“She thinks of nothing but the Isle of Wight” - so said literary legend Jane Austen about her love and interest in the island.

And after returning from a four-day minibreak there, it is easy to see why.

Beautiful countryside, a warmer climate and under six miles from the mainland, this gorgeous location has lots to offer.

The island has been back in the news recently after YouTuber and influencer Zoella (real name Zoe Sugg) and her finance Alfie Deyes visited.

But I was ahead of the trend - enjoying a stay earlier this summer after being invited to visit one of coach touring company Daish’s hotels.

The firm runs holidays to coastal towns around the UK and is a popular choice for those looking for a full package, which covers food and entertainment. I opted to stay at their flagship hotel in the charming, seaside village of Shanklin, which is packed full of character with its thatched roofs and traditional tearooms.

The island, which has a population of 145,000, attracts 2.6million tourists a year, according the tourism board. I last visited as a child when my mum surprised my sister by packing us off in the car for a week at a caravan park.

This time round, 28 years later, it was me packing my mum off into the car with my toddler in tow as we headed down to the ferry port in Southampton for the hour-long crossing over to Cowes. It cost around £159 for a return trip which felt a little steep, however it was worth every penny to see my little boy’s excitement standing out on the deck looking out at all the boats.

We arrived in good time and headed down to the hotel where we checked in. Our rooms were clean, spacious and a comfortable base for four nights. I had a look on Tripadvisor for somewhere to go for lunch and ended up at The Hideaway, a sweet, cliff-top cafe with incredible views across the English Channel. The food was classic lunchtime fare, sandwiches and chips served with side salads. We then had a nice walk down to the seafront.

The Isle of Wight may be classified as Hampshire but feels a million miles away from the mainland. The weather is nicer (this is backed up by science, it enjoys its own microclimate), the people friendlier and the scenery is just stunning and in many ways, unspoilt.

Even the Marks and Spencer’s was somehow better. After lunch we hopped in the car for a spot of shopping and enjoyed a good hour browsing the M&S in Church Litten which had a huge range of clothes.

Just a few hours in, I was quickly adjusting to the slower pace of life. It wasn’t long before I was searching Rightmove. Although I quickly came back off it when I realised how long the commute to work would be!

Over the next few days, we used the great location of Shanklin to set off on day trips around the isle. We visited the (free) donkey sanctuary at Wroxall, where you can cuddle some of the best-looked after animals in the country. We spent a fun morning on the beach at Sandown before tucking into a delicious lunch at the Beach Shack. And had a great day at Monkey Haven in Newport, a sanctuary that looks after rejected monkeys.

This is well worth a visit if you are interested in animal conservation. There were a number of talks and interactive sessions where their highly-informed team talks through their work in detail.

In the evenings each night, we were treated to three-course meal back at the hotel. Guests are able to enjoy a half-board package where breakfast and dinner is provided each day. This gave a nice sense of structure for our trip. There were plenty of meal options to choose from and the portions were generous. One evening my husband and I ventured out to a lovely pub called the Folly Inn on the River Medina in East Cowes. There was live music and a pleasant outdoor seating area overlooking the water.

Back at the hotel, each evening there was a lively schedule of events including quizzes, discos and live music. The people on these holidays know how to have a good time - I hope when I reach my later years I have the same vim for hitting the dancefloor and having fun. There was also a breakout area with boardgames for those looking for alternative things to do.

Daish’s Hotel in Shanklin was the first site purchased by the coach touring company when it started in 1979. The building dates back to the 18th Century when it was a coaching inn for the wealthy who descended on the island for holidays. Its history can be felt in the faded but lovely grandeur of the internal building - there are even photographs on the wall of tourists from the 1800s.

The atmosphere in the hotel was warm and welcoming, it is clear many guests return here year after year and there is a sense of camaraderie among the clientele. Despite the fact my little boy was the youngest guest by a good few decades, and prone to the occasional toddler-esque moment, guests and the staff were incredibly welcoming and family friendly. The barman even surprised us with a teddy bear to take home which was thoughtful.

On our final day, we had lunch at the Harbour Kitchen in Cowes. The food and service were great. I wish we had more time in Cowes as there were many interesting independent shops worth exploring.

If you are looking for a family-friendly base to enjoy a break away from the bustle of day-to-day life, this is a great option. The company also promotes multi-generational holidays, making it a popular choice for grandparents and great-grandparents.

In the words of Jane Austen, I am still thinking of the Island and hope to return again soon.

About Daish’s Hotel

The Daish’s Hotel is part of the family-owned UK coach holiday provider Daish’s Holidays and is situated on Shanklin High Street. It was Daish’s very first hotel purchased in 1979.

The hotel was awarded a 2024 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for the 10th year running. The original building dates back to the 18th century when it was coaching inn and guests can still see a number of the period features today.

The hotel has 72 bedrooms and facilities include a coffee shop, a bar and restaurant and ballroom.

Daish’s Hotel hosts a programme of live entertainment every evening which includes cabaret and dancing, bingo, quizzes and games. There is also the option to book excursions and day trips via the hotel.

Prices are from £159 self-drive - £179 coach to £559 self-drive - £579 coach. Early Booking and Kid’s Go Free discounts also apply.

Visit https://www.daishs.com/isle-of-wight/daishs-hotel for more information.