The Westfield

The internet was a bit flaky, though it didn’t bother me since I hadn’t travelled all that way to spend the day online. The room was comfortable and had what I needed, with enough plugs for my computer and phone charger plus a mini fridge for booze. The owner was friendly and showed me around the hotel. It was quiet, with the seafront and shops a short walk away. The station and bus stops weren’t too far if I wanted to go further.

We had a lovely five-night stay for scooter rally weekend. The owners were very friendly, and we got a full English breakfast each morning as requested. Rooms were made up whenever needed, and there were plenty of parking spaces. It’s a great base for seeing the island.

The Westfield looked a little tired at first, but it had plenty going for it. Our small room was well equipped, with a mini drinks fridge, lots of coat hangers, drinking water, and real non-UHT milk in the fridge. There was real filter coffee with a cafetière, plenty of hot drink choices, and biscuits. Instead of little wrapped soaps, there were dispensers for shampoo, shower gel, and conditioner. The room had a ceiling fan rather than air conditioning. Breakfast wasn’t advertised as included, but cereal, toast, and a drink were provided, with cooked breakfast available to buy. The dining room was light, spacious, and modern. There was a sign asking guests not to eat takeaways in their rooms, with cutlery available in the communal areas. Parking was available, and the esplanade, restaurants, and shops were a five-minute walk away. I’d come back.

If I could give it a zero, I would. Thank God they’re selling. The managers and staff here, as well as at the Channel View Hotel in Sandown, are among the rudest you could find on that beautiful island, where most locals are lovely. The location is awful too. Broadway is the main road for getting back to catch a ferry at Fishbourne or Ryde, or an hovercraft, and it’s barely possible to cross the road. Stay away, or wait until there are new landlords. Given how they treated us, it’s no wonder they have to sell.