Villa Amanti

You wake to the sound of gulls wheeling over Ventnor Bay and salt air drifting through the window — this is Isle of Wight coast at its most civilised.

Villa Amanti works for couples after a bit of seaside comfort without the full hotel faff, or friends escaping for a proper break with proper beds. The camping pod option gives you that outdoor feeling with a roof over your head, while the guest house rooms are the traditional B&B route. Ventnor itself clings to the south-facing cliffs — Victorian seafront, quirky shops, that microclimate that makes everything feel a degree or two milder than the rest of the island. You're here for coastal walks, lazy afternoons on the beach, maybe the Botanic Garden up the road.

It's year-round, which tells you something about the shelter and the audience. Check about campfires when you arrive, and dogs are a maybe-yes-maybe-no, so worth an email first. The vibe's grown-up and relaxed — more retreat than adventure basecamp.