The Swiss Cottage, Shanklin

8/10

Excellent

12 Jul 2026

Vadim

Great stay: very convenient location - close to the station, shops and the seafront. Very quiet residential area, but easy to get around. My room was very nice: spacious and airy. It was cleaned on daily basis, The breakfast was good.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2026

Ruth

Owner very helpful, lovely clean room, very good breakfast.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jun 2026

Ian

All is clean, all is quiet, really spacious, great location.
Loved the separate reading area in room 1.

Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2025

Julie

Room was spotlessly clean. All the little extras were thought about. Hosts were truly lovely people.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2025

alan

Situated midway between the beach and town centre, Swiss Cottage gave me a very comfortable stay, and a daily freshly cooked to order breakfast, all provided by the friendly hosts Christine and Keith

Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Jul 2025

Paul

Pleasant stay.

Hosts were pleasant and friendly.
Bedding was changed when I mentioned it was too warm.
Good breakfast. Good room. Comfortable bed.
Easy to arrange an extra night.

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jun 2025

John

I had a poor welcome.
Fortunately, I decided to stay and see how it worked out.
The room was very comfortable and had lots of extras like a small fridge and a good selection of powdered drinks.
The shower and toilet and hand basin were high quality with plenty of gels/soaps etc. Towels were high quality.
The TV was good, plenty of cupboard and drawer spaces.
However, it was impossible to receive emails and Internet.
The East Esplanade was two minutes away and access to the Chine and beaches very easy. The bus station was close and access to shops good.
I was there for 4 nights and had a very enjoyable time.
I thought the separate price for breakfast of £10 was excessive and felt the advertised price should make clear that it was for accommodation only. It's B and not B&B.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2025

Robert

Great place host are fantastic

Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Sep 2024

John

2nd visit just a very good place to stay can't fault this facility very well looked after

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2024

Rhiannon

Gem in Shanklin

This has to be the best place I have ever stayed in.

Keith is a absolute gem and just genuinely a nice fella

Christian is lovely aswell

Stay here for the legends of a married couple that make you feel welcome and appreciated

Thank you

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2024

Angela

Keith and Christine who own this hotel, are very friendly and welcoming. The property is in a perfect location. Short walk to beach, Old Village, transport. The place is spotlessly clean. There are extra toiletries in the rooms, ex. face cleansing pads. complimentary water on first night. Small fridge in room. Breakfast was good. I would recommend it.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2024

John

First class breakfast and service. Poor car parking at front of property.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2024

David

Well run, very tidy and clean, cannot thank them enough.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2024

Lisa

Had a really lovely stay . room was lovely and clean comfortable bed . Tasty home cooked breakfast . Good central location. Really good value for money . Hosts were friendly and helpful .
Thank you for a lovely stay we had a lovely few days

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 May 2024

John

My sister and I had a wonderful time on our stay at the Swiss Cottage premises were very clean and well maintained, breakfast was excellent and there was lots of choice in the menu all in all a wonderful stay Christine couldn't have been more helpful.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2024

N

Good value , all the basics , needs an update

Overall ticks all the boxes . In some need of updating , decor , furniture . Mattress too soft for me , a topper or new one would be ideal. Parking was fine. An altercation with the owner and a guest at 1.30 am on my second night didn’t help my sleep . Whilst my room was next door to the entrance , and in all probability not the fault of the owner , regardless , there are other guests in the accommodation to consider. Overall decent for the price .

Business

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2023

Lynne

Really lovely Keith and Christine couldn’t be more helpful, would definitely go back

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2023

Judith R

Our hosts went above and beyond to be helpful and kept us well-informed. Our room was most comfortable. Breakfasts were served speedily and offered us choices eg it's been a long time since I had such excellent kippers. I loved the way our hosts would advise us of the flattest route to where we wanted to go! We left with warm feelings for our stay on Isle of Wight

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2023

Mark

Great stay

Excellent, they have really thought if everything .

Parking was a bit difficult with it being tight

Business

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2023

Constance

Swiss Cottage is a good quality, very clean well run Guest House/B&B.
It is located close to public transport links and is within walking distance of the old town and esplanade/beach area.
Keith and Christine have taken care to add little touches in the guest rooms like a bottle of water on arrival and a good selection of toiletries in case you had forgotten something.
Our bed was very comfortable. We had everything we needed in our room and en-suite.
The freshly cooked breakfast set you up for the day.
We enjoyed a chat with Keith each morning at breakfast and if we wanted any help or information, all we had to do was ask.
We would happily stay there again.
Connie and John

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

03 Jul 2023

Vernon

Half way between seafront and Old Village. Able to access seafront and restaurants easily.
Need to reserve table for food most evenings at restaurants.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 May 2023

Trevor

Very well looked after, very clean and friendly and an excellent breakfast 😃😃

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Sep 2022

Verified traveler

Never Again.

Bar was not open and was told we were not allowed to take a drink into our room. The bed was awful...too low and felt every spring. Did not sleep at all well. Water far too hot in the bathroom and not showing any warnings of scolding water. Shower over the bath was on a mixer pump which either scolded you or froze you before a comfortable temperature was obtained. The shower screen was fixed to the bath making it very difficult to get in and out of the bath.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2022

Andy

Good little hotel, thanks

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2022

Kenneth

A great, friendly stay

Great hosts, nice rooms, grand breakfasts. All positives and no negatives.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2022

Diane

Incredible stay.

Wow, what an amazing, homely hotel. It felt like walking into a home with so many extra little touches that makes it so special. Keith and Christine and just so welcoming and will do anything to help. The room itself was exceptionally clean and tidy and plenty of room.
The breakfast included each morning was ample and the selection available was very inclusive. Furthermore, they also both had amazing understanding of someone with 30+ allergies, and did everything to make it as inclusive as possible.
As hosts both Christine and Keith were very welcoming and chatty, and were always helpful on where to eat out, or places to visit. But, they were also so lovely just to chat to, they are both such wonderful people and incredible hosts.
When i return to the Isle of Wight, I most certainly be staying there again. I cant wait to return.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2022

Ian

A most peaceful time

All good, not sure how it could be much better

Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Nov 2021

James

Great stay for a business / sightseeing trip!

Really enjoyed staying here - really good rooms.

Need to contact the hotel ASAP if you are arriving after 7pm though to arrange a late checkin fee.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2021

Sue

Mini break

Visiting friends so very convenient hotel

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

01 Sep 2021

Verified traveler

Comfortable guest house / unfriendly owners

The guest house had everything needed for a short stay, the bed was comfortable and the breakfast was very good. Also very clean and tidy. The room was quite cold. The stay was spoilt by the owners who weren't particularly friendly and seemed more intent on making sure we followed their rules. We'd never seen a guest house with so many instructions for do's and don'ts stuck on everything.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

👍

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Excellent location, close to beach old town, restaurants and Shanklin Chine. Pleasing hosts and decent room. Amenities provided in the room were all spot on.

The parking can be tricky at times.
Overall had a good 3 nights stay.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2021

Sean

Nice stay, very clean and friendly

Had a lovely few days here with friends. The place is very clean. Owners very friendly, had a nice chat with them each morning over breakfast.
Breakfast was really nice, i opted for the fresh fruit salad with natural yogurt with a full english which was cooked to percection. Theres s small fridge in the room with a complimentary bottle of water snd two small cans of pop. Yes overal a nice relaxing few days, oh an i managed to park each day on the car parking spaces outside even tbough i used the car each day to travel around the island. Shanklin is a great place do that. Keep an eye out for the local fox in the evening. Thanks both

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

We thought it was well situated for amenities, and couldn't fault the cleanliness. The cooked breakfasts looked amazing with generous portions, although we opted for the fruit and yoghurt, cereal and toast. The room we stayed in was large and the beds very comfortable. The downside was the bar remained closed and drinks and food was not allowed in our room.. we could understand the covid rules in place and were grateful to adhere to them. I found parking a little tight but I'm a female pensioner so understandable. Keith always offered to help if I got stuck bless him.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2021

Judy

Highly recommended

Great hosts. Excellent breakfast. Comfy bed. Great location.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Walking distance to beach and old town. Nice breakfast, spacious room size, clean. But the shower pressure isn’t good enough, sometimes hot water and cold water doesn’t mixed well.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2021

Claire

Excellent

Such a wonderful stay in this lovely guest house. It was my base for a week of walking. Felt like a home from home with added super delicious breakfasts. Fabulous hosts that cannot do enough for you. Highly recommend.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2021

Sally

Big thumbs up for The Swiss Cottage 👍👍👍

I received a warm, friendly, socially distanced welcome when I arrived.
The en-suite room was spacious, comfortable, clean and bright.
The breakfast was delicious but defeated me!
Keith was particularly helpful with my ferry booking problem.
I thoroughly recommend The Swiss Cottage.
Thank you Keith and Christine🙂

Business

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2021

shaun

Short break in shanklin

An excellent well run establishment with lovely big clean en suite room and a wonderful cooked to order breakfast

Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2020

PeterR

Keith and Christine are very hospitable hosts who made us very welcome. They always have a spotless and extremely well-run establishment, and in addition they have made the appropriate changes necessary for Covid compliance, including clear and sensible instructions to guests.

The Swiss Cottage is well located close to the town and with easy access to the seafront. Our room was extremely comfortable and well appointed, and we particularly enjoyed the excellent cooked breakfast which had a good choice of options.

We had a most enjoyable stay and thoroughly recommend The Swiss Cottage.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

03 Sep 2020

t

Not a family friendly hotel

DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL if you are travelling with children as you will not be welcome. We had to check out 2 days early because we were made to feel so uncomfortable.
DO NOT BOOK if you are not already a friend of the 2 owners because you will be an unwelcome stranger.
DO NOT ACCEPT room 1 and a sofabed because the bedclothes were not fresh and I woke at 6.20am on Sunday listening to the toilet above my head being used. In hindsight we now question the cleaning regime for the bedding.
DO NOT BOOK if you think the napkins at breakfast are there to cover your clothes. We were told they are for decoration only and not to be dirtied.
DO NOT ACCEPT a room at the front because the paper thin white curtains do not shut out the light or the flashing TV from the flat opposite.
DO NOT try to create space at the breakfast table by stacking plates because the owner will tell you off for making the back of the plates sticky.
DO NOT BOOK this hotel if you would like a friendly welcome and information about the events on the island.
DO NOT BOOK room 1 if you want to be able to close the bathroom door and use the basin because you will be banging your arm against the door. The towels never dried on the unheated rack.
What a shame for the Isle of Wight to have this hotel listed as popular.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2020

Emile

Just what the doctor ordered!

Thank you so much Christine and Keith for making us feel right at home (actually - more comfortable than if we were home).
The proper breakfasts set us up for our days of exploring the beautiful island and scenery.
The room was really well presented and the atmosphere was a delight. The only negative was that we had to leave at the end.
Will definitely be back!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2020

Charles

Excellent Hotel

We had a very pleasant 4 night stay and tge hotel was very clean in all areas.
Breakfast was excellent with good fesh locally sourced produce being used.
Our bedroom Room 8 was fairly small and my husband managed to hit his leg on th bed end several times. That said it was all in all an excellent hotel with great hosts.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2020

Joan

First time in Isle of Wight

The hosts are very welcoming and knowledgeable.You can choose what breakfast you want everyday.The hotel is in a perfect location as the bus stop 5mins and station about 10mins by foot.
Coastal path is also very near.
The room was spacious and very comfortable.
Would stay here again

Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2020

TrishandTroyWat

We enjoyed our stay with Christine and Keith. Their home was well-placed for both the town and the beachfront - only a few minutes walk. The breakfasts were lovely. They had to do set times for breakfast but this was understandable due to Covid restrictions. All in all excellent value for money. Thanks Chris and Keith!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2020

Lorraine

We had a lovely stay at Swiss Cottage. The hosts are very friendly and helpful. Great breakfasts and comfy beds.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2020

Verified traveler

Pleasant

Lovely stay. Great hosts.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2020

Pedro

Keith and Christine were very nice and their place is great, the breakfast was very nice. The only downside for me was that the curtains let too much light into the room and I like a pitch black room to sleep in.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2020

Floraine

Keith and Christine are very good at what they do. Very lovely and warm people that will make you feel at home. The breakfasts were always delightful and filling. The place was always clean and tidy. And the location is close to the beach and the shops yet very peaceful at night. My favourite part about this place is the attention to detail and thoughtfulness of the host. In my many years of traveling I have never seen a hotel with scissors on the table for you to cut open food packaging. Also, there were wet wipes and nail polish remover in our room. Even the safety measures in light of the pandemic was well thought of. We were very impressed.

Thank you very much for taking care of us during our stay Keith and Christine.

-Flo and Andrea

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2020

Verified traveler

Better than home away from home

Better than home away from home -- I don't pamper myself nearly as much as Christine and Keith pamper their guests! Their warm, inviting hostelry is perfectly situated on a quiet street with both the downtown shops and the beach close by, with the bus and rail stations just a ten-minute walk away.

My room was pretty, modern, cheerful and bright, with loads of thoughtful little touches including every toiletry I could possibly need, and water and soda chilling in the little refrigerator for me.

But the highlight was breakfast. Everything was tasty and, though I never had it, they do the full English breakfast, as well as lighter options.

I stayed for five nights and wish I'd had longer, and I will definitely stay here again if I'm lucky enough to find they have a room available.

Self