Maycliffe

Maycliffe Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to Maycliffe on Howard Road, you immediately get the sense that this isn’t your typical seaside hotel. The Victorian building has this understated elegance that feels authentically Shanklin — none of that over-the-top coastal kitsch you sometimes find. What really struck me was how well-maintained everything looked, from the gardens to the paintwork. You can tell the owners actually care about this place, and honestly, that attention to detail shows throughout your entire stay.

Location & Getting Around

The location is genuinely brilliant — I mean, there’s a reason couples rate this place so highly for romantic getaways. You’re in what locals consider the best part of Shanklin, close enough to the Old Village’s thatched cottages and tea rooms that you can easily walk there, but far enough from the busier seafront that you get some peace. The parking situation is actually sorted too, which is a massive relief if you’ve ever tried finding a spot in Shanklin during summer. Having your own space right on-site means you can forget about the car and just enjoy exploring on foot.

The Accommodation

My room was exactly what you’d want from a well-run four-star property — comfortable without being flashy, with those little touches that make a difference. The bed was properly comfortable (you know how hit-or-miss hotel beds can be), and the bathroom had decent water pressure, which honestly matters more than you think after a day walking the coastal paths. What I appreciated most was how quiet everything was — thick walls and good windows mean you actually get a proper night’s sleep, even if there’s a bit of activity outside.

The Shanklin Experience

Being here puts you right in the heart of what makes this part of the Isle of Wight special. The famous Shanklin Chine is literally a few minutes’ walk away — that gorgeous wooded gorge that leads down to the beach feels almost magical, especially in the early morning when it’s quieter. You’re also perfectly positioned for the cliff-top walks toward Sandown, and the Old Village with its picture-perfect thatched buildings is close enough that you’ll probably wander over for afternoon tea at least once. The beach itself is one of the island’s best — proper sand, not just pebbles, and the water’s surprisingly clean.

Why Guests Love It

What sets Maycliffe apart is that perfect balance between professional service and personal attention. The staff know the area inside out and will point you toward the best local walks or recommend which restaurant does the freshest crab sandwiches (trust me, this matters on the Isle of Wight). The 9.8 rating isn’t just numbers — it reflects how this place consistently gets the fundamentals right while adding those personal touches that make you want to come back. Whether you’re here for a romantic weekend or just need a proper base for exploring the island, this feels like the kind of place that understands what travelers actually want, not just what they think they should provide.

Maycliffe Accommodations

Reviews of Maycliffe

• It was a family reunion to celebrate a birthday and Macliffe provided the perfect backdrop. – Paul from United States (10/10)

  Maycliffe is a superb house in a wonderful location. Close to Shanklin and a 20 min walk along the Cliff walk to Sandown.
  The facilities were excellent and we had really enjoyable break

• Fantastic, booking again for next year – Sallie from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Most beautiful property I have ever stayed in with so many extra touches from the hosts. Everything you could possibly want plus things you didn’t even know you wanted!

• Beautiful family get together and our first family holiday with our 4 month old granddaughter . – Paula from United Kingdom (10/10)

  The property was beautiful and clean and had enough space for all my family to get together .

• Superb – Jon from United Kingdom (9/10)

  House was very clean and spacious. Perfect for the family to spread out

• Exceptional house, modern and clean in a superb location!! – Geeta from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Absolutely gorgeous house, furnished to a very high standard and immaculate. When you walk in to this beautiful property which is warm and smells great, you instantly feel comfortable and relaxed. Even the bathrooms were spotless, not a speck of dirt or dust anywhere. The cleaners should be commended for the hard work they do in making this home shine as its a huge house so lots of cleaning, they do an amazing job, thank you! Its in a perfect location, a few steps to the right and you have the most stunning views and then a short but steep walk down to the beautiful beach of Shanklin. The home also has a home gym, steam room and seating for outside dining in a huge garden. Everything about this house was perfect and we had the best weekend celebrating my husbands 50th. A massive thank you to the hosts David and Jayne for it all 🙏🏽 we will be back!

• The perfect house! – Allison from United Kingdom (10/10)

  The standard was high from driving up on the drive! The house was outstanding n spacious! Jayne & David made sure we were all accommodated, special touches like cava, breakfast commodities left for us! The house smelt amazing when we walked in! All 5 bedrooms were used, steam room was fab! The roof bedrooms dorma balconies were state of the art & the views were great!

• Well appointed super place to stay on the coastal path in Shanklin – Jonathan from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Super well appointed house with pretty well everything you might need, including a gym! Thoughtful, open handed hosts for whom nothing was too much trouble. A highly recommended place to stay.

• Exceptional – Terrie from United Kingdom (10/10)

  The house was beautifully decorated and spacious, beds were very comfortable and the gym and steam room were a great touch. The app provided was very informative. The owners were very responsive and friendly. The whole family didn't want to leave!

• Exceptional – Neil from United Kingdom (10/10)

  This place was absolutely stunning, the minute we walked in we were amazed. it was very clean and had so much room. There was 10 of us in the house and you never felt on top of each other. It was a short walk to a lovely beach. The owners couldn't have been more helpful they left a few bits and pieces for us and a bottle of wine which was a nice touch. They Also sent a link to install an app with all the info you need about the house and the area. I would highly recommend this house.

• Very good – Becky from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Great house – good kitchen

Facilities