I’ll never forget the drive over to the Isle of Wight – or rather, the ferry crossing that nearly did me in. We’d piled into the car at Portsmouth, kids buzzing with excitement, me behind the wheel trying to look like I had it all under control. But as we queued for the Wightlink ferry, disaster struck: the sat-nav decided to throw a wobbly and sent us on a wild goose chase around the port. We missed the first sailing by minutes, and there I was, red-faced, apologising to the family while the seagulls laughed overhead. Still, by the time we finally chugged across the Solent, the sea breeze whipping through the open windows, that anticipation bubbled up again. Ventnor was calling, and I could practically taste the sea salt already.

Pulling up to our holiday spot in Ventnor felt like stumbling into a hidden gem. It’s this cracking first-floor apartment in a converted church, tucked away in the heart of the Victorian seaside resort. We hauled our bags up those external steps – me grumbling about the extra cardio after all those ferry snacks – and as the door swung open, blimey, what a first impression. The open-plan living space hit us like a warm hug: huge original church windows flooding the place with light, high ceilings that made you feel like you’d stepped into something properly special. It’s stylish without being fussy, perfect for our family of six, with luxury furnishings that screamed ‘relax here’.

We dumped the bags and straight into the kitchen – well-equipped doesn’t cover it, with a dishwasher and washing machine that had me punching the air. I rustled up some pasta while the kids claimed the reading nook, and we ate at the big table for six, windows framing the twinkling lights of Ventnor below. First impressions? Spot on. That freestanding bath called to me later; after a day of travel chaos, sinking into it with a glass of fizz was pure bliss, heated towel rail and all. The bedrooms sealed the deal – two kings (one with its own en-suite) and a twin, all comfy with memory foam and posh bedding. We slept like logs, lulled by the distant waves.

Next morning, we wandered out into the Isle of Wight AONB, right on our doorstep. Ventnor Beach was a five-minute stroll – we paddled in the shallows, kids building epic sandcastles while I failed hilariously at kayaking (note to self: practice balance). The coastal paths were calling too; we did a gentle clifftop walk with views that knocked the socks off any postcard. Lunch at the Smoking Lobster by the harbour? Fresh seafood that melted in your mouth – no cooking required. We popped into the Botanical Gardens, marvelling at the exotic plants, and even squeezed in a visit to the nearby Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. Those rescued donkeys tugging at your heartstrings? Adorable, and the kids were smitten.

Looking back, that ferry faff was the perfect icebreaker – turned our holiday into a proper adventure. Staying here in Ventnor reminded me how sometimes the best trips come with a bit of chaos upfront. If you’re after a stylish base to unwind and explore, this is it. We’re already plotting a return.