Hot tub stays on the Isle of Wight
Nothing beats gently lowering yourself into a freshly fired-up hot tub! Whether it’s to relax those muscles after a quick sea swim or to unwind after a day of exploring countryside and castles – an al fresco hot tub dunk does wonders for the mind and body.
If that bubbling sound seems to call your name (and a trip to the Island would feel incomplete without it) then dig out your best swimwear, as we reveal our top accommodation picks, each with their very own hot tub or spa pool – sparkling, steaming and waiting just for you.
First to bubble up onto our list is Whitecliff Bay. This scenic cliff top holiday resort looks out onto the crisp blue waters of the English Channel, with rolling hills around it and a private beach below. Whether you plump for a bright and airy chalet (sleeping up to six) or a cosy, comfortable lodge (with room for eight), hot tub options are available – just ask before you book. If you fancied checking in to something a bit different, then ‘The Rockstar’ lodge could be just the thing. With zebra-stripe carpets, Union Jack wall art and a secret bathtub TV, it’s the ideal base to feel that rock star lifestyle, plus with a hot tub guaranteed, it seems your evening plans are sorted.
Meanwhile, over in Rookley, a more tranquil experience awaits. Located close to the very centre of the Isle of Wight, The Lakes offer a relaxing, leafy hideaway with cottages and caravans clustered around a stunning, reed-fringed lake. Here we’d recommend you opt for the Island Cottage, a modern, tastefully designed home with private patio and exclusive hot tub – perfect for watching the sunsets (and taking in the relaxing quack of the park’s resident ducks). As an added bonus, you can dine on-site at The Lakeside Restaurant, handy if you don’t want to part from that steamy hot tub for long.
If eco-credentials are high up on your hot tub holiday wish list, then look no further than Tapnell Farm and their ‘Modulogs’. Nestled into a hillside halfway between Freshwater and Calbourne, these cosy, wooden pods neatly pack in two double bedrooms, a shower room and an open-plan living space too. Each has its own decking (with views across the lush green hills of West Wight), as well as a BBQ and the option to collect free, freshly laid eggs direct from the Tapnell chickens. As for the hot tub (as if we could forget) you’ll find a private wood-fired tub alongside each pod, simply pop in some logs and fill with hot water before you sit back and enjoy.
Perhaps it’s characterful cottages that put the wind in your sails, in which case the magnificent Grade II listed Gothic Cottage in Ryde should be right up your street. This early Victorian property has undergone a stylish redesign and now boasts everything from a jukebox and glitter ball to cinema room and games room. Outside, you’ll discover an oasis of a walled garden, with a luxurious cedar barrel hot tub in pride of place, as well
as a wood-fired pizza oven (perfect for a post-dip snack).
Down on the Island’s south coast, you could also try St Rhadagunds Cottage West in the village of St Lawrence (a recently revamped Edwardian home with a jacuzzi in its secluded sunken garden) or for something more modern take a look at Sea Breeze, a contemporary four bedroom holiday let within walking distance of Gurnard seafront.
If a hot tub alone doesn’t provide quite enough rest and relaxation for you, then make a reservation at the Lakeside Park Hotel on the banks of Wootton Creek. Choose from a twin or king size double room (or perhaps a suite if you’re feeling extra indulgent), all of which come with views of the lake and countryside beyond – as well as complimentary access to the in-house spa. Once you’ve rolled up your towel, donned your robe and stepped into your spa slippers, you’ll discover a ten-metre indoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, as well as an outdoor Thermal Spa Garden complete with hot tub, refreshing eucalyptus sauna and calming lavender sauna too.
Finally, we couldn’t end this run-down of hot tub hideaways without a visit to Nodes Point Holiday Park, a family-friendly resort close to the village of St. Helens. Offering a range of caravans and lodges, it sits on a gently sloping hill, leading down to the sea, sand dunes and the remains of a historic ruined church. We’d especially recommend a booking for Freshwater Lodge, a comfy and modern home with 800 square feet of space and room for up to six guests.
Stepping through the sliding doors, you’ll find the lodge’s private veranda, with a dining area looking out towards the sea and (more excitingly) your very own hot tub as well. After a busy day of testing out the local activities (such as horse riding on the beach), there’s no better way to refuel and recharge than by switching on those bubbles as the sun goes down and losing yourself in the steamy waters of a holiday hot tub.
