Tucked away on the edge of the Isle of Wight, Bembridge Coast Hotel has long been on my radar—but as a local, I’d never thought to treat it as a place for a personal escape. When I spotted their half-day Recharge package at an affordable price, it felt like the perfect opportunity to press pause. No travel, no overnight stay, just a few hours to myself, close to home, with everything I needed to unwind.
As part of my COVID recovery, it offered a gentle, low-pressure way to rest and recharge. Something quiet and nourishing that didn’t require energy I didn’t quite have.
I found my way to the leisure reception, which felt more functional than fancy. But the welcome was warm and efficient, with helpful staff who quickly pointed me in the right direction. A few steps later, I found myself in the changing rooms—clean, if slightly dated—but easy to navigate and well stocked with lockers and hairdryers.
From there, I stepped into the pool area, which to my delight was completely deserted except for a friendly, attentive lifeguard. The air was warm, the pool inviting, and I quickly chose one of the poolside loungers to claim as my base for the morning.
And then… I exhaled.
I began with a gentle swim—nothing structured, just moving through the water at my own pace. The quiet was refreshing in itself. Afterwards, I tried something new: the sauna. I’ve always been more of a shower-and-go person, but I surprised myself by staying in longer than I thought I would. The dry heat was comforting, almost meditative. I may be a convert.
Between dips in the pool and moments in the sauna, I simply rested. I read for pleasure (not work!), sipped cool water, and let myself just be—no phone, no messages, no clock-watching. I could feel the stress melting away, the sense of always having to be ‘on’ gently replaced by something I’ve not felt for a while: calm.
Showered, changed and still wonderfully unhurried, I made my way to The Coffee Nest. I sat in the garden, herbal tea in hand, looking out over the sea and the craggy stretch of Bembridge Ledge. It felt a world away from meetings, inboxes, and to-do lists.
For lunch, I ordered a Caesar salad—light, fresh, and just enough to satisfy before heading home. Though not included in the package, it was a lovely way to round off the morning.
Absolutely. The Recharge package isn’t a luxury spa day with robes and treatments—but it’s not pretending to be. What it offers is something simpler and, in some ways, more powerful: space to pause.
If you’re local (or visiting) and craving a few hours of peace, I’d recommend giving it a go. For me, it was a reset button—one I didn’t realise I needed quite so much until I’d pressed it.