Bembridge, Bembridge Warners Bembridge Costal Hotel

Just returned from Bembridge and although the food was excellent and staff were very welcoming we felt the finer details were missed. The waiters were very efficent and worked extremely hard but their knowledge of the local area was basic, no understanding of british sense of humour and spoke in broken english, not what I was expecting. It was at times difficult to be understood and conversation was very text book style. It would have been good to have had local people who understood the culture,the area and us better. Our understanding was they work long hours live in chalets, only have one day off a week which they tend to sleep all day. Their knowledge of Bembridge was the kitchen, restuarant and their chalet. The general appearance of the hotel was very tired not to the standards of other warners hotels.

Lovely location. Great sea views from our room. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Food very good and lots of choice. Waiters are excellent as are the bar staff. Entertainment is varied and good. The resident band are also very good with a good variety of music for all ages. All in all a very enjoyable break. Will go again.

No children :) Ideal for those with mobility problems, lots of ramps and all on the same level. Food was good. Pool and leisure facilities were fine. It was looking a little tired but we were there in Feb on a specialist break probably before they spruced it up for the high season. Nice gardens suitable for strolls and easy access to coastal paths for longer hikes.

The Warners Bembridge Costal Hotel is in a lovely position, comfortable rooms. Canteen like food in a buffet restaurant, always long queues. Breakfast horrendous. Room for entertainment packed, could not see entertainment, could not get to the bar once you found a seat. Expensive for what it is, better value for money in a good hotel. I have been on more enjoyable weekend breaks.

Nice set up for a structured stress free Holiday. Very helpful staff, nothing was too much trouble.We used Coastal Mobility for a Hired Electric Scooter, and the service was second to none.

I would recommend them for those less mobile-it made our holiday.

Great place to take a holiday or short break.

Friendly and helpful staff.

Comfortable, clean rooms.

Excellent choice of food.

I'd recommend to all.

I don't get out much as I have arthritis and I'm only just turned 43yrs old and suffer many more health problems. The staff went out there way to help me even one of them lending me his own mini fridge to keep my insulin in. Many thanks to you all for giving me the break I longed for. I hope to come back soon. keep up the good work and hope to see you in or near September. Many thanks

Entertainment and entertainment team were brilliant, the waiter from Middlesbrough was a treasure, he knew his job and did it well. Rooms cleaned perfectly, we have read other reviews and have met some similar sad people, who would complain about themselves if anyone would listen. Please don't, it was great and we have re-booked for next Christmas and will probably go again before then. We were dubious about going at first, we normally do sun and sea abroad but my flight was cancelled. We was so pleased with the holiday, we won't bother going abroad next year.

Sam and Brenda

Bembridge Warners Bembridge Costal Hotel overlooks the busy shipping lanes feeding Portsmouth and Southampton, the ample grounds of this hotel complex offer a tranquil base for a relaxing holiday. The clientele are largely in the age range of 65 to 85, or more, with only 10 to 20% younger than this. Nevertheless, at no time do you feel that you are in an 'old people's home' with many activities such as pitch and putt, bowls (indoors and out), swimming and 'pub' games to keep the guests occupied. The hotel grounds are fairly level, with a ramp, suitable for wheelchairs, down to a beach of sand and low rock strata. Lifts and ramps abound in the hotel with wide doorways also helping to make the location ideal for the disabled visitor.

We were on a long weekend break and arrived at approximately 2 pm on a Friday. Two hula-hoop clad young ladies enthusiastically greeted us and did little to dilute the pre-conceived idea that we were arriving in a holiday camp. We were directed to the parking area, and the reception area which was not in the most obvious, or practical place but deep in the bowels of the hotel. An unforeseen problem in the booking arrangements was quickly sorted out by the friendly staff and we were shown to our rooms. Although the rooms we occupied were spacious and well laid out, the beds were hard with springs in the wrong places, and the pillows were of hollow fibre and exceedingly uncomfortable and hot. The bath/shower had a mat and a strategically placed handrail but with no consideration for those that had difficulties in getting in and out of baths. The other main criticism of the room was the design of the window which was unable to open fully and was also difficult to close. All neccessities for making tea/coffee were provided.

The restaurant opened for dinner at 18.30 and there was anecdotal evidence that a queue formed before the doors opened so that bingo-playing guests could finish their dinner quickly and obtain the best seats in the 'ballroom' for bingo. We saw no evidence of that. The table we were allocated was to be ours for the whole holiday. There was a wine list, adequate but not comprehensive, and quite expensive, but no more so than in other hotels both at home and abroad. We chose a Rioja crianza which would retail in a supermarket at about £7 or £8 , and cost us £16.

A carvery operated in the hotel with 2 joints to choose from i.e. leg of lamb and a turkey; or roast chicken and gammon etc with the mandatory 'Sunday roast beef'. A standard selection of vegetables were available, cooked to death in the English way, but refreshingly there were no chips. There was a selection of dishes on the menu other than from the carvery, and on the face of it they looked quite appetizing. However, the beef stroganoff was awful, and the lamb jalfrezi was only made palatable by a generous helping of lime pickle. The swordfish was better but the presentation lacked due care.

The first course was okay but again the presentation could have been more appealing. However, soup was served hot. The dessert, probably the best facet of English cuisine, was not disappointing, with excellent 'stodge' and on one occasion, apple pie and custard. Breakfast, which started at the quirkily late time of 8.30, offered a wide choice with cereals, yogurt, fresh grapefruit and a full-cooked breakfast. This was all self service with toast/tea/coffee ordered separately. In our short stay we found no fault with the service in the restaurant. On the contrary, the Staff, mostly young Polish students, were hard-working, attentive, well-mannered and jolly.

The evening entertainment began with bingo, which appeared to be relatively poorly attended, followed by a resident band which was versatile in it's range of music. Although modern music interspersed the older numbers the main theme was ballroom dancing, line dancing etc. and there were many skilful exponents of these arts. There was a young DJ that took over when the band had a break but the loud, largely nondescript, music did not appear to be enthused over by the guests, at least on these occasions. While we were there caberet consisted of, a singer/joke teller on the Friday. The jokes were blue and not, according to a straw poll afterwards, deemed to be very funny. On Saturday evening, the star turn was a fairly well-known comedian who was well received, and on Sunday a home-choreographed medley of modern musicals was arranged for the 'Staff' who, in olden days, would have been called Redcoats. This latter form of entertainment was enthusiastically carried out but in an amateurish way reminiscent of MASH or, yes..Warner's Holiday Camp.

The only criticism about booking the holiday, certainly from internet, was the lack of detail regarding accommodation. We had to change a single room in a distant annexe to a double room in the main hotel because the original position was not suitable for an elderly lady. In hindsight, a phone call to Warner's would probably have clarified the situation.

To sum up. This holiday is quintessentially English in every respect. The holiday camp image of Warners has largely been discarded, although one suspects that a large proportion of the guests are ex-holiday camp aficionados from the 50s. There appeared to be no posers, and few tattoos or gold bangles often associated with some hotels or resorts, although it may be added that varying Saturday Night 'stars' may attract different guests. The Staff and guests were extremely friendly and despite a large number of people staying at the hotel it never felt oppressively crowded. This is an excellent holiday for the 65 to 85 or more age group, particularly those that are fortunate enough to remain active. It is not the sort of holiday for under 50s that like discos, sing alongs and plenty to drink.

Bembridge Costal Hotel is in a great location.

Reception very helpful and go out of their way to accommodate all needs, excellent customer care

The gift shop has a wide range of goods and very helpful staff

Entertainment is excellent

This is one of the best holidays ever.