The Townhouse 101

The Townhouse 101 Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to The Townhouse 101 on Station Avenue, you immediately get the sense that this four-star boutique hotel knows exactly what it’s doing. The Victorian facade has been lovingly restored, and there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about the whole place — it’s elegant without trying too hard. When a property consistently scores 9.4 from guests, you know they’re getting the fundamentals right. The attention to detail is evident from the moment you arrive, with carefully maintained gardens and a welcoming entrance that sets the tone for your entire stay.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s what makes Sandown special — it’s got that perfect balance of seaside charm without the overwhelming crowds you’ll find in some of the island’s busier spots. The hotel sits just a stone’s throw from the beach, and the location scores speak for themselves, with couples rating it 9.6. You’re close enough to hear the waves but far enough from the main tourist drag that you actually get some peace and quiet. The train station is practically on your doorstep, which makes island hopping surprisingly easy. The surrounding area offers plenty of coastal walks and local attractions within easy reach.

The Room Experience

The beds here are something special, with guests consistently raving about the sleep quality. The room I stayed in had this lovely mix of period features and modern comfort that actually works, unlike some places that try too hard with the heritage thing. The windows are properly soundproofed, which you’ll appreciate if you’re a light sleeper, and there’s enough space to actually unpack without feeling cramped. The attention to comfort throughout is genuinely impressive. Each room features thoughtfully chosen furnishings and modern amenities that complement the building’s historic character perfectly.

Breakfast & Dining

The full English breakfast here is properly done — none of that sad, lukewarm buffet nonsense you sometimes get at hotels. They’ve got the vegetarian options sorted too, which isn’t always a given at smaller properties. What struck me was the attention to detail — the coffee’s actually good, and they source locally where it makes sense. The dining restaurant has this relaxed atmosphere where you can linger over breakfast without feeling rushed, which sets a nice tone for the day. The seasonal menu changes reflect the best of local produce and island specialties.

Why Guests Love It

There’s something to be said for a hotel that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone but instead focuses on doing the essentials really well. The Townhouse 101 gets the basics right — comfortable beds, great location, decent food, and staff who seem to genuinely care about your stay. It’s the kind of place where couples come back year after year, and you can see why. You’re not paying for flashy amenities you won’t use; you’re paying for a solid, well-run hotel that makes exploring the Isle of Wight feel effortless. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. The combination of personal service, comfortable accommodations, and prime location creates an experience that feels both relaxing and memorable.

To book a hotel on the Isle of Wight before summer ferry rushes, visitors plan ahead to pair cliff hikes with beach sundowners.

The Townhouse 101 Accommodations

Reviews of The Townhouse 101

• Great location, wonderful host and beautiful decor – Constance from Guernsey (10/10)

  The B&B was less than 5 minutes walk from Sandown beach and was well decorated, spotlessly clean and Margaret was a wonderful host!
  There was also free on street parking outside the property and we never had trouble parking.

• Lovely host, great food (and options) and perfect location. – Benjamin from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Louise was lovely and such a great host, breakfast was really nice and the room was perfect!

• Lovely couple, who couldn’t do enough to make us feel welcome. Would definitely recommend this property and would stay a – Anthony from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Lovely clean room and the hosts were fabulous.

• Had such a great time with my friend staying here. Very warm and friendly environment – Hannah from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Margaret was so lovely and helpful when me and my friend stayed in August. She gave us a lot of knowledge and recommendations in what to do and what buses to use. Breakfast was always yummy and on time. Highly recommend

• Looking forward to staying at the Townhouse again. – Pam from United Kingdom (10/10)

  The room was spotlessly clean, Louise was so welcoming and friendly we felt at ease immediately. A 5 minute walk to the high street and beach. Lovely breakfasts every morning served by Louise started our day off nicely. Will definitely stay there again.

• Lovely stay – Steven from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Love the design and interior of the place. Loved the cooked breakfast

• Summing up the proprietor was friendly and it was a good base to explore the island. – Toffeedon from United Kingdom (9/10)

  We found the proprietor, Louise was very friendly and helpful with anything we asked about.
  The choice of breakfast was good, there was a good variety to choose from.
  The room we stayed in, number 5 was tastefully decorated with a sumptuous stand alone bath there was also a separate shower in the bathroom and toiletries were also supplied.

• Overall very good experience – Maria from United Kingdom (8/10)

  We really enjoyed our stay in this B&B which is located minutes from Sandown beach. The hostess was very nice and friendly and the room was uniquely decorated and clean. I also enjoyed the breakfast that was served. Would be happy to come back.

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

  Lovely, helpful and welcoming hosts. The room was absolutely charming, and spotlessly clean.

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

  Lovely breakfast clean and thoughtful host. Great location near to shops, restaurants and beach.

Facilities