Home from Home Holidays

...I first used 'Home from Home Holidays' last year, when my husband and I booked accomodation with them for our summer holiday break. We have booked with them again this year.

The company claims to have over 25 years of providing holiday accomodation, with experienced and knowledgeable staff. The contact that I have had with the staff, either by email or telephone correspondance has always been efficient and prompt. Emails are answered ...
...also an option to contact home from home directly via email. I have found this aspect to be a useful way to check the availability of specific accomation for specific dates.

Brochure
Brochure requests are dealt with swiftly.

The brochure has a lovely front and back cover, showing photographs of some of the attractions and places on the island.

The first page is a handy map and a list of the accomodation ... more

Those of you who have read some of my reviews already will know how much I love the Isle of Wight, so I thought a review on a company that offers self catering accomodation on the island might be useful.

I first used 'Home from Home Holidays' last year, when my husband and I booked accomodation with them for our summer holiday break. We have booked with them again this year.

The company claims to have over 25 years of providing holiday accomodation, with experienced and knowledgeable staff. The contact that I have had with the staff, either by email or telephone correspondance has always been efficient and prompt. Emails are answered within a day or two and the telephone is always answered promptly. The staff are polite, professional and helpful.

Website - www.hfromh.co.uk
The website is easy to navigate and has useful information, which is presented in a straightforward and helpful way. The website includes details about the accomodation on offer, important IOW events / dates and useful links. There is also an option to contact home from home directly via email. I have found this aspect to be a useful way to check the availability of specific accomation for specific dates.

Brochure
Brochure requests are dealt with swiftly.

The brochure has a lovely front and back cover, showing photographs of some of the attractions and places on the island.

The first page is a handy map and a list of the accomodation that is available in each part of the island. This is useful, as it gives a quick guide to the location of the accomodation and states how many people can be accomodated in each place.

The brochure also includes information about the 'Home from Home' company, key Isle of Wight dates, travel information, a booking form and booking conditions and, of course, information about the accomodation.

The Accomodation

All of the accomodation on offer is self catering. Prices range from £200 to over £1000, depending on the time of year and size of the accomodation. The number of people that can be accomodated range from 2 to 12.The brochure and website provide useful and detailed information about each accomodation, which includes:

• Location
• Type of accomodation (i.e. cottage, apartment, flat etc)
• Number of people it accomodates
• Parking available
• Rooms and available furniture (including things like TV, CD players, microwaves, bathroom facilities etc)
• Outdoor areas
• Whether water, heating, electric, gas costs are included (or not)
• Whether duvets, sheets, towels, tea towels are provided (or not)
• Whether pets are permitted (or not)
• Vacation and Occupation days and times
• Whether smoking is permitted in the accomodation (or not)
• Prices
  There is also a quick reference guide giving the main bullet points and there is at least one photograph showing an aspect of the accomodation, usually more.

This information is repeated on the website.Personally, I have found the accomodation information to be thorough and comprehensive and there is no other information that I would need to know about it.

My only criticism would be that it would be helpful if the brochure and website included a little information about the place where the accomodation is situated, particularly for people new to the island.

Booking
Booking a holiday with 'Home from Home' could not be easier.

1) Choose your accomodation and dates
2) Telephone or email to check availability and to make a provisional booking
3) Complete the booking form and send with £125 (£25.00 non-refundable booking fee; £100.00 refundable deposit)
4) Home from Home send a receipt and tell you how much money is still owing and when this is due
5) Six weeks before arrival, send remaining payment

What Happens Next?

1) 'Home from Home Holidays' then send a final receipt, along with information and directions on how to find the accomodation.
2) Approximately 1 - 2 weeks before arrival, H from H send the keys to your accomodation.
3) Go on holiday and ENJOY.
4) Return keys to H from H before leaving the island.
5) £100.00 deposit is returned to you, providing the accomodation is left in good order.

This all sounds like a smooth operation, but does it really happen like this in reality??

From my own experience, I can definitely say 'YES'. All of the steps detailed above happened for my holiday last year and we have already received the keys for our accomodation when we visit the island next week.

The only disadvantage with this process, is having to return the keys, as the H from H office is only situated on one part of the island, but as the island is so small, it is easy to reach and find. My advice is to plan your last day around Ventnor and surrounding areas, which is the place where the H from H office is located.

The Crow's Nest, Bembridge

This is the accomodation that my husband and I stayed in last year.

To be honest, we were a little dubious, as the accomodation was described as 'a clapper board chalet' and the photograph gave the impression that it was not very sturdy!!

We decided to take a chance, however, as it only cost £275 for a week in August and it was described as being
'A peaceful hideaway, perched 260' up on the edge of Culver Cliff, with stunning views over the beach at Whitecliff Bay.'
It was also a no hassle choice, with bed linen, towels and even beach towels provided and electric, heating and water costs included.

We were not disappointed and the accomodation far exceeded our expectations.

Although tiny and only suitable for 2 people, 'The Crow's Nest' had everything that we needed and was a cosy love nest.

It was decorated in a really tasteful way and the lounge area had floor to ceiling windows. These came in very handy, so we could sit in the lounge gazing at the magnificent and spectacular views across the beach, sea and cliffs. It was lovely just watching the boats sailing past, including some cruise ships, or watching the small planes coming into land on a close-by airfield. We could also see the Bembridge windmill and just about the coast of England on a clear day.

The stars at night were spectacular to observe, as we were in an area with absolutely no outside lights. Although this was a bit tricky to find our way along the path in the pitch black and a torch was a must, it was an exciting experience. The one night we forgot to take the torch with us, we found that mobile phone lights work just as well!!

'The Crow's Nest' has to be one of the islands best kept secrets and it must have some of the best views on the island also. Considering the price that we paid for the accomodation, it was the best choice we could have ever made.

The only disadvantage was car parking, which was in a field, a short walk from the accomodation. Luckily, the weather was dry, so this was not a problem, although in wet weather, it would not be my choice for parking the car. It was lovely to see the rabbits in this field, however, and the H from H brochure does state that car parking is in a field, so it was what we were expecting to do anyway.

In summary, I would definitely recommend booking a holiday to the Isle of Wight with 'Home from Home Holidays' and if there are only two of you, the Crow's Nest is an absolute must. Remember to book the ferry, however, as H from H do not offer this service...Red Funnel seem to work out cheaper than wightlink (www.redfunnel.co.uk or www.wightlink.co.uk) Of course, if you are planning to go without a car, the hovercraft might be worth considering!! (www.hovertravel.co.uk)

We are staying at Verbena Cottage next week. I shall let you know how it compares to the Crow's Nest!! 

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