Short stay: The Royal Hotel, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK By Michael Edwards on Apr 06, 2023 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe

In the 1830s, visitors flocked from England to Ventnor for its almost Madeira-like micro-climate. A small sleepy fishing village on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight suddenly became a bustling pioneer of health tourism. Land prices shot up from £100 to £1,000 per acre. Ventnor filled with crinolines, penny farthings and mutton-chop sideburns.

Fishers, a grand four storey hotel complete with lacy wrought-iron veranda, was built in 1832. The architecture reflected the Georgians’ love affair with the classical symmetry of Ancient Rome.

On her visits to the Isle of Wight, a young Victoria, enjoying the freedom of the years before becoming Queen, loved calling in to that hotel for afternoon tea. In honour of

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