Enjoying one of the island's best settings, with the sea to the fore and Tennyson Down rising up behind, this revamped Victorian seaside hotel might look 'austere and uninspiring' from outside, but inside it's a different story. 'Smiling staff obviously take pride in their work as they serve the delicious sea food,' says our inspector, who visited after a £6 million makeover. The new look blends coastal colours with what the designers call ‘Victorian chic’ in the 'beautiful bedrooms that make the most of the sea views'. All bedrooms are air conditioned; 36 have a balcony or 'very impressive shared terrace looking out over the water'. A wood-panelled deluxe room had 'a large seating area, a tea tray with biscuits, a swish bathroom in black, greys and whites’. And if the restaurant, ‘in deep blues, with some banquettes’, felt ‘slightly characterless’, on a weekday night the service was ‘swift’, the atmosphere buzzy. ‘You know why when you taste the food. The pan-fried cod with chips and peas was perfectly cooked, the mussels were delicious and the seafood linguine couldn’t have been bettered.’ Guests can take advantage of discounted ferry crossings plus an evening shuttle service to local restaurants. See also sister venture Sentry Mead in Totland.