feature
Island Life - April/May 2010
of an Island workforce. We had a lot of
Two sitting rooms, a dining room,
great local craftsmen and found them
conservatory leading to the terrace
relaxed. People stay for a weekend, short
trustworthy and reliable. In six months
with panoramic views out to sea. The
break or longer holiday making Hillside
we did more than 16 man years in labour.
accommodation comprises 12 bedrooms
their base whilst exploring the island.
As a Grade II listed house it was
important to use local skills and
for 21 guests.
Gert reflects “with a project like this
enjoy coming to and feel welcome and
Food is freshly cooked using best
local produce and already islanders are
knowledge and to consult planning and
you have to be involved yourselves. You
enjoying the restaurant with their friends
conservation to carry out the work to the
have to be on site and on top of the
and family. Hillside have set menus
highest standards. We have so much to
many details and daily decisions and we
with a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian
thank those guys for, because without
lived at Hillside throughout the project,
changing throughout the week. The chef
them it would not have been possible.
sometimes with no heating, electricity or
cooks for those who book, hence the
There was pride in their work. Not only
water.
phrase used in the Hillside advertising
did they like their work, but they liked
It has been a lifelong dream to have a
“you book, we cook” and nothing is
Hillside. One major part of the project
small hotel overlooking the sea. It’s a
wasted. It’s a close knit environment says
was to move tons of soil and debris from
project driven by the heart and hopefully
Gert smiling, we have dedicated team
the downs that had fallen into the back
we’ll have brain enough to survive – and
members who work with us all year.
of the house resulting in major work
all respect given to those who do this for
on retaining walls as well as extensive
a living..
landscaping.
Within six months the work had been
completed and the new Hillside was
unveiled. Not surprisingly, the whole
Projects like this always have an element
of surprise, but the craftsmen and locals
This is just the start, let’s see in 20 years
how things have worked out. You can’t
make things happen too quickly – it all
takes time.
guided us through.
We’re here because it’s our choice, this
Contact: Hillside, 151 Mitchell Avenue,
property has a touch of Scandinavia
is what we want to do. So when guests
Ventnor, Isle of Wight. PO38 1DR.
– minimalistic with white walls,
arrive, they meet people who would not
Tel: 01983 852271
complemented by bold modern art
rather be doing something else. We’re
throughout and icon furniture. There are
here because we love it and its part of our
[email protected]
no heavy drapes to be found at Hillside
style of life.
www.hillsideventnor.co.uk
– instead white blinds complement the
original features.
Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com
We’ve opened up the house for all to
enjoy and we hope it’s a place people will
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