The Ocean Hotel Sandown July 2009

Will normally pick one of two hotels in Sandown, which we think are the best, the Ocean Hotel is one of them

The Ocean from the outside is probaby the most Majestic of all the hotels overlooking Sandown beach



But IMO it is important to pay extra for the sea view room, as the hotels official front overlooks the main Sandown road. The main road is narrow and high shop buildings and hotels echo the noises levels beyond belief. However, on the back overlooking the sea totally peaceful. If you intend to go by car speak to the hotel first as the hotel have favourable rates with the ferries and will absorb the complete cost if you stay with them

The hotel has it's own small car park for 25 cars on the right of picture below which is worked on a first come first served basis. But coach parties staying at the hotel would reduce the impact



and it's important to have a car park as parking fees outside start at 10am you can park outside at night and try and bring your car in after breakfast if one failed to get in the night before. fees as of 2009



The rooms inside are like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get. This time we were in the main tower area and the hotel has added another floor level at some time or another, so very high ceiling originally and would have been a grand house



because of this added floor, we had a room that only had the top half of two very large windows



One of which I quickly noticed was sealed and the other on chains only opened about 3 inches



It was a July afternoon when we arrived and the room was already hot, so it was down to reception to ask them to extend the chains. After phone calls to maintenance the old health and safety was quoted, (not sure what Don being a fireman would has said) and I was offered a fan which I declined. If we were to have a heatwave, I had other ideas

Anyway we were reasonably happy with our two strange views of the sea





and of course our room which had had a paintover but very 1960's chip wood paper hiding lumps and bumps although the bathroom had just been completely renovated with new bath and tiles





Shipping lanes were busy and worth taking binoculars and we could see the pier as well



the evening meal was served from 6:30 till about 7:30 for the last sitting and were generally the three course seaside meals eg soup, meat and veg and a pudding all quite adequate



food was served in nice surrounding but a little cramped in the restaurant



There seem to be less local staff now and most seemed to be Eastern European and just did their job

The main hall way shows it was a very grand place but looking tired



but nothing a few million wouldn't put right lol There is a lift to all floors for the elderly





a poor picture of the entertainments room, it does have entertainment but don't hold you breath



The hotel had its own small grounds outside where one could sit in a deckchair for free but with a high hedge no view of the sea



better view of the small car park here







the hotel also had a small swimming pool



Generally summing the place up the Grandeur it must have had in the past have faded but quite a nice seaside hotel but always looking for something better

And then there's the weather which one has to put up with



I will add more info as I find it later

Nice pics have a rep matey

Nice review & photo's, well worth a rep.