Villas In The Isle Of Wight

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jason - Verified booking

  On arrival the house is impressive.

  It’s obviously spacious and well designed. However, the initial impression didn’t last long. Our excitement at arriving was massively tempered when we saw there were dead plants in plant pots in several of the bathrooms and the garden the planters were all dead. Plus the garden area was really dirty - there were cobwebs and plant waste around the garden and the patio had stains across it as well as there being food waste left on the grass. Obviously we are aware there was a drought in place but leaving entire planters with dead and dusty planters added to the unloved and shabby look of the garden area. And then there was no welcome pack at all. Not even a packet of biscuits or pint of milk. The kitchen is impressive looking, however there weren’t enough plates, cups and crockery settings for all of us, given that with a dishwasher you should have a minimum of 2 per person. Because whole drawers were given over to the owners spices and sauces and etc it felt very much as if we were in an Airbnb rather than a dedicated holiday home. All the things above made the place feel much less special and to be honest we were all pretty disappointed. However the biggest issue was the ‘fourth bedroom’. This was not actually a bedroom. It was an office with a pull out double bed which was like sleeping on a rock. The room was not furnished to be a bedroom - there was no bedroom chair, no dressing table or mirror and nowhere to put a suitcase. You couldn’t even pull the blinds down without standing on the rock hard bed. My daughter had to sleep there and even sleeping with three duvets under her we had to go and buy a mattress topper to make it a comfortable room. This is not a proper bedroom and she slept badly all week. My mother in law, who had paid for this trip as an 80th birthday treat to her family, was bitterly disappointed and felt like we’d been let down. To add insult to injury on the last three days the neighbour was having work done and the fence/gate was taken down so that our dog had to be guarded when in the garden and the noise and dust from power tools meant it was impossible to sit in the garden during the day. We loved the location and the size of the house but we did come away feeling very ripped off. When we communicated with your company initially about this booking, we were told that the owner sets the price, but I do feel that your job as agents is to mediate and to check that the house is good value. For around £600 a night for a three bed with ‘add on’ bedroom, I can tell you that this is not good value. For that rate we expected it to be slick and luxurious rather than a basic level. The fundamental principle of a good’s night sleep should be met as a minimum. When you are stretching yourself to afford something this special it is so disappointing to walk into a home that felt like it had been uninhabited and unloved for months. To then be unable to guarantee a proper bedroom for one of the party was really unacceptable.

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• Antoine - Verified booking

  From the moment we drove up to 19 Clatterford Shute, we were in love.

  Nestled in the outskirts of Carisbrooke, this medieval, thatched cottage is a gem. The charm of the rustic beams and original features had us marveling at every turn, offering a perfect blend of history and comfort. The entrance hall, with its half-vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, instantly made us feel at home. The living/dining room was cozy and inviting, providing the perfect setting for our family evenings. For quieter moments, the snug room with a well-stocked library was a delightful haven. The kitchen, equipped with a marvelous AGA range, was a delight for our home-cooked meals. We relished our meals, whether in the dining room, the garden patio, or the inviting living space. The bedrooms were tastefully appointed, each offering its unique charm. The master suite, with its vaulted ceiling, king-size bed, and en-suite shower room, was our personal retreat. The extensive garden, with its idyllic pond, was a joy to explore. The two storage sheds were indeed handy for storing our bikes. The convenience of the utility room with laundry facilities was also a thoughtful touch. The location was perfect for our family. We loved our walks to the iconic Carisbrooke Castle, the charming village, and the lovely Castle Street Ford. Newport, Cowes, and the coastal towns of Ryde, Shanklin, and Sandown were easily accessible and offered plenty of activities. Overall, Cloud Castle was the perfect base for our Isle of Wight break. We left with beautiful memories and look forward to returning to this delightful cottage. Highly recommended!"

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• Amy - Verified booking

  This was my second visit to bishops retreat, having been there in April 2023 for a girly weekend.

  This time I have brought the hubby and kids to show them the delightful property as well as the delights of both the Isle of Wight and ventnor itself! The island has so much to offer. We highly recommend west wight alpacas and llama walking, off the rails cafe just outside Yarmouth, the needles landmark attraction, donkey sanctuary (free entry but donations warmly welcomed), garlic farm, the gin distillery (has good grub), Besty and spinky’s, the spyglass inn for its amazing views, masala bay has amazing Indian food and my personal favourite a walk along the coastal path to steep hill cove and the botanical gardens. We have had two fabulous days on the beach in the glorious sunshine (rather different to my rather wet 2023 experience!). And now to the host Holly, what can I say, exceptional hospitality, helpfulness and from Prosecco on arrival (and milk!!) to donkey sanctuary biscuits and leaving body boards, buckets and spades out, to treating us to an icecream from the amazing crave (opposite tescos) for being return guests, we have been made to feel so welcome and I feel like I have know Holly for years!! The kids also were thrilled to have access to the Disney channel for a movie night and throughly enjoyed the big nickel bath tub, as did I with a glass of bubbles! Some people might be put off by having no dedicated parking but I’ve easily found a spot on both of my trips and the bus is the best way to travel around and see the sites anyway! Totally 5* thank you and see you again next time!

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• Lenka - Verified booking

  What an amazing gem the Cloud Castle Cottage is!

  Absolutely gorgeous location within walking distance to the historical motte-and-bailey Carisbrooke castle, exceptionally beautiful, listed building with thatched roof, super clean, spacious, and full of character to accommodate young children and teenager for one of the most amazing holidays, ever. It was perfect! The back garden has manicured lawn to play all day or relax with glass of local sparkling wine. The cottage interior is stunning, shaker countryside kitchen with large Belfast sink and magnificent Aga, which was fabulous experience to use for any cooking, truly inspiring and surprisingly very easy to use for our first time. Loved it !!! Master bedroom is furnished with beautiful period bed, all very comfortable and decorated with stylish antique furniture and crystal chandeliers in bedroom and bathroom. I must say, I have really enjoyed the fabulous traditional bathtub after all day with the children. The cottage itself is surrounded by stunning countryside and wonderful paths for walking and exploring. My children absolutely loved the time spend on the nearby Sundown and Shanklin beaches or exploring the infamous Garlic farm where we have stopped for delicious family lunch which I highly recommend visiting. I wish we would stay few more days; four days is just not simply enough, and I would highly recommend staying for longer, there is so much to see and visit. One of the best holidays, ever. Thank you so much and hopefully we will be booking soon!

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• Emma - Verified booking

  We enjoyed our stay and thoroughly loved the location and style of the cottage.

  However we have the following observations: 1. There were a lot of cobwebs and dust all around the cottage. Particularly the downstairs bathroom expelair and above the shower, the white wardrobe in the double room and the headboard in the downstairs bedroom were dusty and in need of a good clean. 2. There were no bedside tables or lamps in the bedrooms. No socket for a hair dryer near a mirror. No furniture except a bed in the bedroom downstairs so nowhere to put clothes, suitcase etc. 3. Insufficient crockery and glasses for the amount of people. The cutlery was like picnic cutlery rather than proper stainless steel. Other than that the kitchen was well supplied. 4. Front door key stiff and hard to lock/unlock. 5. There were no clear instructions for check out regarding the bins, and where to leave linen and towels. 6. All the windows were dirty on the outside. 7. There seemed to be a lot of personal stuff in drawers and in the bathroom cabinets. 8. There were no mattress covers on the beds or pillows. 9. The roof was clearly newly thatched and it looked great but there was lots of straw around the doors which was a bit messy. These are not criticisms but suggestions that would improve the cottage and make a stay more comfortable in our opinion.

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