Melbourne, Ardenlea Hotel

Myself and my partner were very excited about getting away for a couple of days to unwind on the Isle of Wight. We thought we had booked a nice hotel with a pool and sauna that we could use and of course a nice bed to sleep in. How wrong we were! We were fobbed off both the days we were there with a story that engineers were trying to fix the pool heater so we couldn't use the pool and that if we wanted to use the sauna, we had to book in 2 hours in advance so that they could turn it on! As it turns out, we did not see any pool engineers and locals suggested to us that the real reason the pool was cold is because they only turn it on for peak season. Why don't they put that on the website.

As for the room, the matress was horrible! Everytime I moved my wife woke up and visa versa as the matress was horribly springy, unsupportive and seemed 20 years old. When I tried to use the wardrobe, I opened the door and the full length mirror fell off the end smashing into peices all over our clothes. Imagine if we had a child in the room!?

All in all not a nice stay for us, we were glad to get home...

Stayed in the hotel in Oct'09. Positive: Staff very friendly, great jacuzzi, room heaters adjustable to individual needs, great breakfast arrangements! Negative: I wouldn't say the carpet was as such dirty but very dusty, bath wasn't cleaned properly, the shower nor hot water in the bath worked, dust all over the tables, heated indoor pool NOT (staff did say it was 28 degrees but it was more like 15 degrees), sauna out of use but wasn't made aware in advance, breakfast cutlery and mugs not clean. This hotel has all the potential to be a very good hotel however it just needs some hands-on cleaning!

Steep slope down to the sea front. Very close to the old village. On local bus route/land train route, Cliff lift approx 5-7 mins walk away. Parking charges on sea front quite expensive. Bedrooms can be quite a walk away - used to be 2 houses.

Dirty bed covers. Carpet not clean. Staff not very helpful. Very petty. Asked for a second bread roll at evening meal and was refused and supplied with one slice of bread. Not recommended. Not clean where it counts. Would not return to this hotel ever again. Not recommended.

We stayed in the charming four poster room and had a wonderful stay! This hotel has a lovely friendly atmosphere and we were provided with everything we could possibly need whilst there. If you are looking for an ultra modern place to stay this hotel is not for you. However, if you want calm relaxation in a beautiful place we would whole heartedly recommend you try the Melbourne Ardenlea!

The hotel is in a nice road of similar properties, close to the walk along the cliff top with super views etc but our room was so small we had to slide up one side to get into the bed and it was really quite claustrophobic. Charging £110 per night, I was expecting considerably more. My bathroom at home is bigger than the whole bedroom in this dated and overpriced hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful but overall we were disappointed and glad to be staying only one night. The other hotels in the neighbourhood advertise their prices considerably lower than this hotel and the indoor pool was not enough to warrant the extra cost. You even had to pay in a slot to use the Jacuzzi. All in all, we would not recommended it at all. I am sure there are much better value places on the same street, without the old chintzy wallpaper and curtains.

Needed disability access so choice of room very limited. Very disappointing with tired carpets. Entrance to Ardenlea Hotel not very welcoming. Stayed one night and then booked out to find another hotel. Very disappointing .

Have been back at least 10 times to Ardenlea Hotel. Kids love it. I love it. Food is always good although I really don't need quite so many vegetables - especially with pasta dishes! Nice selection of wine at good prices. Breakfast is a treat. Small friendly bar is a good place to meet new friends. Quiet location but close to everything. Staff polite, friendly and helpful and management always make you feel valued. Indoor pool, games room and TV lounge give you plenty to do if you don't want to go out. Not posh but perfect for family holidays - try it.