What's new on the Isle of Wight
The island’s getting its sandy chic on this summer with a raft of new openings including the UK’s ‘first beach club’.
Panoramic views of the English Channel may not be a boast most beach clubs can make, but Origin can do just that when it opens in July in Sandown, on the Isle of Wight’s southeast coast.
Led by Ana Lucia, formerly with luxury hospitality company Nikki Beach and Puerto Banús’ legendary Ocean Club Marbella, Origin is the first of its kind in the UK. The site comes complete with surf, sand, a swimming pool, restaurant-bars, and some determinedly chic accommodation — plus private yacht moorings to come. Expect just 24 boutique bedrooms with cool nautical tones, some with balconies where hot tubs enjoy ocean — well, Channel — views.
Guests can don a pastel surf poncho by local label Rapanui, settle at a bar stool (inside or out: this is a beach club, after all), order a plate of island seafood, which will undoubtedly transcend the ubiquitous crab sarnie, and a glass of Laurent-Perrier, with whom Origin is rumoured to be partnered, and lap up the island’s newest lux opening. And in true beach club style, music will come
from live bands and top DJs. Who needs Marbella? Rooms start at £350, B&B. visitisleofwight.co.uk
Island openings
The Hut
Colwell Bay welcomes this low-key luxe beach restaurant back for another season, with a new hospitality academy to foster local talent and menus revolving around the island’s wealth of produce. Main courses from £15.
St Helen’s Resort
Within flip-flopping distance of the secluded Priory Bay, two- and three-bedroom beach lodges and luxe caravans are the name of the game here, clustered around a swimming pool. From £147.
Tom’s Ecolodge
More of a country bumpkin than a beach bum? Head inland to these geodesic domes surrounded by the rolling hills of Tapnell Farm. Bed down in safari-style tents, cabins or pods. From £90.
Published in the Jul/Aug 2019 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
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