The Island Accommodation

The queen studio is not much more than a glorified Formula One room. Wireless internet access NOT accessible from your room. The signal is not strong enough. No staff around after 5.30pm. Restaurant was not open at all. Café next door wasn't open at 7.30am. For the price I paid, I would expect a fair bit better.

Facilities: Modern; Value: Affordable; Service: Friendly;

Our reception at The Island was great; the person on reception was friendly and we were given a map of the main attractions on the island, directions to things we were already planning, and suggestions of other things to see and do. There's ample on-site parking. The room (we had a private ensuite double) was bright, clean and comfortable. Wifi comes only at extra cost. The place is located just as you enter the island from the east and is easy to find, just off off the main road after the bridge. It is only a 15 minute drive to the other side of the island, to the Nobbies and Penguin Parade, and about the same up to Cowes. The on-site cafe did a really nice breakfast menu and other snacks and the communal cooking facilities (which we didn't use) were modern and looked well-equipped. Accommodation on PI isn't cheap generally, but the fact this is a hostel as well as a hotel shouldn't put you off. We had no problems here and it was very good value for the location.

A place to sleep, rooms contain bunks with bedding,rubbish bins and a picture.

The Hostel is located in the Newhaven area just over the bridge from San Remo (cafes, pubs, shops, restaurant) and quite close to the grocery store in Newhaven. It is quite a distance to the "main attractions" on the Island being the Penguins, GP Track, and Cowes township so a car is preferable. Bathrooms adequate and clean but may be put under pressure in peak periods. Plenty of power points in the room which is always nice in a hostel. Booked a bed in a 6 sleeper room and they upgraded me to a bed in a 4 sleeper which is nice :). Didnt use the kitchen facilities but they looked excellent. Disappointing that there is a strict (suppsedly, i saw plenty of people drinking) no alcohol policy as enjoying a beer in the afternoon sun on the roof would be excellent. On the Island I did the penguins the first night (go on your own, not as part of a tour, the buses leave halfway into the parade! - I can thoroughly recommend the VIP tour, it's worth the extra expense), the Chocolate factory, GP track (do the tour, much better than just the History of Motorsport exhibit)and Cowes the next day and just basically explored. Roads are well maintained although unsealed roads a bit bumpy but still easily handled by my rented Yaris.