The Royal Hotel

For any hotel owner surely the quality and consistency of the reservations/front desk/reception staff should be high up there in priority? It is therefore gratifying to note that some of the large chains, as well as most of the smaller run groups could learn a tremendous amount from the staff at The Royal. We choose this hotel on the basis of the two to three positive reviews we read here on trip advisor and from the moment we picked the 'phone up we were constantly amazed at how patient the various staff were, even when we were probably the customer from hell in terms of the volume of questions we asked. We booked an 8 night stay with our two children (3 and 1) and were told there was one family room left. The family rooms have a small annex separated by a jutting out wall, so at least you can put the children to bed and then utilise the baby listening service whilst eating in the restaurant (there is simply no point in going elsewhere when the food was this good). In theory. We were though disappointed with the room (no 60) at the start. We arrived during a bank holiday and, as we later found out, the chamber maids were all agency staff. So we walked into the room which was dirty. It even had the last occupants’ socks and pants lying on the floor. The carpet still has, the what is fast becoming famous, iron burn in it. In fact the carpet, being brown must be over 500million years old? Room 60 needs a makeover; it's as simple as that. And what is really galling is that most of the other rooms are clearly prettier/better designed/more up to date than the family ones. We did feel like the owner was making us second class citizens... But I suppose the biggest issue for us was the fact that the bathroom was through the annex. So if your children are not the greatest sleepers it would be almost impossible to use the bathroom late at night after supper for instance... this was not explained when we booked and for us was a problem. To then give The Royal an excellent rating is something of a turnaround? Well, the room will never be more than 1 out of 10 until it is updated. We got over the annex bit and incidentally our children slept pretty well (must have been the sea air), no it's just that the rest of the hotel scores so well that you find yourself beginning to forgive the room. And that is when you begin to realise this is a pretty special hotel. Other reviews have waxed about the food - we back that up. Others have mentioned the bar, bar staff and verandah. We back that all up. So all in all we left relaxed and having enjoyed our stay. We will go back but not to room 60 or any of the family rooms across the second floor!

We took a 5 day half board package in a superior sea-facing room in mid July. The hotel has the look and feel of a traditional British hotel. Decoration is conservative, particularly the bedrooms which are perhaps rather bland as a result. Comfortable though, with tea/coffee making facilities but no mini-bar. Room fridges available on request. The gardens and verandah are pleasant, especially for afternoon tea or pre-dinner drinks. Service from the bar staff and waiters was exceptional, orchestrated by two young managers who saw to it that everything was just so. The food is outstanding. All fresh cooked and prepared to order. Booking a dinner time slot is necessary, but as lateish diners we found this to be no problem at all. Excellent wine list , reasonably priced, with choices to suit all tastes and budgets. Other clientele tended to be in the 50+ age group, although there were some younger couples, some with small children. If you want excellent service in a marvellous location, this is for you. Very good value for money indeed.

We booked last minute to escape the London heat. From rather a random selection we were very pleasantly surprised. Don't be put off by their rubbish website which makes the place look rather faded and stuffy. It combines old fashioned hospitality (proper table cloths, afternoon tea etc) which really friendly and attentive service. We went with our 18 month-old twins and it couldn't have been better. A wonderful pool (quite cold but that was OK in hot weather), a sand pit and swings. However, facilities would probably be limited for older children. We could relax in the evening knowing that they were being monitored down the phone line. Food was superb too... Such a shame it was just one night!

We have just come back from 3 nights at the Royal Hotel and were impressed. We had a superior sea facing room, which was well decorated and had a fabulous view (this was very underplayed when we booked). The service was excellent at reception, in the bar and in the restaurant. The staff are efficient and friendly without being over-familiar. The food in the restaurant is fantastic. The menu is varied and interesting without being over-complicated. We stay in a lot of good hotels and have eaten in many quality restaurants and this was up there with the best.

Stayed at the Royal Hotel, very disappointed with the room (admittedly one of the cheaper ones at the back) which was shabby and small and the bathroom cramped and in need of redecoration. The restaurant (or rather the food) is fully deserving of the accolades it has won, although the service is very hit and miss, being very stuffy at times. I think they should spend more on renovations than on the endless marketing material we have been deluged with since our visit. Would definitely visit their restaurant again but stay somewhere else!

When we first arrived I was disappointed. The decoration of the lobby was uninspiring and our room was basic. Our room had obviously been updated relatively recently, but the decoration was very bland, like a poor chain hotel with no individual touches or even the will to move away from the safest ever option. As our stay progressed I did fall in love with the Royal. The reason was two fold. Firstly the staff - wonderfully attentive - great old fashioned family service - and secondly the food. We were half board and enjoyed a wonderful cooked breakfast everyday and an amazing 3 couse meal in the AA 2 rosette restaurant. The baby - listening service was excellent - meaning that we could enjoy an evening roaming freely around the hotel, safe in the knowldege if our baby woke then someone could get us. It was clear that many guests came year after year and I can see why. After a while, you begin to see the beauty of the hotel, the location, minutes from the sea is excellent, and the personal touches from the staff mean that we will return soon.

What a dump.. The rooms on the website bare no resemblance of any kind to the rooms you are allocated. The bed sheets have holes. It could be a nice hotel if someone actually cared and tried to improve its very tired look. The staff are not trained and have no idea how to even mix a drink.Ventnor happens to be a nice town to visit. They need better hotels.

This was our first stay at the Royal, and we enjoyed every moment. If I had to give one overwhelming reason to stay at the hotel it would be the dining - excellent food, and a professional and efficient dining room staff. The bedrooms are comfortable - I recommend going for the "sea view" option, nice outlook. We found the hotel staff pleasant, helpful, and polite. This is NOT a hotel where a "high five" and a "howdy all!" is the order of the day - it is a classic English hotel, and in saying we'd forgotten that hotels like this actually existed in today's "plastic" world, we mean that comment in the most positive way. Can't wait to return...I guess we're now "repeat visitors" in the making!

We stayed at the Royal Hotel for the May Bank holiday weekend and loved it (and we are not regulars!). Well worth paying a bit extra for a superior room - ours was lovely with a view of the sea. Excellent food - traditional (good) English style - waiters know your name, are polite and friendly. Great Island - nearly everywhere within 15mins drive - great coastal walking and masses of things to do in any weather.

The Royal has a reputation for attracting repeat business year after year. Whilst it is undoubtedly an attractive building which has been well maintained, the staff tended to be rude, arrogant and unhelpful to those visitors they are not familiar with. An hotel with an uncertain future I should imagine. Next time you want to stay at a quality hotel on the Isle of Wight stay at the Faringford. Not only does it have history, the facilities and staff are excellent too.