Isle of Wight - Majesties & Militaries seafront hotel
Monday 17 March 2025 to Friday 21 March 2025
£599pp
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert fell so much in love with the Isle of Wight that they built their very own palatial holiday home here. Today’s visitors love the island for its timeless charm, picture postcard views and quintessentially English thatched cottages. More than half the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it’s a wildlife haven for many species, including the elusive red squirrel. No wonder the island won Best UK Destination at the 2023 & 2024 Group Leisure & Travel Awards!
Customers enjoyed our 2023 visits to the island, commenting that the “Hotel staff were very attentive and very friendly” and “The Military Museum was an unexpected gem, excellent and informative guides”.
IOW Military & Heritage Museum and Osborne House are both winners of a 2024 Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor – this is only awarded to attractions that are ranked within the top 10% and consistently earn great visitor reviews!
We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with SunWorld holiday insurance who can offer single or annual multi-trip cover. Get your free custom quote.
Tour code: A3466
Monday
Cross The Solent and check in at your hotel with tea/coffee waiting for you on arrival.
Tuesday
Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel or take a stroll along the seafront in Ryde before an afternoon visit to the island's fascinating Military Museum. The Wight Military & Heritage Museum houses fascinating WWII exhibits including a French ambulance, weapons, tanks and more, with friendly volunteers often on hand to offer up interesting insights.
Wednesday
Sit back and enjoy the view as your driver takes you on a round-the-island tour, calling at Sandown, Isle of Wight Pearl and Cowes. Sandown’s sheltered bay offers a lovely spot to stretch your legs with a stroll along the coastal path (flat seawall walk and cliff path) or to take in relaxing views out to sea. Beautiful jewellery has been crafted for over 30 years at IOW Pearl, this superb cliff-top attraction has wonderful views across the Channel, especially from the panoramic café. Finish the day in Cowes with a stroll along the High Street and down to the Esplanade towards the bustling harbour.
Thursday
Spend the morning at Queen Victoria’s lavish ‘holiday home’, Osborne House, where the sumptuous furnishings and immaculate gardens give a glimpse into the Royal Family’s extravagant lifestyle. Gain a sense of colonial history in the State Rooms, imagine family time on the private beach and enjoy a peaceful wander in the Italianate gardens (renovated in 2017 when plants as old as the building itself were uncovered!). Finish the day with a cream tea back at the hotel and a final chance to soak up your coastal surroundings.
Friday
Enjoy views of the island as we return to the mainland and head home.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee every night
- Entry to Osborne House (EH)
- Entry to the IOW Military Museum
- Visit to IOW Pearl
- Free time in Ryde, Sandown and Cowes
- Afternoon tea at the hotel
- Live entertainment one evening
- James Bond Casino Night (dress to impress!)
- Welcome tea/coffee at the hotel
- Porterage
- Return ferry crossings from Portsmouth to Fishbourne
- Door2Door Travel (save £10pp by meeting the coach at a central departure point)
- BCH-ABTOT Financial Protection
- Pre allocated coach seat
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow controls
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- Book with just a £50pp deposit (balance due 8 weeks prior to departure)
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
- £5pp discount for English Heritage Members
- Book early to guarantee no single supplement (available on a limited number of rooms)
The Royal Esplanade Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight 
- Winners of a 2024 Travellers' Choice Award from Tripadvisor (ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor!)
- Situated at the foot of the Victorian Pier in the harbour town of Ryde
- Grade II Listed
- Within walking distance of sandy beaches, Ryde's pretty little harbour and boutique shops
- Shaws customers rated this hotel 4.3/5 stars in 2023 based on its food & drink, customer service, bedroom comfort and public areas
- Ensuite rooms with TV, radio, phone and hospitality tray
- Restaurant, bar and lounge
- Outdoor terrace
- Lift (unsuitable for mobility scooters)
ACCESS: There are 8 unavoidable steps leading to the hotel entrance and walk-in showers are available on request only. Please let us know if space for a wheelchair is required as there is limited capacity on ferry crossings
