Local Reviews
In December 2008, Oxfordwalkers said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
We enjoyed a long weekend in Guernsey at the end of November and, because of friends' recommendations, we stayed at the Old Government House. We wanted to go walking, enjoy some good food, and chill out in the Spa.
We thought the shopping was very ordinary and parts of the island were over-crowded, but the southern cliff top walks were well-signposted, had wonderful scenic views, and just a sufficient challenge for modest walkers like us. Just as we were tiring, we found a beach side cafe/ restaurant, called L'Escalier at Le Couffre. We were surprised the cafe was full, with a great buzz and a roaring log fire. The helpful staff made us feel welcome, the food was fast, fresh and nourishing - and the bill was great value.
We stayed 3 nights at the OGH and enjoyed the comfortable room, the very friendly staff (who were super efficient), and the food. Simon, the General Manager, was a really great host who always seemed to be walking around the hotel chatting to the customers - he had lots of interesting stories to tell us. The best bit was the spa on sunday afternoon - we had the seaweed wrap and massage! The hotel combines an old fashion charm, with very good service and we would certainly recommend it to friends.
David and Julie Bowie
We thought the shopping was very ordinary and parts of the island were over-crowded, but the southern cliff top walks were well-signposted, had wonderful scenic views, and just a sufficient challenge for modest walkers like us. Just as we were tiring, we found a beach side cafe/ restaurant, called L'Escalier at Le Couffre. We were surprised the cafe was full, with a great buzz and a roaring log fire. The helpful staff made us feel welcome, the food was fast, fresh and nourishing - and the bill was great value.
We stayed 3 nights at the OGH and enjoyed the comfortable room, the very friendly staff (who were super efficient), and the food. Simon, the General Manager, was a really great host who always seemed to be walking around the hotel chatting to the customers - he had lots of interesting stories to tell us. The best bit was the spa on sunday afternoon - we had the seaweed wrap and massage! The hotel combines an old fashion charm, with very good service and we would certainly recommend it to friends.
David and Julie Bowie
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2009, LEXYLOO05 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
We came for the weekend and stayed at the amazing Old Government House. We were treated like royalty, nothing was too much. We would like to thank all the staff especially Penelope and Harry as they went above and beyond their call of duty to ensure our stay was the best, nothing was too much effort. Thank you very much for looking after us. We have friends now going in April and July on our recommendation. Certainly more will follow and we will definately be back soon for more pampering. Once again thank you guys we miss your smiles and kindness. with fondest wishes Graham and Alexia Escolar-Cole. xx
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2009, kangarooLymington said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
A magnificent establishment withour parallel. All of the teams are excellent. In particular Mr Harry Seepaul, Director ,Guest Services is the pinnacle of professionalism and hospitality. Head Chef, Jeromme is magnificent. It is one of the few establishments that I would strongly recommend to others. Susan Murphy the Front of House & Revenue Manager is a fine example of how things should be done. This is a seriously good hotel where all guests are special.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2009, HeidiBedfordshire said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
We recently stayed at this hotel for a relaxing birthday break. The hotel was excellent and its customer service, particularly in the restaurants, was exceptional. Everyone was pleasant throughout our 4 day stay including the reception staff, porters, and waiters and all other staff we met throughout the hotel.
The food, both in the charming Brasserie restaurant overlooking the gardens, and in the Governors Restaurant was very good indeed and well worthy of its 2 Rosette status.
Our room, a King with a Sea View, was pleasant and the views delightful.
Guernsey itself is a pretty island, quiet and unspoilt. The shopping centre is pleasant with many well known brands on its High Street. Driving, however, is not easy as many of the roads are narrow and twisting so do take a small car if you need transport.
This proved to be a most enjoyable break. and if we return to Guernsey we will stay at this hotel again.
The food, both in the charming Brasserie restaurant overlooking the gardens, and in the Governors Restaurant was very good indeed and well worthy of its 2 Rosette status.
Our room, a King with a Sea View, was pleasant and the views delightful.
Guernsey itself is a pretty island, quiet and unspoilt. The shopping centre is pleasant with many well known brands on its High Street. Driving, however, is not easy as many of the roads are narrow and twisting so do take a small car if you need transport.
This proved to be a most enjoyable break. and if we return to Guernsey we will stay at this hotel again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2009, Timmy5573 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Spent a long weekend here with the family (7 adults) we wre immediatly made to feel at home but special. In addition to the excellent loction, clean building excellent facilities the staff actually made it that special at every contact they were polite, cared, and always provide a special service. Our last night meal in the brasserie was made even better by Thomas the waiter and the wine waiter always there for you but allowed us time with our own company, they might have invented exceptional service.
Not cheap but good value for money, would always recommend.
Not cheap but good value for money, would always recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2009, Squx said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
It's very rare you go somewhere new for a weekend and end up spending half your time at the hotel - but that's what happened. It's a lovely, relaxing place with friendly, engaging staff (but not in your face like in so many hotels) and some really nice spaces to hang around and read / chat / drink / sweat in the sauna.
I'd also mention that the food is excellent, whether at the Brasserie or at the Governors' restaurant. Best fish soup either side of the Channel. We came with the Gourmet Package which covers use of the spa, reduced double room rates and a full Degustation menu at the Governor's including a different wine for each of the seven courses.
We're definitely going back - fully recommended.
I'd also mention that the food is excellent, whether at the Brasserie or at the Governors' restaurant. Best fish soup either side of the Channel. We came with the Gourmet Package which covers use of the spa, reduced double room rates and a full Degustation menu at the Governor's including a different wine for each of the seven courses.
We're definitely going back - fully recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2009, Bee42 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
I've stayed in various hotels in Guernsey, and OGH is the best by far. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly, the location is fantastic, the breakfast is delicious and the view of the other islands from the Brasserie and garden is spectacular. We will definitely be staying here whenever we come back to Guernsey. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2009, anchmer said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
I stayed with a friend at OGH over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend. Overall the stay was disappointing, but there were a few rays of light.
I booked online directly from the hotel web site, which is something I don't normally do but made an exception given there was a 3-for-2 nights promotion. My first impression of the hotel was excellent, as the pictures on the web are very impressive and my booking was immediately acknowledged. Reception even rang me directly to confirm, as the booking had gone through twice rather than only once, so that was appreciated.
Upon check-in to the room things weren't great though. We had a king room with a sea view. The view was fabulous - very relaxing and wonderful to have the option of opening the balcony door to get the fresh air. The room, however, was anything but fresh. It must have been one of the few still waiting to be redecorated, which is a shame. Although clean, the room was well worn and if given a choice I would have rather had a nice room without the sea view.
The breakfast each morning was very fancy - a warning though, as the breakfast area gets VERY warm! The food was good enough, but the service on our first morning was off-point. We were kept waiting for so long for our food that we had to ask the staff to check on it. The kind waiter returned to say sorry and that our order had been skipped - the food would be right out. He handled it well, but at a hotel and resturant of that caliber I wouldn't expect my order to go missing, and I would have thought the team would be more proactive to see that everyone seated around us was getting their food except for us. No issues on the next morning though.
The front desk staff, although polite, also were a bit disappointing, save for one or two. We tried to use the computer to check in to our flights on line, and given the reaction you would have thought that no one had ever asked to do this before. We also had an issue with noise one evening, as our room seemed to be directly over the event space where an MC was talking on a mic and there was a band until midnight. When we first realised the noise and rang the desk, they didn't really seem to take our concern on-board - they just said that the even would end at midnight. And whilst I'm all for functions and music, I really don't want to have to listen to someone elses until midnight when I am paying over 200GBP per night for a room and want to sleep. After about an hour and three or four phone calls, the manager finally did come to our room and arrange for us to sleep in a different room (a refurbished room - very nice) for the one night.
Overall I would recommend that others stay, as the lobby and location are both great, and the gym is a nice bonus. Other reviews on this hotel, as you can see, are also very positive. However, I would warn people to allow plenty of time for breakfast and to specifically request a room that has been refurbished and which is not located over the function rooms.
I booked online directly from the hotel web site, which is something I don't normally do but made an exception given there was a 3-for-2 nights promotion. My first impression of the hotel was excellent, as the pictures on the web are very impressive and my booking was immediately acknowledged. Reception even rang me directly to confirm, as the booking had gone through twice rather than only once, so that was appreciated.
Upon check-in to the room things weren't great though. We had a king room with a sea view. The view was fabulous - very relaxing and wonderful to have the option of opening the balcony door to get the fresh air. The room, however, was anything but fresh. It must have been one of the few still waiting to be redecorated, which is a shame. Although clean, the room was well worn and if given a choice I would have rather had a nice room without the sea view.
The breakfast each morning was very fancy - a warning though, as the breakfast area gets VERY warm! The food was good enough, but the service on our first morning was off-point. We were kept waiting for so long for our food that we had to ask the staff to check on it. The kind waiter returned to say sorry and that our order had been skipped - the food would be right out. He handled it well, but at a hotel and resturant of that caliber I wouldn't expect my order to go missing, and I would have thought the team would be more proactive to see that everyone seated around us was getting their food except for us. No issues on the next morning though.
The front desk staff, although polite, also were a bit disappointing, save for one or two. We tried to use the computer to check in to our flights on line, and given the reaction you would have thought that no one had ever asked to do this before. We also had an issue with noise one evening, as our room seemed to be directly over the event space where an MC was talking on a mic and there was a band until midnight. When we first realised the noise and rang the desk, they didn't really seem to take our concern on-board - they just said that the even would end at midnight. And whilst I'm all for functions and music, I really don't want to have to listen to someone elses until midnight when I am paying over 200GBP per night for a room and want to sleep. After about an hour and three or four phone calls, the manager finally did come to our room and arrange for us to sleep in a different room (a refurbished room - very nice) for the one night.
Overall I would recommend that others stay, as the lobby and location are both great, and the gym is a nice bonus. Other reviews on this hotel, as you can see, are also very positive. However, I would warn people to allow plenty of time for breakfast and to specifically request a room that has been refurbished and which is not located over the function rooms.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2009, dsp1999 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
We have just returned from a long weekend for my partners birthday. We took the advice from previous reviews and booked a newly decorated room with a sea view and were not disappointed. The price is higher than the other rooms but worth it for a special occassion. We found the staff very helpful and attentive, always a hello when passing and happy to help with any problems or queries. The location enabled us to quickly walk into the centre of town. Gym facilities were good but I didn't get chance to use the pool although it looked very nice. The staff even brought a small cake and birthday card to our room which was a very nice touch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2009, rafkam said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
My company has an office in Guernsey and they have corporate rates with the OGH, which is why I ended up staying here for a night. The location is a highlight, as it’s a very easy walk to downtown. The hotel grounds are very well maintained and the pool did look appealing, despite the less-than-tropical Guernsey weather. This place is also full of history, with grand ballrooms and nice traditional bars.
My room was a refurbished spacious sea view double. The room featured a modern bathroom with shower and bath, and everything was extremely clean. Although it had everything going for it, in terms of the view, the room felt a bit stuffy, with dark carpets, outdated furniture and a general feeling that it was in bad need of a redecoration (despite everything being new). In short, it was adequate, but it felt like the target crowd was definitely senior citizens.
Service was excellent, but I found the breakfast buffet to be lacking in variety. Everything is made to order, which is fine when you have the time, but in my case I didn’t feel like waiting 5 minutes for a few slices of toast.
Based on its exhorbitant prices, I would not recommend this place. The rooms feel like “1950s luxury”. Also, don’t come here looking for a buzzy atmosphere. This hotel is definitely popular with seniors and the most excitement you’ll see will be around high tea time.
My room was a refurbished spacious sea view double. The room featured a modern bathroom with shower and bath, and everything was extremely clean. Although it had everything going for it, in terms of the view, the room felt a bit stuffy, with dark carpets, outdated furniture and a general feeling that it was in bad need of a redecoration (despite everything being new). In short, it was adequate, but it felt like the target crowd was definitely senior citizens.
Service was excellent, but I found the breakfast buffet to be lacking in variety. Everything is made to order, which is fine when you have the time, but in my case I didn’t feel like waiting 5 minutes for a few slices of toast.
Based on its exhorbitant prices, I would not recommend this place. The rooms feel like “1950s luxury”. Also, don’t come here looking for a buzzy atmosphere. This hotel is definitely popular with seniors and the most excitement you’ll see will be around high tea time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk