One of a clutch of imposing 19th century mansions built in Totland by wealthy Victorians who flocked to the Isle of Wight in the wake of Queen Victoria’s move there, Sentry Mead’s grand, ever so slightly gothic, turreted exterior is a complete contrast to the informal atmosphere inside. You’ll find it in a quiet leafy avenue - just yards from one of West Wight’s most unspoiled beaches complete with a famous old pier – alongside more of its ilk. But step inside and you’ll find Sentry Mead Hotel a pretty inclusive place, welcoming to couples, children and dogs as well as to Isle of Wight locals who come to eat in the hotel restaurant.
Food is a big thing at Sentry Mead Hotel. Every day chef Jon Groom dreams up wildly imaginative menus for the restaurant, which overlooks Sentry Mead’s colourful gardens. As a result, it has built up an enviable reputation in the five years since Sarah Langford and Jean-Pierre Kujawa took the hotel over. Among the biggest draws are the restaurant’s evening events and the hugely popular Sunday lunches.
Both Sarah and Jean-Pierre have hotels in their blood: she grew up in one and he has spent much of his adult life working in them around the world. This gives them a very clear idea of what they want to achieve at Sentry Mead. “A country house hotel by the seaside, elegant in style but unashamedly friendly and relaxed,” explains Sarah. One of many nice touches is the link with the local Earl Mountbatten hospice which means that every bedroom comes with its own teddy bear, available to buy and take away as a memory of a stay at Sentry Mead Hotel.
Throughout their time at Sentry Mead, the pair have industriously recycled waste and cut their energy consumption, putting in place procedures to cut the hotel’s carbon footprint. “It really becomes a way of life and even little things can make a big difference,” says Jean-Pierre.
