Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 98

life

FOOD & DRINK

Location, luxury, location
Roz Whistance visits a hotel and spa which
has facilities worth crossing the water for
There has never been a bridge from the
mainland to the Isle of Wight – until now.
The Lakeside Park Hotel is a venue of
such appealing luxury that, once word
gets out, it will draw weekenders, business
conferences and brides-to-be across the
water as if there were a physical link.
That at least is the aim of Robert Tether,
General Manager of Lakeside Park Hotel.
“My personal objective is to get together
with other like-minded hoteliers, the
Tourist Board, and others in the Tourism
industry to really promote the Island.
Obviously here at Lakeside we’re in a
perfect position, near the Fishbourne
ferry terminal and ideally situated
between Ryde and Newport. Why go to
any mainland resort for a weekend break
or a conference when you can come here?”

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Why indeed? The hotel relaxes in its
surroundings of 17 acres of parkland and
20 acres of lake. Just ten minutes from
Newport or Ryde, and a stone’s throw
from the ferry, it is the perfect place to
discover an island of tranquillity and
variety. It is the generosity of the place
that strikes you. The contemporary
glass and timber structure is large but
welcoming, the calm induced by the
watery views making the brasserie an
inviting place to drop in for a lunchtime
meal or simply a sandwich.
“On sunny weekends people are sitting
out on the deck with a latte or glass of
wine from early morning,” says Robert.
“In the summer months you can order
sandwiches and drinks without moving
from the lakeside deck areas.” He adds:

“Our chef, Luke Holder, comes from
a background in arguably one of the
best restaurants in Italy. He’s absolutely
passionate about food. When he’s not
enthusing about Manchester United he’s
talking about cooking.”
The hotel seems almost to float on the
lake which provides the perfect setting
for what started as a well-appointed
restaurant and is now a fully-fledged
hotel, conference centre and wedding
venue, with a spa which puts rivals in
the shade. It is the first hotel on the
Island purpose-built to The AA’s 4 star
standards, and what every Islander should
know is that every luxurious inch of the
brasserie, fine-dining restaurant (due to
open in the spring) and spa is open to
non-residents.

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