The Isle of Man is one of the most unique destinations you could choose to visit in the United Kingdom. This small island in the Irish Sea is a self-governing “Crown Dependency,” and technically, it’s not even part of the UK. 

Catch a ferry or flight from the mainland, and you’ll soon discover that the Isle of Man has a history and culture apart from the rest of Britain. Locals call their island Mann, and you’ll still hear the legacy of the Gaelic Manx language in the local place names and dialects. 

History runs deep in the Isle of Man, and the island is dotted with Neolithic stone circles, ancient burial mounds, and iron-age hill forts. Viking influence is still strong here: it was the Norse raiders who established the Tynwald, which to this day remains the oldest parliament in the world. 

Visit Castletown and Peel, where you can stand in the stone shadows of mighty medieval fortresses built by the Kings of Manx, and as you do, you’ll begin to understand the fierce sense of identity that makes this island so unique. 

Then, in the 19th century, Victorian holidaymakers “discovered” the Isle of Man. They brought with them electric railways and trams, encouraged the rise of guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, and fell in love with the island’s beaches and mountains. Now you too can follow in their footsteps as you decide where to stay in the Isle of Man!

Where to stay on the Isle of Man

When you’re planning a trip to the Isle of Man, always bear in mind that the island itself is just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide at its greatest extent. This means that inevitably, the accommodation options are going to be limited in number, and if you’re traveling in peak season, you should always book in advance. 

This is particularly important to remember if your trip coincides with the Isle of Man TT event when the entire island is taken over by one of the most famous motorcycle races in the world. 

You also shouldn’t expect to find international chains and large five-star hotels on the island (the highest-rated hotel has four stars). That’s just not the way things are done here, and instead, you’ll have the chance to book independent boutiques, quirky pub hotels, and Victorian-era seaside resorts that have been welcoming tourists for over a century. 

The majority of hotels are set along the iconic seafront promenade that leads along the coast from Douglas, the island’s capital and largest town. Here you’ll find classic Victorian-built townhouses overlooking the Bay of Douglas, with sweeping panoramas from the top floor suites. 

Explore further afield, and you’ll find spa hotels in the countryside, beachfront pubs with homey rooms in Port Erin, and rural retreats and historic hotels in towns like Ramsey and Castletown. Keep reading for our list of the 12 best hotels in the Isle of Man!

The 12 Best Hotels in the Isle of Man

1. Claremont Hotel

The Claremont Hotel is one of the best hotels in the Isle of Man, not least because it’s the only hotel on the island to win the exclusive 4-Star Gold Award. You’ll find the Claremont Hotel is located just a short stroll away from the Irish Sea, and you’ll love the prime position on Loch Promenade in Douglas.

The exterior of the hotel is built in the distinctive seafront style that was particularly popular in Victorian holiday destinations like the Isle of Man. Step inside, though, and you’ll find that while Victorian features like bay windows and high vaulted ceilings have all been well preserved, the luxury on offer is very much 21st century. 

Rooms at the Claremont Hotel are wonderfully spacious, with timber floors and wooden furnishings complementing the bright white decor and dark armchairs. Sit back in your plush king-size bed and flick through the television channels, play music on the Sony speakers, or set up your laptop on the work desk and check your emails using the superfast broadband Wi-Fi. Step into your ensuite, and you’ll find masterfully tiled walk-in showers and a range of luxury Penhaligon toiletries for you to enjoy during your stay.

Start your day with a mighty cooked breakfast at the Claremont Hotel. Go for the full works, complete with fried eggs, sausages, bacon, and potatoes, or opt for a lighter breakfast of smashed avocados and poached eggs on toast. The hotel’s Coast Bar & Brasserie also offers all-day room service and personalized dining in the lounge. 

2. Comis Hotel & Golf Resort

A 10-minute drive from Douglas, the Isle of Man’s capital, brings you to the glorious surroundings of the Comis Hotel & Golf Resort, a four-star boutique stay that’s easily one of the best on the island. 

Comis Hotel & Golf Resort offers the height of holiday luxury on the Isle of Man. This modern spa hotel has 105 boutique rooms arrayed across 200 acres of private land, where you can enjoy an 18-hole Championship golf course and stunning countryside walks.

Arrive at your countryside suite in style with a complimentary transfer from the island’s main ferry terminal or airport. Check into your luxury room, where king-size beds come as standard and where suites feature an upgraded four-poster setup. Embrace the warm but light decor, the Elemis toiletries in the ensuite, and modern amenities like a 42-inch flat-screen television and a personal minibar. 

A stay at the Comis Hotel & Golf Resort is never complete without a spa session. Guests have unlimited access to the top-of-the-range spa, where you can work out in the fully equipped gym before taking a “Thermal Journey” through the heated indoor spa pool, the hot tub, and the treatment rooms. 

Don’t forget to book a table at Snaefell Restaurant, where you’ll be awed by the floor-to-ceiling window views as you enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, and coffee. The hotel’s second restaurant, Le Brulot Bar & Grill, serves up high tea from 5 pm onwards, then light bites and drinks all through the day. 

3. The Rutland Hotel

You couldn’t ask for a more traditional seaside experience than a stay at The Rutland Hotel, which you’ll find in a splendid Victorian building on Queen’s Promenade. 

Through the tall bay windows, you’ll have sweeping views of Douglas Bay as you enjoy afternoon tea or a pint of beer with gorgeous panoramas. The beach is just meters away from the hotel’s entrance, while the center of Douglas is a five-minute drive along the promenade.

Rooms at The Rutland Hotel are three-star rated, offering spacious living areas with sofas, comfortable twin or double beds, and flat-screen televisions. The decor is bright and cheery, with colorful paintings of seaside scenery hanging from the walls. 

The hotel’s restaurant and bar serve up a mighty buffet breakfast that’s sure to set you up for a long day of sightseeing. There’s a buffet-style carvery service, too, which is particularly welcome on a Sunday afternoon when you’re looking for a hearty meal of roast meats and vegetables covered in lashings of gravy!

4. The Empress Hotel

The four-star Empress Hotel is one of the best Isle of Man hotels offering views of Douglas Bay. This lovely hotel offers 104 bedrooms and suites, and we highly recommend upgrading to a sea-view room for the best panoramas along Central Promenade in Douglas. If you’re looking to splurge, then you could go all out and book the Penthouse Suite, which comes complete with a personal viewing balcony.

Regardless of the room type you do opt for, you’ll love how The Empress Hotel combines Victorian-style features – including those spacious bay windows and vaulted ceilings – with modern comforts like a Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine, in-bed USB chargers, and large flat-screen televisions. You’ll have luxury toiletries, a bath and shower combo in the ensuite, and the choice of a double or twin setup in the bedroom.

All guests can enjoy the hearty delights of a cold and hot buffet breakfast that includes everything from granola and cereal to black pudding and hash browns. The Piano Bar then serves brunch, lunch, and dinner options until late, with a varied menu offering everything from Spanish tapas plates to classic fish and chips. 

5. The Chesterhouse Hotel

One of the most unique hotels in the Isle of Man is The Chesterhouse Hotel, which you’ll find along Loch Promenade in the island capital of Douglas. 

The Chesterhouse Hotel offers those classic sea views that we love, and with just 67 rooms and suites available, it’s long been a popular choice on the promenade. In fact, you’ll quickly notice the well-preserved Victorian architecture when you arrive, showing how the hotel has been popular since tourism began on the island. 

Step inside the Chesterhouse Hotel, and you’ll love the bright (if a little old-fashioned) decor and furnishings. There are soft, purple carpets underfoot, mauve drapes covering bay windows, and colorful artworks hanging from the walls. The best suites have large viewing areas and comfy sofas overlooking the Bay of Douglas, where we recommend relaxing with tea or coffee while enjoying the surroundings. 

Downstairs, you’ll find more viewing opportunities in the bar and restaurant’s seating areas, where plush leather sofas are perfect for a relaxed afternoon tea. If you’re particularly hungry, then the restaurant serves up a full carvery that’s bound to keep you fueled for the duration of your Isle of Man getaway.

Check Prices & Availability on Booking.com

6. Shore Hotel

The Shore Hotel is one of the coolest hotels in the Isle of Man, with an unbeatable location overlooking Gansey Bay. It’s the perfect place to explore the Isle of Man’s more rural southwestern coastline, offering local comforts just a short stroll from the sea!

In fact, one of the biggest draws of staying at the Shore Hotel is its exposed and slightly isolated position along the coast. Even in summer, you’ll feel the force of the winds whipping across the Irish Sea, while in winter, you’re in for a blustery stay. 

This unique retreat is as rustic as it comes, and be warned that the hotel’s rooms are located above the pub (first and foremost, the Shore Hotel will always be a pub and bar!). The interior of the pub features salt-sprayed timbers and driftwood furnishings, while the kitchen serves up hearty classics like Chicken Curry and Cod Mornay. There’s even a roaring fire where you can warm up after a walk along the beach.

But the hotel rooms are surprisingly luxurious. The spacious suites are home to large beds and plush sofas, while the best rooms in the house have personal fireplaces. The wooden decor adds to the sense of seamanship. You can gaze out across the Irish Sea through a brass telescope before enjoying the boutique delights of a freestanding bathtub and luxury toiletries.

Check Prices & Availability on Booking.com

7. Ramsey Park Hotel

One of the best hotels in the Isle of Man is the Ramsey Park Hotel, where you’ll quickly fall in love with the location. You’ll find this modern hotel in Ramsey, a coastal town 40 minutes’ drive north of Douglas. 

You’ll love the hotel’s unique position overlooking Mooragh Lake, a small waterway that almost creates a peninsula between the town and the beach. Look one way, and you’ve got superb lakeside views. Look the other, and you’ll see the waves of the Irish Sea crashing into the land. 

This is one of the Isle of Man’s more modern hotels, having only opened its doors in 2012. The exterior architecture is seriously contemporary, yet the colors and design still find a way to keep in tune with the island’s classic Victorian promenade hotels. 

Check into your room, and once you’ve checked out the view, you’ll quickly settle into your super king-sized bed. Rooms are equipped with plush lounge chairs, modern ensuites, and spacious work areas. 

Head back downstairs after you’ve unpacked, and you can enjoy a drink at the Lake View Restaurant’s Piano Bar. If the sun is shining, take your drinks onto the terrace, where you’ll be met with a marvelous panorama of Mooragh Lake. Lake View Restaurant serves up a full a la carte menu of bistro-style classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including pan-fried sea bass, braised beefsteak, and butterbean and sweet potato tagine.

8. The Devonian

The Devonian is one of the coolest and quirkiest hotels you could book on the Isle of Man. Located on Broadway in the center of Douglas, you’ll be staying yards from the beach in one of the island’s best-preserved Victorian townhouses. 

You’ll feel right at home the moment you step into the homey hallway that marks the entrance to this quaint guesthouse. Not only are the Victorian architectural features well-preserved, but the owners have renovated the interiors to resemble that of a 19th-century house, and you’ll love how the decor and drapes wouldn’t be out of place in an Oscar Wilde play. 

The decor borders on eccentricity, and you’ll find the hallways are lined with an absurd number of artworks, all depicting different species of birds. The cozy rooms are laid out like a Jane Austen novel but feature USB chargers, flat-screen televisions, and ensuites. 

The pride of The Devonian is its magnificent breakfast room, where the Victorian theme continues unabashed. Take a seat as the morning sunshine streams from the bay windows, and take your pick of a Full Manx Breakfast, a light eggs benedict, or a toasted breakfast panini. 

9. Carrick Rooms

Carrick Rooms is wonderfully situated in the petit village of Port St Mary along the island’s southern coastline, where you’ll overlook pleasant scenes next to Chapel Beach. 

Port St Mary is a colorful fishing community. It’s the sort of place where you can lose yourself among narrow lanes, spend hours watching the waves roll into the harbor, and hike to weeping viewpoints along the rugged coastline. With just three boutique rooms set in a homey guesthouse, Carrick Rooms offers a local stay right in the heart of Port St Mary.

Each of the three rooms is named for a local coastal landmark, and each of the rooms has been designed with the sea in mind. “Chicken Rock” is named for a rocky landmark, and offers sweeping views over Gansey Bay from its bay windows. 

“Drinking Dragon” is a king-size suite named for another landmark in the Irish Sea, and “Kitterland” is a cozy boutique room whose namesake is a tidal rock in the channel between the Isle of Man and the Calf of Man. Rooms all feature comfy Hypnos mattresses, and breakfast and coffee are served in the Sugarloaf Cafe. 

10. Inglewood

If you’re looking for a home away from home, then Inglewood is one of our favorite hotels on the Isle of Man. Perfectly located along Queens Promenade in Douglas, this hotel’s signature Seaview Suites offer uninterrupted views across the Irish Sea.

We say “hotel,” but Inglewood has more of the classic bed-and-breakfast vibe than you’d expect from a four-star hotel. In fact, this is the only B&B in Douglas to have a four-star rating. That means you can expect all the comforts of a boutique hotel but the service, atmosphere, and hominess of a family-run guesthouse. 

Rooms at Inglewood feature tall windows and sweeping panoramas of the seafront. While the building retains original Victorian-era architectural elements, the decor and furnishings are very much 21st century. There are flat-screen televisions, plush seating areas, and luxury toiletries in the suites. 

Downstairs, you’ll enjoy a hearty start to the day in the hotel’s traditional breakfast room. A full Manx Breakfast, complete with sausages, bacon, eggs, and hash browns is always on the menu, but you can opt for lighter (or, should we say, healthier?) options if you’re here for more than one breakfast!

11. Halvard Hotel

The Halvard Hotel is a fantastic four-star favorite overlooking the Irish Sea in Douglas. Located in a classic Victorian townhouse on Loch Promenade, step inside, and you’ll be awed by the contemporary decor.

The Halvard Hotel does interior design like no other in Douglas. We’d say it’s the closest thing that the Isle of Man has to an art hotel, and you’ll love how each of the boutique rooms features unique paintings and works of art on the walls. Each room is uniquely designed, with contrasting patterns and swirling wallpapers highlighted by purple mood lighting designed to dazzle and excite the senses.

Your stay will be luxurious, too. Rooms feature king-size beds fitted with luxury linens and sofas, and lounge chairs lined with plush and colorful fabrics. Guests are treated to a scrumptious breakfast every morning in The Halvard Restaurant, which then serves up gourmet dinners and fine wines in the evenings. 

12. The George Hotel

Head to Castletown, and you’ll be awed by the sight of Castle Rushen, a monumental piece of local heritage dating back to at least the 10th century AD. Castle Rushen was built by the Kings of Mann, and it served as their seat of power in what is the old capital of the island. 

Book a boutique room at The George Hotel, and you’ll be staying in a historic pub-hotel opposite the castle itself. This is one for history lovers because The George Hotel has been welcoming drinkers and guests since the 19th century. 

There are just 11 homey rooms at The George Hotel, featuring king beds, luxury Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, and grand views of Castle Rushen. Upgrade to a Super King Double or the Family Room for super spacious seating areas nestled next to marvelous Victorian-era bay windows.

You’ll be staying right above the busy pub in the center of Castletown (don’t worry, rooms are soundproofed!), and you’ll love how this pub specializes in great ales and great food. You’ll find an impressive selection of cask ales on tap, including the locally brewed Okell’s. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served throughout the week, with fresh Manx seafood and hearty pub classics like “Homemade Steak and Okell’s Pie” always top of the menu. 

That completes our list of the 12 best Isle of Man hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in the Isle of Man? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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