a table to one side if they knew several solos were booked (Like cruise ships, they sit solos together if possible).
Hopefully, they’d be able to tell, as before arriving, they ask you to cross reference your bookings if you want to be seated as a group. Or they could offer an option when making the booking. A solo meet-up in the bar, advertised in the Entertainment guide prior to the first dinner, would be great. Maybe I'll drop them a line.
%20(1).jpg)
The staff in reception are very pleasant and informative about the local area. There’s a newspaper stand. A bookings desk for tours and future Warner bookings. Occasionally, they have a sale of goods and jewellery. There is also a beautician and spa service.
You need to register for the scheme and spend two nights at one of the UK's hotels or villages. It gives you a discount at the hotel during your stay. You can see details of the tiers here.
I've reached Gold, so I received 10% off of any purchases, mainly drinks, during my stay. This was still applied during Happy Hour.
Well it was a wonderful weekend. You don't have to queue to check out, all charges will automatically be placed on your nominated debit or credit card. The bill is e-mailed to you. On your last day, there is a box in the reception area to place your key.
If you've got a late ferry back, you can stay on the premises as long as you are out of your room by 10.00. There is a nice bar, and the Coffee Nest serving snacks.
%20(1).jpg)
If you want to venture further away from Bembridge and explore the rest of the Isle of Wight, have a look at the Island's official tourism website. My personal favourite thing to do is Osborne House, Queen Victoria's Home.
Well, it was a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to returning.
You can book a room at any Warners Leisure Hotels here.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
