Foresters Hall, 30 Sun Hill, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7HY

The Isle of Wight, located just over 60 miles from London, offers convenient access via the A3 and M3, with a swift Solent crossing from Southampton to Cowes in as little as 28 minutes. Travelers can choose from six ferry routes to the island and benefit from excellent train connections to London and beyond. Cowes is the most northerly port on the island, thus benefitting from practical and easy access to London.

This captivating island boasts over half of its land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it has recently earned UNESCO Biosphere status. The opportunities for inspiration and enjoyment are abundant. With 57 miles of stunning coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to rugged cliffs, there’s something for everyone.

Outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in activities like paddle boarding, sailing, golfing, horse riding, surfing, mountain biking, and paragliding. Meanwhile, a diverse array of attractions awaits, including Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle. The island’s vibrant calendar features a multitude of festivals and events, attracting visitors year-round.

Foresters Hall is nestled in a charming and serene spot within the Conservation Area of Old Town Cowes. It’s a mere stroll away from the bustling High Street, sailing amenities, and the high-speed ferry service to Southampton. The world renowned Royal Yacht Squadron sailing club, whose Admiral until his death in 2021 was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was established in 1815 and is home to many of the finest sailors and sailing events in the world. Being only a 5-minute walk from the Hotel, Foresters Hall attracts much of the Cowes elite sailing traffic.

This coastal town boasts a lively high street, a diverse selection of top-quality restaurants and bars, and frequently hosts sailing regattas and events, including the celebrated Isle of Wight Music Festival every June. Moreover, Cowes is conveniently located just 2 hours from London Waterloo.

All trade fixtures and fittings are included. There are a number of privately owned artworks and books in the hotel which will be excluded from sale however, they may be available subject to separate negotiation. A full list of items are available in the data room.

On the main hotel’s first floor, an elegant period staircase leads to a landing with a charming seating area. From here, there is access to five unique bedrooms, each boasting period characteristics with modern finishes.

In the rear wing divided into The Lodge and The Garden Suites, there are an additional nine bedrooms. Six of these bedrooms offer splendid views over the garden or the harbour entrance and the Solent, extending toward the Hampshire Coast.

The Dining Terrace, nestled within an attractive walled garden paved with brick, can accommodate an additional 40 covers. Stylish outdoor lighting and a fire-pit enhance the ambiance. Beyond the Terrace lies a lawned garden and a beautiful stone-tiled heated swimming pool, complete with adjacent sun deck and sun loungers. Rear service access to Terminus Road provides efficient separation of guest traffic from services to the Hotel (laundry, bin collection, etc.), a rare accommodation for a boutique hotel in an old town environment.

The recently constructed flat roof extension, which now serves as the dining room, was thoughtfully reinforced to allow for further development.

The Hotel offers 14 en-suite bedrooms, ranging from approximately 20 sqm up to 40 sqm, two of which feature wood burning stoves and seven of which feature roll top bathtubs while all feature roomy walk-in showers (other than Room 4 which has a roll top bath with shower over). Each room is thoughtfully equipped with a kettle, fridge, Nespresso coffee machine, and Sony TV screen. Each bedroom is separately temperature-controlled and each has its own bathroom extraction system, as well as key slots to efficiently control the lighting in each room.

The hotel’s amenities extend to a well-appointed commercial kitchen, adjoining the Restaurant, which can accommodate up to 60 covers. An additional Private Dining Room and an Outdoor Terrace enhance the dining experience for up to an additional 50 guests. Meanwhile, the inviting Bar and separate Library provide comfort and relaxation.

Furthermore, the hotel holds a Wedding Licence, with capacity for 30 guests in the Library, 30 in the Private Dining Room and 60 in the Restaurant. The Hotel is well placed for guests being situated very close to Red Jet terminal in West Cowes (3-minute walk) and adjacent the town centre amenities with excellent access to Newport and other places of interest on the island. The owners have continued to reinvest in the property,
including ongoing refurbishment to the bedrooms and public areas. The business continues to enjoy very favourable reviews attracting a high proportion of repeat business.

There is substantial further scope to significantly increase revenue from wedding business and functions including in particular, private events and business gatherings. The Hotel has significant potential to build on its excellent reputation following the re-positioning and develop its range of customer services including conferences.

The business prides itself on impeccable customer service and operates with a core team and a pool of part time staff supplementing the business during peak months.

VALUE ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
There is an attractive opportunity to redevelop a part of the hotel which is currently an empty two - floor high void.

The proposed development (see plan on left) would provide niche spa facilities including workout area plus sauna and shower room to complement the other leisure facilities including the heated outdoor swimming pool.
The proposed development would require planning and listed building consent. As this part of the Hotel looks onto the internal courtyard, approvals are seen as likely.

Freehold/Leasehold

The property is connected to mains water, electricity, drainage, and gas. Gas-fired central heating (with underfloor heating in the dining area) ensures comfort. A pumped hot water system provides immediate hot water throughout. Additionally, there’s a robust fibre Wi-Fi connection (1000Mb) throughout the building that is accessible across the property, both inside and outside.

Foresters Hall: Rateable Value from 1st April 2023 £25,200, but the Hotel enjoys a discounted charge of £3,143.70 for the period 2024/2025.

The hotel benefits from all the necessary licences for the conduct of the business of the Hotel, including a very flexible Isle of Wight Premises License (music – live or recorded – and alcohol from 10am to 2am) and an Isle of Wight Council Wedding Licence from the Isle of Wight Registration Service (www. ). The Food Standards Agency ( has given the Hotel and the Restaurant Food Hygiene Ratings of 5 (the highest) updated as recently as 8 December 2023.