Egypt Point, Cowes · Hotel
A seafront hotel on the Cowes esplanade at Egypt Point, with a terrace over the Solent, an outdoor pool and easy walking access into the town centre.
The New Holmwood sits right on the water at Egypt Point, on the western edge of Cowes where the esplanade curves round towards Gurnard. The Solent runs past the front windows, which means a constant traffic of yachts, ferries and container ships to watch from the terrace — the single best thing about staying here.
There are 26 rooms across the main building, most of them straightforward and comfortable rather than characterful, with the sea-facing rooms the ones to ask for. Decor is standard modern hotel, well maintained, with tea and coffee facilities, good showers and free parking on site, which is a real advantage in Cowes where street parking is difficult.
Facilities include a restaurant and bar with a wide conservatory frontage, a sun terrace and a small outdoor swimming pool open in the warmer months. Food is unfussy — fish and chips, steaks, local crab in season — and the bar draws locals as well as guests, particularly during sailing events. The hotel is a well-known fixture during Cowes Week and books out far in advance for the first week of August.
It works well as a base for anyone arriving from Southampton on the Red Funnel ferry, since East Cowes is a short chain-ferry hop away and the town centre is a flat 15-minute walk along the front. It suits couples, sailors and families who want a sea view without paying boutique prices. Doubles typically start around £95, climbing steeply during regattas and school holidays.