Fountain Inn
Fountain Inn descritpion
The Fountain Inn overlooks the River Medina and has harbor views from its heated patio. It offers free Wi-Fi, a good breakfast and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Located in West Cowes, only a few steps from the ferry terminal, the Fountain is also just one mile from Cowes’ seafront. The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, stayed at the inn with his entourage after a state visit in 1789.
The restaurant serves a wide selection of freshly prepared traditional favorites, and the bar offers some light, tasty snacks and meals. In the summer, guests can eat outside on the terrace.
All bedrooms at the Fountain Inn are decorated in warm tones and have a private bathroom. They also feature a TV, a hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Some have sea views.
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The staff speaks English——Fountain Inn's staff speaks:French,English,German,Arabic
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Facilities of Fountain Inn
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and charges may apply.
Services ：Room Service
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private) | Designated Smoking Area
Languages Spoken ：French | English | German | Arabic
Reviews for Fountain Inn
Review 1：There is NO lift, so popping up and down to the third (Top) floor with bags is a chore. Breakfast room is very cold at this time of year.
Review 2：Perfect location, right next to Red Jet terminal. The breakfast and staff were excellent. Our room was small, clean and cosy, nice views and the windows could be opened for fresh air.
Review 3：The shower wasn't working well, the shower head was tiny and didn't have much power.
Review 4：The room is just the prefect size, with cute sloping ceilings it has a old english feel. Walking down from the rooms into the pub gives a fantastic atmosphere as there is always a quit chat coming from in there. Location is great for this part of town, so close to everything.
Review 5：Because I'm quite tall, I couldn't fit under the shower (the head was broken btw, which I forgot to report) and constantly had to mind my head in the room. The mattress was really soft (I'm used to a hard one), which caused lower back pain in the first few hours of the day. It could've been the temperature outside (which was warm for the time of year), but I also found the blankets too warm, which made sleeping uncomfortable. Make sure to bring ear plugs, as there's usually loud drunk people leaving the pub at night.
Review 6：The staff was really nice and the Inn itself conveniently located. Nice food.
Review 7：Room was very nice, comfy bed, pretty chandeliers. Full English breakfast every morning with tea, toast, cereal, crossiants very good selection, waitress very friendly Near everything - shops, beach and pubs, would visit again :)
Review 8：the room was quite cramped and very hot even with the radiator turned off - We had to open the window which made it noisy and even then still very warm.
Review 9：location
Review 10：Cold water tap in bath not working and hot water tap in sink very hard to get water out had to fiddle about with it. Not able to park at the inn.
Review 11：Good value for money and breakfast was very good, plenty of it as well.
Review 12：The hotel corridors are tired and carpets and paintwork are stained and need a serious makeover. Same with the rooms! More care needs to be taken as seriously, the mattress springs were poking through in our bed and gave me backache! Shame. The food is only standard pub grub and they had run out of Tobasco for my Bloody Mary, unforgivable!
Review 13：The staff are great, friendly and helpful The location is central for business and picturesque with the Marina, the back terrace is perfect for sitting watching the boats messing about on The Solent.
Review 14：No shower gel or shampoo that I could find. Shower wasn't very powerful.
Review 15：Excellent location right next to Red Jet stop; comfortable, clean room; nice bar and restaurant; great selection of breakfast on offer till 10am
Review 16：No problems. Slightly noisy from pubs nearby but it is in the centre so didn't expect anything else.
Review 17：Stayed for a weekend. Lovely room. Friendly staff and good food.
Review 18：Room needed to be warmer, radiator hardly functioning at all, but plumber not available. Description of hotel needs to include the fact that there are 3/4 floors but no lift. Not ideal for elderly visitors. Also available parking is up a steep hill half a mile away
Review 19：Location overlooking Cowes Harbour was excellent
Review 20：On a narrow little street, The Fountain is right in the thick of Cowes. While it it's cool and convenient, it gets noisy. A couple yelling matches, a few delivery trucks and bus traffic woke us. On the other hand, we freely chose to stay in a room above a pub by the ferry dock and noise goes with the territory.
Review 21：After a long journey from U.S., it was so perfect walking off the jet ferry from Southampton, a few short steps to our room. Staff was welcoming. Beer was good. Food was good. Life is good.
Review 22：Right by the ferry passenger terminal so can be a bit noisy in the morning, but if you are up at a reasonable time then it is fine. No parking.
Review 23：Room 11 was lovely. Staff very friendly. Breakfast was good. Location was great.
Review 24：parking and unloading issues. breakfast chef needs retraining .Very busy in pub with minimum staff trying their best.
Review 25：evening meals v good.Room was nice
Review 26：Late night sandwich not possible. On this my fifth+ stay I was suddenly asked to pay at check-in. Odd feeling.
Review 27：Good location for my purpose Nice bar. Really good English breakfast
Review 28：very friendly staff , lovely clean room with 4 poster bed - very quiet . Signed up for Tourist parking permit before arrival so was able to park outside B & B for the whole of our 1 night stay - excellent !! Lovely cooked breakfast made to order - so much nicer than a buffet ! Very centrally located for Shops & Restaurants. Would definitely stay again
Review 29：Tatty and tired throughout; tiny scummy bathrooms; very noisy above bar/street. Furnishings looked as if they had come from a jumble sale.
Review 30：Friendly staff; central location; fair breakfast but nothing special.
Review 31：Lovely room in a great little old hotel with a nice pub frequented by locals I would definitly stay there again, It would be my first choice if I was to back to that area
Review 32：Like many old style pub accommodation, it can be quite noisey in the rooms. We had three rooms booked: one faced the street so had noise of those spilling out from the pub, the other had an exhaust fan from the kitchen outside the window. Suggest bringing ear plugs.
Review 33：Great location and reasonable value for money. Staff very friendly.
Review 34：It was a very hot weekend yet the radiators were all on so the hotel was very hot. The service for food both breakfast and supper was very poor. Food was very slow and had to be chased.
Review 35：Location was perfect
Review 36：The accommodation was superb and very clean. Excellent location in the Heart of Cowes town centre. All staff pleasant and helpful throughout our stay and very charming. Would recommend to anyone of all ages.
Review 37：No lifts and cleaner sprayed over us during two meals. Limited menus and items not available from the menu. Low headroom and cramped rooms
Review 38：The location and view
Review 39：Run out of breakfast on Sunday,one of the staff said it was a regular happening. No lift Breakfast room used as a store for mankey foam cushions,not very hygienic,
Review 40：Position
Review 41：The staff are very welcoming, and my room was really lovely, with two low chandeliers on either side of the bed, and the furniture had the appearance and feel of old oak. The bed was large and comfortable and clean, and I loved the brown patterned bed cover. There are some very good nautical inspired paintings and reproductions in the room and on the landings. The en-suite shower and bath was very adequate with magnifying shaving mirror and non-slip Bath matt. There is even an iron and an ironing board provided and stored in the wardrobe. What was particularly good was the provision of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate with milk and sugar of course, in the room. This is something British Hotels often provide. in other parts of Europe and the world, this very welcome facility is often not provided in the room. The Bar and Restaurant are excellent, and my evening meal from the set menu and specials menu was excellent. Prawn Cocktail and Hunter's Chicken, with a large glass of Red Shiraz. Service was fast and attentive, without being over intrusive. Breakfast is excellent. The very real English breakfast certainly is, with generous portions on a large plate with accompanying toast of White or Brown and coffee and orange juice. The free Cloud Wi-Fi worked very well too.
Review 42：Bar a little impersonal
Review 43：Characterful property with modern rooms, comfy beds and an excellent breakfast. Staff were efficient and friendly and only a 1 minute walk from the ferry terminal. Good value for money
Review 44：Understaffed, difficult to sleep as very hot & very noisy though to be fair it was cowes week. Would had been handy if we were supplied a fan.
Review 45：Shower was a slow trickle, had to use bath instead. No shampoo, conditioner etc Dated furnishing on poor condition. Service at breakfast was poor as was the breakfast itself (didn't have the complimentary breakfast the second day, went to a cafe instead).
Review 46：Bed was comfortable.
Review 47：Breakfast was ok but sometimes a little cold.
Review 48：Fantastic location, right in the heart of the town. Very good bar service. Staff very friendly and helpful. Room 1 is amazing, it costs a little more but it's worth it.
Review 49：The bath mat in room 6 was deadly - it slid about on the bottom of the bath and was very dangerous as there were not even any grab rails
Review 50：Great location for the ferry, nice friendly staff
Review 51：The worst Eggs Benedict I have ever had. The poached eggs were solid and the ham was just horrible. It wasn't very hot either. I would rather have gone elsewhere for breakfast.
Review 52：Comfortable bed. Location Value for money in terms of the room and bed and location
Review 53：Rooms are not very well organised to work. The wifi access is simply too complicated, and I couldn't even get access to the network from my room. In other words, no Wifi.
Review 54：Great location, at the heart of Cowes. Very kind and thoughful staff. Charming hotel, comfortable room, tasty breakfast.
Review 55：We have previously stayed in a Family Room which is brilliant size. However on this occasion we had a double with en suite facilities. As we were only staying 2 nights we found it adequate but it was a small room and I would not have liked to have stayed in that particular room for any longer
Review 56：Location of hotel and the staff were excellent
Review 57：Was not impressed with the cooked breakfast - omelette contained whole vegetables and several burnt chunks of what tasted like saucepan.
Review 58：The bed was very comfortable. Was good to be next to the ferry terminal for the next morning.
Review 59：The only issue was parking - but we knew when we booked it would be town centre parking so no major complaints. My partner drove the car and parked up the street about 5mins walk away.
Review 60：Amazing views of harbour. Bed was amazingly comfy. Staff were lovely. Made our first time in iow wonderful.
Review 61：Almost non-existent water pressure in the shower!
Review 62：Flexibility, helpfulness and friendliness of staff in adapting to our late arrival after a long day's hike from Freshwater Bay!
Review 63：Room quite small, but unless you spend all week in hotel room, doesn't matter so much
Review 64：Great location, harbour views, great round island bus route, catch bus outside hotel
Review 65："Manager" not very friendly.Big pipes from the kitchen pass by the windows with all the kitchen smell and noise, so windows can not be opened
Review 66：the view to the harbour
Review 67：The bathroom was quite dated compared to the room, that was not a problem in itself but the shower was absolutely terrible, very slow dribble and red hot or freezing cold, the sink cold tap was so stiff it was really difficult to open and close. I did complain but nothing was done. Also we left a memory stick in the TV and emailed next day but struggled to get a response from them when we emailed about this and it was not found.
Review 68：Lovely furnishings and seating area in superior double. Friendly staff.
Review 69：Only improvement I could think of would be the shower, in terms of the effectiveness, as the water seemed to only dribble off the shower head.
Review 70：Excellent location, clean room and superb staff! Would definitely visit again!
Review 71：The smell was terribly unpleasant in the pub downstairs. The room faced to the street which was quite noisy during the night.
Review 72：Nice seafood restaurant next door.
Review 73：Doors swing shut loudly so get woken up by doors closing (wouldn't stop us staying again).
Review 74：Great location & staff were very friendly and accomodating. A lovely cooked to order breakfast
Review 75：Very friendly, helpful staff. Good choices for breakfast. Right on main street so a bit noisy at night but will always be the case for centrally located pubs and didn't bother us
Review 76：Good range of breakfast choices but what we had weren't done right. Crocque Madam was more like Welsh Rarebit (albeit with ham - where was the bechamel sauce hmm?) My partner had eggs benedict and they literally exploded with hot water when pierced.
Review 77：Nice characterful building, spacious room booked at last minute. Straight off the red Jet and into their door. Nice evening meal before bed.
Review 78：Steep stairs and no lift (due to age and listed status of building?)
Review 79：Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Felt 'at home' and so close to centre of everything. Right beside West Cowes ferry terminal and very regular, dependable bus service.
Review 80：gave us another room but it didn't have sea view walls were dirty especially the bathroom and shower curtain was disgusting .also very noisy
Review 81：breakfast was hot
Review 82：for long stay could the hotel not arrange to use the town car park on line facility to help their patrons with the parking as a charged service. this would save the customer time and trouble.
Review 83：the room was clean and comfortable
Review 84：If you are in room number 1 you may need to take your own remote control for TV as one supplied to me was not fit for purpose.
Review 85：Staff, rooms food drink and location could not be faulted.
Review 86：My mattress was very cumfy but a couple of slats fell out of the base of the bed so I hope they fis it
Review 87：Have allways been a fan of old English inns and was not disappointed with this one
Review 88：The heavy comforter was too warm for the room, but the bed was very comfortable.
Review 89：The location is in the heart of the business district of Cowes and right at the RedJet ferry.
Review 90：No bad experiences
Review 91：Beautiful location. Staff are superb so friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. Room was small but cosy and the bed was comfy. Restaurant done delicious food. We came away with new friends and will definitely be back xx
Review 92：This was our first visit to the Isle of Wight and, having booked online did not know what to expect. The staff were welcoming and helpful, the bed comfortable and the breakfast satisfying. A pleasure to stay in an old building, full of character, and we will happily stay there again.
Review 93：None really.
Review 94：The staff were friendly and helpful and attentive to our needs. The price was attractive especially given the well presented room and the quality of the breakfast. I would definitely stay there again!
Review 95：The Wi Fi can sometimes be slow in certain rooms this could do with addressing maybe a booster in each floor.
Review 96：Fantastic Staff Great location Amazing Food
Review 97：Having visited before we knew about the parking and where to go but seems a bit tricky the first time.
Review 98：Location is brilliant for Cowes, buses, love boutique rooms. Breakfast is fantastic and dinner could not be faulted for value and quality.
Review 99：The staff were very busy and a bit scatty. We got woken up by ferry fog horns all the way through the night.
Review 100：The staff were accommodating about putting our bikes in our room to keep them secure.
Review 101：Noise from street was quite bad as Windows are not double glazed.
Review 102：Close to ferry terminal and public transport. Excellent value for money. Breakfast was very good and evening meal was very good value.
Review 103：WiFi only connected in bar. Advised cobwebs to 2 members of staff high on ceiling over 2 days, still there when vacated.
Review 104：Great B&B, great staff also great food.
Review 105：hotel seemed shortstaffed wait times for breakfast, restaurant & bar bedroom was too hot at night even with heaters off
Review 106：great location, v easily found, v friendly helpful staff, allowed to check in early, single room v comfortable bed, clean facilities
Review 107：Shower cubicle a bit on the small side in bathroom
Review 108：Very friendly and helpful staff, an excellent superior room with plenty of space, a huge and very comfortable bed and a nice seating area. Lots of choice for breakfast with fresh fruit, yoghurt or a full English, well cooked and tasty. In all excellent value for money and I would certainly stay here again.
Review 109：Even though we stayed during cooler weather, the room was quite warm and with no air conditioning, we had to leave the window open. Unfortunately, the window looked out onto the busy drop off point for the Redjet terminal which was noisy even at night. The rooms were fine but the bathroom was a bit rough around the edges. The hotel interior stairwell shows the building's age.
Review 110：The location of the hotel was great, and the staff were very accommodating. The price was pretty good for the service received. Would recommend to a friend as a cheap weekend overnighter.
Review 111：Couldn't get wifi it was cloud and our server would not recognize it.the shower taps were for us a bit confusing it did take us awhile to get to the right temp. The bed was a bit low ,but these were miner faults.
Review 112：The position to facilities was very good ,off the ferry at W est Cowes and there it was. Also bus outside back door and taxis service. Nice group of shops ,pubs and restaurants in the vicinity,quintessential English fishing village.Hotel restaurant was pretty good too.
Review 113：Walking up 3 flights of stairs as our room was on the top floor.
Review 114：Friendly staff, cosy and comfortable room, excellent breakfasts, good location in Cowes and interesting building and views.
Review 115：Second time to visit the fountain,first time a really great English breakfast.arrived second visit v pleased to hear the same chief. However the best English breakfast to the worst left 75 0/0 both mornings. Would stay at the fountain again but find somewhere else to have breakfast.
Review 116：Location excellent,reception was very good helping where to eat visit etc.
Review 117：our room was right next to a corridor by the staff room, so we could hear people going in and out all night. also the windows didn't seem to close properly so outside noise was loud too
Review 118：great hotel in a great location. staff were so nice and helpful and eager to please and make sure we had a great stay
Review 119：Breakfast not so good,basic items-brown bread, yoghurt, not available some days.Tables not cleaned adequately or enough tables laid-although this might be just one member of staff as another day much better when different staff member on duty.
Review 120：Central location.Room clean and comfortable.Food good and reasonably priced.Staff helpful.
Review 121：Facing the street, we woke to the noise of the street cleaners below. However, this wasn't a major problem and would not at all put us off staying there again.
Review 122：1. Very friendly and helpful staff; in particular Lewis who checked us in and helped us with parking, also Chario who charmingly served us breakfast. 2. Lovely big room 3. Value for Money 4. Location, right in the middle of everything.
Review 123：Can be noisy on a Saturday night. Hotel reception did not fully understand the car parking options and did not provide the best advice. Room 20 at the top of the hotel has limited headroom - customers should be advised about this before booking.
Review 124：Excellent location and close to the Ferry crossing, good value for money
Review 125：No lift Realise the age of the building but very hard to manage all the stairs.They certainly need something
Review 126：Comfortable bed Good location Food lovely Cheerful staff
Review 127：could be a bit noisy with all the comings and goings of red funnel fast jet and buses. would suggest earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Review 128：comfy bed, excellent breakfast, very friendly staff. Good central location.
Review 129：Though bathroom was evidently freshly renewed, door on the shower cabin was broken so it didn't shut tightly leaving a gap. Window lock was also broken so window couldn't be closed tightly; facing bus station, it was quite noisy in the evening and in the morning with constant bus traffic. A big air conditioner block on the wall outside just under the window added fair amount of noise.
Review 130：Very good location; good breakfast; very comfortable beds, rooms have all necessary and are freshly renovated (though keep some nice old furniture and decorations).
Review 131：Would have liked complimentary toiletries in the bathroom ie soap and shampoo.
Review 132：Fantastic location, very comfortable and stylish room. Breakfast included was a huge hit, great way to start your day.
Review 133：The sheets on the single bed didn't fit and so came loose easily and a pillowcase had been put on inside out. The sheet went straight onto the mattress which didn't seem very good.
Review 134：I was expecting something worse from the reviews - don't believe all you read! The breakfast was excellent and the staff serving were attentive and caring. Reception staff were great too. Couldn't get itv on our television and so we were given the key to another room to watch a programme which was helpful.
Review 135：Just a niggle (and common to most hotels): operating the shower fixtures was very much a matter of trial and error and we never completely mastered them (maybe we needed more than a three-night stay to achieve this!?). The wobbly table in the breakfast area that resulted in spilt milk, and the rough wood of some chairs that were a hazard to tights. You can take the eclectic 'mix-and-match' approach a tad too far for comfort. Tables in the breakfast area
Review 136：An excellent, firm bed and good pillows. I slept better than I can remember doing in years, in a hotel (including much pricier places. Friendly and efficient service.
Review 137：Breakfast table filthy, new crockery laid on top of dirty table without wiping it down. Ordered tea and coffee but had to chase up again, waiter thought both these points were amusing. The passageways and doors upstairs have not been decorated for twenty years. Cannot get in bathroom without burning your arm on the heated towel rail, my partner is quite petite. Not sour grapes, have used the place for 30 years and it has definitely hit rock bottom.
Review 138：The Bed
Review 139：Standard room quite small, quite basic. Due to central location and no double glazing even up on 2nd floor there was a fair bit of noise coming from outside till late and again from early. Particularly gristly bit of rump steak served to me for dinner. Pet hate this, the bar area is one of those old-style places where once the smoking ban hit it became apparent that the next strongest smell in the room is the toilets. Probably not noticeable during the cold months, very noticeable on a warm September evening.
Review 140：Central location to Cowes. Girl serving breakfast was particularly bright and sunny of a morning - in a good way. Extremely good eggs benedict.
Review 141：I was at first unsure about the noise from the street - until I realised it was just the bus headed to the ferry. Not a problem as I did not hear anything later in the evening.
Review 142：The staff were delightfully friendly and helpful And the quality of the breakfasts was great - salmon and scrambled eggs were scrummy. I do hope I have reason to go back and sit outside overlooking the moorings!
The Fine Print
This hotel does not have a car park, however parking is available in the town.Please note that full payment is taken at the time of booking.