Local Reviews
In May 2013, Alan D said about Fermain Valley Hotel
We were returning to Guernsey for the first time since our honeymoon there. Having decided to 'push the boat out' a little for this special occassion, we chose the Fermain Valley Hotel. We have just got back from the most amazing week there. Comfortable, clean, relaxed - the superlatives just go on! Chocolates, sherry and fruit in the room every day, and the most wonderful, friendly staff I have ever had the pleasure to come across.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, CHRISTOPHER J said about Fermain Valley Hotel
My friend and I stayed at the Fermain Valley for one night last weekend. It is certainly a very beautiful and well appointed hotel, although we both thought our rooms were very pricey in view of their location. We stayed at the Venue and we were disappointed that our rooms overlooked the road and were directly above the cinema with a pub opposite. The film being shown last Saturday was "Star Wars", which is a long and noisy film. The film was apparently late starting and was still going at about 11.00 p.m. Neither of us was able to sleep and my friend, who was in the noisier of the two rooms had to contact reception three times before he was able to move rooms. It was just fortunate that there was a spare room available. Incidently, we heard no noise from the pub at all!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, Pat G said about Fermain Valley Hotel
Everything was done to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. The extra bathroom facilities for disabled guests made our stay easy, and the swimming pool was a bonus. The decor throughout the public areas is very tasteful. We would certainly like to return, maybe for our golden-wedding anniversary next June. Thank you to all the staff. Pat and John Goodhall.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, Tony D said about Fermain Valley Hotel
The hotel is situated approximately half way between the airport and St Peter Port.
Access to the hotel is down a steep, but short road, with the Hotel's 'Venue' extension at the top of that road.
The hotel was refurbished in 2006 and the result is a high quality location for quiet holidays.
The food is excellent, with more than sufficient choice off of two menus for each sitting. If you aren't on full board, the prices are reasonable, with a two course meal available for £19 pp at the time of posting. Bar prices are equally reasonable, and it was noticeable that Guernsey locals used the restaurants and facilities, which I've always taken to be an implicit recommendation!
The platinum rooms are large, very well appointed and extremely comfortable, but lack a balcony - but the rooms more than make up for the lack! The gold rooms come with a balcony, but are smaller, although just as well appointed, as are the silver rooms, which are almost identical to the gold rooms, but lack a balcony.
All the staff were extremely efficient and friendly.
The manager was considerate and friendly, giving you the impression that nothing was too much trouble .. in fact, on one day when the hotel's shuttle bus was not available, the manager himself turned out in full chauffeurs uniform to drive myself and my partner to catch the boat to Sark for a day out!
If you are disabled or have difficulty walking, then I would recommend you ask for a room in the main building, as the walk to and from the 'Venue' extension at the top of the hill is quite steep, although it passes through a well maintained and attractive garden.
The nearest beach is a 10 minute walk down a quite steep hill, but the reward is a breathtaking, quiet little bay facing towards Herm Island, with a little beach-side cafe that serves reasonable food. A cliff-top path leads from the bay into St Peter Port (about a 40 minute walk), through one of the local attractions, Bluebell Wood.
Highly recommended.
Access to the hotel is down a steep, but short road, with the Hotel's 'Venue' extension at the top of that road.
The hotel was refurbished in 2006 and the result is a high quality location for quiet holidays.
The food is excellent, with more than sufficient choice off of two menus for each sitting. If you aren't on full board, the prices are reasonable, with a two course meal available for £19 pp at the time of posting. Bar prices are equally reasonable, and it was noticeable that Guernsey locals used the restaurants and facilities, which I've always taken to be an implicit recommendation!
The platinum rooms are large, very well appointed and extremely comfortable, but lack a balcony - but the rooms more than make up for the lack! The gold rooms come with a balcony, but are smaller, although just as well appointed, as are the silver rooms, which are almost identical to the gold rooms, but lack a balcony.
All the staff were extremely efficient and friendly.
The manager was considerate and friendly, giving you the impression that nothing was too much trouble .. in fact, on one day when the hotel's shuttle bus was not available, the manager himself turned out in full chauffeurs uniform to drive myself and my partner to catch the boat to Sark for a day out!
If you are disabled or have difficulty walking, then I would recommend you ask for a room in the main building, as the walk to and from the 'Venue' extension at the top of the hill is quite steep, although it passes through a well maintained and attractive garden.
The nearest beach is a 10 minute walk down a quite steep hill, but the reward is a breathtaking, quiet little bay facing towards Herm Island, with a little beach-side cafe that serves reasonable food. A cliff-top path leads from the bay into St Peter Port (about a 40 minute walk), through one of the local attractions, Bluebell Wood.
Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, TwoTravellersEngland said about Fermain Valley Hotel
I won't bore you with the things that other people have written as they are accurate. We had a gold room and it came with a balcony. That option was very nice as the weather was kind and as the hotel has no airconditioning it was nice to open it at night for fresh air. Just a tip if you are disabled make sure you get the ones with extra facilities in the bathroom although I told everyone down the line in the booking process that my husband was disabled we just got a standard bathroom. We managed as it was just for a week but it was not easy. The one down side that marred the experience was that our account was overcharged by quite a lot at £90.00 I got the impression that they were not really sorry just sorry they had been caught out. Be warned and check your bill. If you want a treat go to Hot Rock it is excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, Douglas J said about Fermain Valley Hotel
A good hotel rather "boutique " in style with good food and friendly service.Could do with King size beds .Very surprised that hotel of this standard did not have Sky TV with Sky sports and so was unable to watch important football match. We would not stay there again for this reason alone and we are going to be very regular visitors to Guernsey
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, Susan D said about Fermain Valley Hotel
Stayed here with my elderly Aunty we both had a lovely time.
The rooms are very clean with all essentials provided,the food was excellent.
ALL staff were very helpful and could not do any more for us.
We are now looking to re-book later this year.
Thank you to the Manager and his excellent team!
The rooms are very clean with all essentials provided,the food was excellent.
ALL staff were very helpful and could not do any more for us.
We are now looking to re-book later this year.
Thank you to the Manager and his excellent team!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, jolinbra said about Fermain Valley Hotel
Had a gold room with balcony looking down the valley. The planes fly over the hotel but only a few in the morning Heathrow it ain't. Lovely meals, wine waiter very helpful service just right. Staff very helpful and obviously trained to focus on customer service.
The rooms do not have air conditioning so could be over warm during the warmer weather. Swimming pool clean and when we visited we were the only ones in it.
The rooms do not have air conditioning so could be over warm during the warmer weather. Swimming pool clean and when we visited we were the only ones in it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, KeithFareham said about Fermain Valley Hotel
Stayed at this hotel 11th - 14th May to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary, four days ahead I ordered a bottle of Pol Roger Champagne white label to be in our room on arrival. On arrival at the hotel we waited 2 hours for our Platinum room to be ready, £205 per night, eventually we were shown to our room and surprise, surprise no Champagne and our suitcases had gone missing. When I asked where the bubbly was a bottle was sent for and duly arrived but not what I ordered, now the moment and lustre had gone. Eventually the correct bottle arrived, £74 a bottle and it later transpired that a 4 star restaurant 5 minutes away had the same bottle on the menu for £49.50. Needless to say we did not celebrate our day at the hotel. The hotel itself needs the service level to be raised to match its rooms.Having an expensive room on the front overlooks the bay, nice, but below the window is a door at which during our stay a van collecting laundry on Monday morning was left with its engine running from 0615 to 0635, we did not ask for an early call.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, PeterMarina said about Fermain Valley Hotel
We stayed at this hotel for our wedding anniversary and were impressed by the location (in a quiet valley, with a walk down to a romantic cove with beach bar) plus the great outdoor areas, & (small) swimming pool.
Less impressive, however, was the expensive Platinum room (12) in which we found dated decor, cobwebs, stained carpets and furtinture. The excellent 6ft queen size bed was spoiled by a duvet exactly the same size (no overhang - way too small) and pillows either rock hard or so soft they flatten! This lead to some troubled nights sleep, not helped by the early morning taxis and delivery vehicles right outside the room with engines left running at 6am! (Surely a strict 'no engines before 8am' policy with signs would fix this?). We were also disturbed by the drunken antics of the next room on our last night, though the hotel did stop this after my second phone call of complaint.
There is also some occasional aircraft noise (hotel is on direct flightpath) though this not so serious, - just the odd planes.
One nice touch was the complimentary sherry, - though not being sherry drinkers, we asked for an alternative but were disappointed told no by the reception Mgr... goodness knows how old that sherry in the decanter is...it seems short quite sighted.
We dined in the restaurant twice but at breakfast we were mystified by the missing smoked salmon mentioned on the menu (it's in the fridge, not on the platter with the meat selection - you have to ask for it we were told!) and the restuarant staff frequently got the breakfast order wrong. At dinner on the very first night I was served the wrong fish dish but instead of offering to change it the manageress preferred to argue with customers telling me that I was wrong! There was a poor and surly attitude from a small handfull of staff here (no names) that spoilt the good service from others (Helena, Freddy, Liverpudlian bar man, & West-country receptionist). The restaurant is expensive (especially wine prices!) and I would expect not to have to point out to the young bar man that they are giving short measures on sprits in the bar! (He did later rectify this). Our hire car was also moved without our permission and left unlocked with our valuables inside! The car did have a locking fault, but staff should have told us !
We got the general feeling that some newer members of staff need much more training before being let loose amongst guests, one waitress even claiming they had no egg cups when a lady complained about two boiled eggs siting on a plate, then becoming argumentative about it. All of these issues are not acceptable in this standard of hotel.
I took up these complaints in person with Robert S, the Hotel manager, who seems a nice guy, but clearly has not been taking these problems too seriously as I read previous TA reviews that have highlighted the same problems.
Disappointingly he offered no reduction in our bill or complimenatry items at all, (unless a cup of coffee counts whilst I waited for him?) so I hope he will now tackle these various issues urgently instead of claiming as he did to me that no-one had complained before, and how everyone loves the hotel, which is clearly not true. What is he actually doing to sort it out?
Less impressive, however, was the expensive Platinum room (12) in which we found dated decor, cobwebs, stained carpets and furtinture. The excellent 6ft queen size bed was spoiled by a duvet exactly the same size (no overhang - way too small) and pillows either rock hard or so soft they flatten! This lead to some troubled nights sleep, not helped by the early morning taxis and delivery vehicles right outside the room with engines left running at 6am! (Surely a strict 'no engines before 8am' policy with signs would fix this?). We were also disturbed by the drunken antics of the next room on our last night, though the hotel did stop this after my second phone call of complaint.
There is also some occasional aircraft noise (hotel is on direct flightpath) though this not so serious, - just the odd planes.
One nice touch was the complimentary sherry, - though not being sherry drinkers, we asked for an alternative but were disappointed told no by the reception Mgr... goodness knows how old that sherry in the decanter is...it seems short quite sighted.
We dined in the restaurant twice but at breakfast we were mystified by the missing smoked salmon mentioned on the menu (it's in the fridge, not on the platter with the meat selection - you have to ask for it we were told!) and the restuarant staff frequently got the breakfast order wrong. At dinner on the very first night I was served the wrong fish dish but instead of offering to change it the manageress preferred to argue with customers telling me that I was wrong! There was a poor and surly attitude from a small handfull of staff here (no names) that spoilt the good service from others (Helena, Freddy, Liverpudlian bar man, & West-country receptionist). The restaurant is expensive (especially wine prices!) and I would expect not to have to point out to the young bar man that they are giving short measures on sprits in the bar! (He did later rectify this). Our hire car was also moved without our permission and left unlocked with our valuables inside! The car did have a locking fault, but staff should have told us !
We got the general feeling that some newer members of staff need much more training before being let loose amongst guests, one waitress even claiming they had no egg cups when a lady complained about two boiled eggs siting on a plate, then becoming argumentative about it. All of these issues are not acceptable in this standard of hotel.
I took up these complaints in person with Robert S, the Hotel manager, who seems a nice guy, but clearly has not been taking these problems too seriously as I read previous TA reviews that have highlighted the same problems.
Disappointingly he offered no reduction in our bill or complimenatry items at all, (unless a cup of coffee counts whilst I waited for him?) so I hope he will now tackle these various issues urgently instead of claiming as he did to me that no-one had complained before, and how everyone loves the hotel, which is clearly not true. What is he actually doing to sort it out?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk