When we decided to book a trip to the Isle of Wight, we enlisted the help of Sue from Visit Isle of Wight to help us look for a luxury hotel that fit our needs. We were yearning for a place that was easy to get to, and would be somewhere we could relax and be close to the sea.
With this in mind, Sue put me in touch with David Barratt who, together with his wife Arielle, owns Haven Hall, the award-winning 5-star country house in the coastal town of Shanklin.
David and Arielle have been living on the Isle of Wight for only 6 years, but they have spent half of that working on the multi-million-pound renovation project that restored Haven Hall to its original Edwardian grandeur.
The Arts & Crafts era is brought back to life through pieces and furniture meticulously sourced from auctions and reclamation yards. Haven Hall is one of the most luxurious accommodations on the island with past guests including Colin Firth, Peter Crouch, and Jimmy Carr, among others.
We pull up onto the end of a cul-de-sac and are welcomed through the wrought iron gates by David. Located on 2 acres of private land, Haven Hall has 14 period-style rooms and suites, all with sea views.
Colourful blooms, a small gazebo, a tennis court, a heated swimming pool, and an amazing panorama of the Culver Cliffs up to nearby Luccombe greet us as we walk around the impeccable, landscaped garden designed by Arielle herself. The resident Labradoodle, Maizie, runs up to say hello, and immediately we feel the warm and friendly atmosphere that David and Arielle have created.
Our accommodation for the evening is the Victoria & Albert room, which was also the former Masters bedroom. The triple aspect windows give us a view of both the garden below and the sea over the cliffs. My favourite part of the room is the sun-drenched reading corner with an extremely comfortable chaise lounge.
It’s obvious that the couple have thought about every detail, from the Isle of Wight food guides to the Victorian dressing table and antique figurines. There is a sizable walk-in wardrobe, Smart TV with Netflix, and tea and coffee facilities. The granite bathroom has a large walk-in shower, double basins, and a luxurious bath situated by the window.
Throughout our stay, we were given as much privacy as we wanted, but David and Arielle always ensured that they were on-hand and available should we need anything.
Breakfast at Haven Hall is a social, but relaxed affair.The sunny breakfast room sits near the patio room, which opens up into the vast garden. A selection of cereals, bread, fruits, and local sausages are on offer, along with coffee and juices.
The couple use this time to catch up with guests and share their wealth of local knowledge. We ended up discovering the best restaurants, attractions, and driving routes via recommendations from David and Arielle.
For those who have successfully relaxed and recharged, Haven Hall is perfectly situated next to a cliff path that goes around the island. Guests can go for a jog or bike ride with the nearby cliffs providing a stunning backdrop. In the summer months, sailing, surfing, golf, or paragliding, are all within reach.
Address: Haven Hall, 5 Howard Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6HD
Phone: 07914 796 494
Website: havenhall.uk
FACTBOX
Things to do:
For details of the many attractions on the Isle of Wight go to visitisleofwight.co.uk.
Getting there:
Vehicle ferry from Portsmouth or Lymington to Isle of Wight – 40 minutes. Book via wightlink.co.uk.
Vehicle ferry from Southampton to Isle of Wight – 60 minutes. Book via redfunnel.co.uk.
Trains from Waterloo to Shanklin take 2 hours and 43 minutes, including a 20-minute passenger ferry.
Private planes can land in Sandown airport (5-minute drive from Haven Hall) or Bembridge airport (20-minute drive from Haven Hall) and helicopters can land at Haven Hall or Sandown airport.
