A luxury Isle of Wight hotel with panoramic sea views could see further works to enhance its services and customer experience.
A2K Leisure LLP has applied to the Isle of Wight Council for planning permission to install a new entrance to the restaurant and bar in Freshwater Bay’s Albion Hotel, create an external kitchen storage space and remove a bin store.
The proposals follow an extensive 2023/24 renovation of the hotel which opened in Summer 2024.
Setting out the plans, a Heritage Statement prepared by Modh Design Ltd reads:
“Utilising an area to the west of the service area of the hotel, a covered external walkway leading to an external kitchen store would provide additional kitchen storage space required.
“The covered walkway allows for members of staff to easily access the kitchen store during service hours.
“The kitchen store is proposed to utilise the existing retaining wall and have timber panels and painted rendered walls with the roof material proposed to be a single ply membrane flat roof with gravel laid on top.
“The infill extensions for the restaurant and bar utilise existing roof overhangs with glazed doors and windows to provide entrance lobbies to the public areas of the hotel.
Article continues below this advertisement “These lobbies will provide a wind shield for the internal dining spaces and will improve the presence of the entrances on the elevations without having an impact on the overall footprint of the building.”
The document added materials used for the works are ‘in line’ with those already part of the building and mentioned in the Freshwater Bay Conservation Area Appraisal. Proposals would also have no major effect on the ‘overall street scene’, while bringing tourism, economic growth and employment opportunities to Freshwater Bay.
A public consultation on the application finishes on 31st December and a council decision is expected on 22nd January.
Massively overpriced,and staff are getting sacked left right and centre for doing the slightest thing wrong,kitchen is unworkable,so called management have no people skills whatsoever,wages are bare minimum,avoid this poncy place like the plague!
Don’t worry it won’t survive in the current
Economic climate.
My guess like many other hotels around the
Country, it will be used for other services.
Nice hotel, but in today’s Labour run country
I predict the hotel will struggle, especially after
the recent budget.
Such a shame.
Its got no sole and so expensive be closed in a year or so or sooner..
Oh my oh my, you get funnier every day
I am not as funny as IW Council or the
current Government.
They are the real comedians.
Can’t wait to receive next years Council tax
Bill.
That will be a laugh
Ye i’ve just seen ..be alright if it was shoes or feet involved ..at least i made you laugh
Did they make any money this Year? so expensive £250 plus a night!! i could get a nicer experience in italy on the lakes with with those prices..as i saw this year when i was there.
That would also include travelling costs.
It’s the Isle of Wight, it’s not Brighton
trying to charge Grand Hotel prices won’t work
might get the odd 1 or 2 nighters,
hardly a place to stay for a fortnight.
This once decaying building is now smart and inviting. It is in such a wonderful natural location, probably one of the best in the South East of England (In my opinion). The investment that has been made is immense and is reflected in the finish both inside and out. My husband and I stayed for two nights as a birthday treat. (We live on the island). The owners, and staff could not do enough for us, service was fabulous. (On going in house training was visibly being carried out). In the Hotel and Catering industry to those who both know and understand it, there will always be a turnaround of staff. Either due to the seasons, or individuals not really wanting to the job (or being bothered to learn) what this industry requires. I hope the planning goes forward, and that the owners continue to be successful. The green eyed, know it all monsters will alway have their negative views. Sadly due to the recent change in government, businesses and people wanting to employ more people or expand are being crushed and bled out of existence. Watch unemployment sky rocket, oh wait… plenty of newcomers sill arriving daily waiting for the remaining pensioners/taxpayers to pick up the tab.
Sadly with low wages being paid on the island
it will only benefit from Mainlanders visiting this
Hotel, and toi be honest the last budget was
so powerful, even many mainlanders are watching
their pennies.