Is this the ultimate dry January stay hotel? Or the perfect spot for the new “dry tripping” trend, swapping margaritas for mocktails?
As there is not a single drop of alcohol at Somerton Lodge, it is certainly easier to resist the temptations of drinking and counteract peer pressure.
Then there is the beautiful rural setting near the beach in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.
The 18-room Somerton Lodge has an “Excellent” rating from Hotels.com and appears to be a good choice for the sober – or soberly curious – traveler.
Owner John Elford is in long-term recovery from alcohol addiction and has been sober for twenty years. He told MailOnline Travel that no alcohol would be sold on the premises – and that the program had proved a success with guests.
Somerton Lodge (pictured) in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight is completely alcohol-free
He described the lodge primarily as “a refuge for people recovering from addiction” that provides a “safe” and “temptation-free” vacation environment without “the pressure of people drinking and asking why you don’t drink.”
But not only was Mr. Elford doesn’t appeal to sober guests, he was also surprised to welcome guests who “never had a problem with alcohol” but want a quiet place without drunkenness or conflict with other guests.
‘“In general, guests appreciate the peace and quiet, the sense of security and the fact that they can completely relax,” he added.
The lodge’s facilities include a library, a garden (pictured), parking, a snack bar and a restaurant where a full breakfast is served every morning
Owner John Elford (above) is in long-term recovery from alcohol addiction and has been sober for twenty years
Mr Elford said that while most people seek an alcohol-free environment and are “great” with it, there is also the odd guest who hasn’t read the hotel information and “is grumpy when they find out we don’t serve alcohol.” .’
Mr Elford added: “But in this case there are lots of lovely pubs in the local village.”
“Every now and then, after the guests have left and we are cleaning up the room, we might find a few bottles or cans in the trash. We agree with this and do not monitor people.
“If they buy back alcohol to drink in any of the public areas, we have to ask them to stop. But if they respect other guests, it’s not a problem.”
Recent reviews on Hotels.com describe Somerton Lodge as “a beautiful Victorian building” with a “great breakfast, pleasant rooms, a lovely shared lounge and friendly and helpful owners”.
According to a recent search on Hotels.com, a double room like the one above costs £58 a night in January
Guest reviews praise the “amazing breakfast” served in the hotel restaurant, as pictured
Joanne rated it 10/10 as “exceptional” and wrote: “Our room was very clean and.” [the] beds [were] very clean and comfortable. The driver was very friendly.’
Former guest ‘Sue’ described her stay as ‘amazing’ and added that she had a ‘beautiful single room’.
In another 10/10 review, “Alan” praised the owner’s knowledge of the island and said he would “definitely come back.”
If guests fancy a drink, Shanklin (above) offers a variety of bars and restaurants
The lodge is open to everyone, but Mr Elford said it was “a retreat for people recovering from addiction”. Pictured: a view towards Shanklin
According to a Hotels.com guest review, the 18-room guest house is “perfectly located” near Shanklin Beach (pictured).
Mr Elford is now launching a second project: a global community of travel agents offering “down-to-earth and secure travel destinations”.
The project, called the Association of International Recovery Tourism (AoIRT), is now open for participation and has already attracted members around the world – from the US to Mexico, Ghana and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
