Albert Cottage Hotel, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Seeing as the hotel is in the grounds of Osborne House, this splendid residence of Queen Victoria should be top of your list for sightseeing. It is also a prime spot if you have a late arrival or early departure as the Red Funnel ferry terminal is just minutes away. The Classic Boat Museum is a 15-minute walk away on the East Cowes seafront, and Quarr Abbey is a ten-minute drive.

By car: car ferries run regularly from Southampton to East Cowes, Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Ryde and Fishbourne. There is free parking on-site.

By train: trains run regularly from London Victoria and Waterloo to both Southampton and Portsmouth, which are also well-served by trains from Bristol, Oxford and Manchester. Book trains.

It is thought that Albert Cottage was built in the 1940s by master builder Thomas Cubitt, who was also responsible for Queen Victoria's Osborne House. Inside, much of the Victorian grandeur remains, with huge fireplaces, elaborate plasterwork, original floor tiles, period paint colours and antique furniture.

Service is warm, friendly and attentive, and the reception desk can arrange ferry crossings at a preferential rate. Facilities are limited, as you would expect of a hotel of this size, but they can make you a packed lunch, do some laundry and provide room service.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Gardens
• Terrace
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

There are just ten rooms and each is uniquely furnished in varying shades of Victoriana. Expect wooden or wrought iron beds with floral bedspreads and heavy drapes at the windows. Some spacious bathrooms have roll-top baths. Family suites are popular, with a separate twin room for the kids.

Room types: Double and Twin Rooms, Suites, Luxury Double Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with separate bath and shower, TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

The adventurous dinner menu is a crowd-pleaser, with starters such as beer-battered fish cakes with mushy peas and a pickled quail egg and mains such as braised shin of beef, creamed potatoes, mushrooms, baby onions and pancetta. Breakfast includes fish and vegan options among the usual suspects.

The restaurant: modern British cuisine, seasonal menus, roasts. Open daily for breakfast, Mon-Sat for dinner and Wed-Sat for lunch and afternoon tea. Sunday Lunch 12-4pm.