Guests say
Ivy Cottage in Ventnor is praised for its superb sea views and cosy, comfortable atmosphere. Guests appreciate the well-equipped kitchen, the welcome package, and the property's proximity to the beach and town. The conservatory and terraces are highlights, offering relaxation with picturesque vistas.
Reviews are mixed regarding cleanliness. Some guests found the property to be clean and comfortable, while others noted issues with dirty carpets, mould, and a need for a deeper clean. The presence of both positive and negative comments leads to a slightly above average score.
The location is highly praised for its stunning sea views and proximity to the beach and town. The challenging parking situation and steep hills are noted, but these do not significantly detract from the overall appeal of the location.
Guests find the cottage cosy and the beds comfortable, with a homely feel throughout. Some concerns about the suitability for those with mobility issues and the need for blackout blinds in one bedroom are mentioned, but overall comfort is rated well.
Facilities are generally good, with a well-stocked kitchen and comfortable dining and sitting areas. However, guests mention a lack of instructions for appliances, issues with the shower, and a need for maintenance on outdoor areas. These mixed experiences result in an average score.
The welcome package and provision of essentials are appreciated by guests, indicating thoughtfulness from the hosts. However, as gifts are not guaranteed and there is no consistent mention across reviews, the score reflects the positive sentiment without setting expectations.
About this property
Nestled in the seaside town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, is this charming, Victorian home, Ivy Cottage. Enjoying far-reaching sea-views from its elevated position and near a shingle beach, this two-bedroom cottage is a great base for a family of four and their furry friend. Step inside and locate the compact kitchen area, hosting an electric oven and gas hob to conjure hearty meals, which can be enjoyed together at the dining table. Moving through the property, discover the sitting room, where you can curl up on the plush sofa with a cup of tea as the woodburning stove crackles nearby. Escape to the conservatory for a quiet reading spot and splendid views of the waves and when the weather is warm, head out in to the rear garden and savour a glass of wine on the furniture. As the sun begins to set, retreat inside and climb upstairs to choose between a double with ample storage and a bunk bedroom to rest your head. Wake up tired eyes with a hot shower in the contemporary bathroom before enjoying your morning coffee on the terrace to watch the sea. A short stroll will lead you to Ventnor Beach, hosting traditional beach huts; here you can unwind with an ice cream in hand or if that's not your thing there is Ventnor Park for a quaint picnic, Ventnor Botanic Gardens and the National Trust site of Ventnor Downs for a hike. For a bundle of fun, visit the town of Newport to explore Carisbrooke Castle, which is steeped in history, as well as Monkey Haven Primate Rescue Centre and Newport Roman Villa or a little further afield lie attractions such as Cowes Maritime Museum, Osborne House, the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and Amazon World Zoo Park. The ideal base to discover the wonders of Isle of Wight, Ivy Cottage ticks all the boxes.
The small Victorian beach resort of Ventnor is located on the island's southern tip and is reached by a series of steep curving roads surrounded by stunning landscape. This lovely hamlet, which is sheltered by St. Boniface Down, one of the island's highest points and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has a peculiar mild micro climate that allows tropical and exotic species to thrive. The gradually sloping sandy and fine shingle beaches and bays offer excellent watersports facilities as well as a variety of beautiful coastal pathways to explore, while the harbour serves a wide variety of fresh fish and locally caught seafood.
Accommodation
Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x adult bunk bed.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Conservatory
Central heating with woodburning stove.
Electric oven, gas hob, microwave, undercounter fridge with ice compartment, washing machine and dishwasher.
x2 TV, WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Rear garden with terrace and decked area with furniture.
Pet-friendly.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 0.1 miles, pub 0.2 miles, beach 0.6 miles.
Note: The staircase is steep but there are handrails.
Note: There is a public car park a short walk from the property if there is no spaces on the road.
Note: There are a number of steps taking you to the beach so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues
Reviews (20)
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Martin
The place was lovely. We were very comfortable and the view of the sea was perfect. Unfortunately there was a couple of maintenance issues. The top patio needed weeding and the lower decking furniture needs replacing. Do this , and would have been a definite 5 star. If we get the opportunity, we would definitely return to ivy cottage.
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Michael
For us, though, the greatest pleasure was the gorgeous view. Being able to sit in the conservatory or, weather permitting, on the terrace and soak up that peaceful vibe was a highlight. Not so great was the parking, or lack of it. This is covered in the cottage description so we knew it would be an issue but hadn't anticipated how much of a nuisance it turned out to be. We never saw a parking space in the whole week so had to use the public parking (moderately) nearby, which made unloading/loading luggage and shopping a challenge when there are only double yellow lines next to the cottage. There was a problem with the shower that we encountered on the first day where it was stuck on a very high temperature and you couldn't turn it down, making the shower unusable. We reported it and the initial response was good but then we heard nothing further and the problem wasn't resolved. Fortunately, we found how to work around it so managed for the week but hopefully this gets fixed very soon. Despite the parking, we will consider returning to Ivy Cottage because of its charm and the view, though people with mobility issues may find the enforced hilly walks navigating between cottage and car parks off-putting.
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Jamie
It was comfortable and had everything we needed. The only slight issue was parking but we always found a space, eventually even if it was on neighboring roads.