Local Reviews
In November 2010, PushingTheSenses said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
my company has an office close to the hotel and a corporate rate with them (which by the way is still pretty steep), so staying there seemed to be the most sensible thing to do. which leads me to the only really positive thing i can say about it - the best thing about the OGH is its location, an easy walk to the centre of town.
the impression of the hotel is best from the outside. a lot of effort seems to have gone into an apparently recent facelift of the facade. unfortunately, not so much effort was spent on the inside. while it may be historic and some of the public areas try to recreate the good old times, it is not executed in a nice way. rather than having a romantic and charming feel about it, it just seems old and grubby, as there is a strange kind of smell throughout the hotel which i can’t really describe, other than it just smells OLD. my room was not nice. though it seemed to have new furnishings, they were made to look old, which again gave it a rather tacky feel.
overall, i would say the hotel has a strange kind of 50s feel to it that may appeal to the elderly couples the hotel is so full of. and, what’s more, for the price they are asking i would be expecting a lot more!
breakfast is made to order only, which may be nice when you are on a holiday, but doesn’t really suit business travelers who are in a hurry in the morning.
if this is the best hotel in guernsey - so we were told - i am curious about the standard and value for money at the other ones!
the impression of the hotel is best from the outside. a lot of effort seems to have gone into an apparently recent facelift of the facade. unfortunately, not so much effort was spent on the inside. while it may be historic and some of the public areas try to recreate the good old times, it is not executed in a nice way. rather than having a romantic and charming feel about it, it just seems old and grubby, as there is a strange kind of smell throughout the hotel which i can’t really describe, other than it just smells OLD. my room was not nice. though it seemed to have new furnishings, they were made to look old, which again gave it a rather tacky feel.
overall, i would say the hotel has a strange kind of 50s feel to it that may appeal to the elderly couples the hotel is so full of. and, what’s more, for the price they are asking i would be expecting a lot more!
breakfast is made to order only, which may be nice when you are on a holiday, but doesn’t really suit business travelers who are in a hurry in the morning.
if this is the best hotel in guernsey - so we were told - i am curious about the standard and value for money at the other ones!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In November 2010, laretal said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
We have stayed here before and enjoyed it. Our room this time was large, beautifully decorated, well furnished and very comfortable. The service was very good and the hotel is located within easy walking distance of the centre and the front. It offers free wifi.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In November 2010, ZizouandHarriet said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
I stayed at OGH for three nights with my sister and it was a wonderful experience. The room was spacious (we had upgraded to a sea-view room and it was definitely worth it) and the food in both restaurants was exceptional - particularly the degustation menu.
The staff were friendly and attentive. Massage in the spa was good. My only very slight criticism is that we had booked the Potato Peel Pie deal and this was meant to include a themed meal. The meal we had was delicious but nowt to do with the book! Never mind, it didn't spoil the weekend.
We hired a car for the weekend and the staff parked it for us, as apparently the car park is a really tight squeeze. What I would recommend if you're hiring a car is to pay the extra to have no excess on the insurance. I generally think hire car insurance is daylight robbery but I've never been so scared driving as down those narrow walled lanes! I'm used to whizzing round London. I didn't bang the car but my nerves were a bit worn down.
Anyway, back to the hotel. It is expensive but we had the three nights for two deal which made it more affordable and in any case, it was for a special weekend. And you get great service. I would definitely recommend OGH.
The staff were friendly and attentive. Massage in the spa was good. My only very slight criticism is that we had booked the Potato Peel Pie deal and this was meant to include a themed meal. The meal we had was delicious but nowt to do with the book! Never mind, it didn't spoil the weekend.
We hired a car for the weekend and the staff parked it for us, as apparently the car park is a really tight squeeze. What I would recommend if you're hiring a car is to pay the extra to have no excess on the insurance. I generally think hire car insurance is daylight robbery but I've never been so scared driving as down those narrow walled lanes! I'm used to whizzing round London. I didn't bang the car but my nerves were a bit worn down.
Anyway, back to the hotel. It is expensive but we had the three nights for two deal which made it more affordable and in any case, it was for a special weekend. And you get great service. I would definitely recommend OGH.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In February 2012, philip w said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
The hotel offered high levels of service and quality and the staff were delightfull
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In February 2012, NMHastings said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
I stay at the hotel fairly often and have come tor eally appreciate it as the best on the island. The staff are very friendly and eager to help, and the rooms are well equipped. I would add that some of the rooms are quiet small whilst others are huge, so it is worth paying the bit extra for a larger room.
In the smaller rooms the showers are pretty small and not up to the quality of the rest of room or the hotel in general, however apart from that observation there is very little I can fault with the place.
Highly recommended.
In the smaller rooms the showers are pretty small and not up to the quality of the rest of room or the hotel in general, however apart from that observation there is very little I can fault with the place.
Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In February 2014, KellieGuernsey said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
The hotel is very central but I feel for the price you should get slightly larger rooms. The bedroom (Room 202) was very small as was the bathroom. When you spend these kind of prices you are paying because you are planning to spent time in your room and use its facilities. To use the kettle you had to fill it from the bath and then find room on the table as it was kept in the wardrobe. Also the television signal was not good at all.
The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was great. The spa was fully booked on the day we visited which was a shame but our own fault for not booking before arrival.
I just feel that for a 5 star hotel and the prices that they charge the bedrooms need to be bigger I am afraid.
The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was great. The spa was fully booked on the day we visited which was a shame but our own fault for not booking before arrival.
I just feel that for a 5 star hotel and the prices that they charge the bedrooms need to be bigger I am afraid.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2015, markpilbeam said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
had a fab time at the hotel could not fault the service , food , or the staff, great cocktails as well we would highly recommend it for a luxury brake centre to most things we will be most certainly be going again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2015, lowsonfordllama said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Great hotel in a lovely location . We were there with a guide dog in training and they couldn't have been more helpful .
Lots of different places to eat,drink or just relax. A hotel full of little corners of ambience.
The pool is lovely too ; a great temperature.
We had breakfast out on the terrace one morning which is delightful;unfortunately we weren't so lucky with the weather so only managed one breakfast Al fresco.
We tried all the restaurants attached to the hotel and can heartily recommend all of them .All quite different but equally delicious.
We are looking forward to returning.
Lots of different places to eat,drink or just relax. A hotel full of little corners of ambience.
The pool is lovely too ; a great temperature.
We had breakfast out on the terrace one morning which is delightful;unfortunately we weren't so lucky with the weather so only managed one breakfast Al fresco.
We tried all the restaurants attached to the hotel and can heartily recommend all of them .All quite different but equally delicious.
We are looking forward to returning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2015, Bluewater81 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Nice place, beautifully finished, if you like the club/country style. Helpful staff, beautiful lobby and bar area, nice rooms, comfy bed, and lovely restaurant. It's not too stuffy, to boot. My room had a view of the sea (just) and was light and airy, so presumably there are other such rooms at the front of the hotel. Recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2015, Dreamer_girl2013 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Firstly the wow factor. As part of our Silver Wedding celebrations we treated ourselves to a little bit of luxury. The staff were very courteous and attentive, anticipating every whim. The room was a little small but OK for our requirements. Nicely appointed & yes our door key didn't work if you kept it next to your phone, just keep it somewhere else. Turn down service was lovely with home made biscuits on you return after dinner. Staff were friendly and wanting to please.
The room had air-conditioning but on the 1st night of our stay the hotel had wedding guests staying and so the air-conditioning was overloaded. We were incredibly hot and my husband in particular got virtually no sleep. The management did sort this problem out for subsequent nights.
The 'help yourself' breakfast had some excellent choices: cereals, gently poached fruits in syrups, greek yoghurt, fresh soft fruits, honey, and they didn't mind if you went back for seconds. However the cooked breakfast lacked quality. If you'd paid separately for it it was £25, but for 4 items!! Bacon & black pudding was good, the egg was OK (but apart from burning it how can that be done badly) but the sausage was awful. Cooked fine but of sub-standard quality, you know they type with cheap fillers and unmentionable origins. Sorry but I am used to our local butcher's 100% pork sausages at home and from a 5 star establishment I expected the same quality.
Dinner was as expected for 5 star until the presentation of the main menu. Very little choice for someone who hates fish. 4 choices (2 being very similar) if you don't count the 2 veggie options. No poultry, no game. Come on!! My husband and I both chose the 'hand chopped 8oz sirloin' We were asked how we like it cook, rare or medium rare. When the main arrived both thought we had been given the wrong plates. It was presented like a burger !! with the cheese topping!! The waitress pointed out that it was hand chopped but excuse me for mis-understanding, the enjoyment in a sirloin steak is in the texture of a piece of meat, not it being cut into 3mm size pieces. When it said hand chopped I assumed it meant bite sized pieces. And why did they give us steak knives? This bad experience puts a dampener on the special anniversary.
The dessert was very sublime but was served with a common or garden digestive biscuit, would have been much better without or perhaps with a homemade shortbread biscuit.
The wine was absolutely divine, I know my wines and knew it would be exceptional but I didn't appreciate the waitress pointing out the high price in a tone that suggested I may like to choose again because it may not be able to afford it. That aside, I am still enjoying the wine and will do for some time to come.
Would I visit again. Yes, but if they serve me with a burger when I order steak again I will send it back.
The room had air-conditioning but on the 1st night of our stay the hotel had wedding guests staying and so the air-conditioning was overloaded. We were incredibly hot and my husband in particular got virtually no sleep. The management did sort this problem out for subsequent nights.
The 'help yourself' breakfast had some excellent choices: cereals, gently poached fruits in syrups, greek yoghurt, fresh soft fruits, honey, and they didn't mind if you went back for seconds. However the cooked breakfast lacked quality. If you'd paid separately for it it was £25, but for 4 items!! Bacon & black pudding was good, the egg was OK (but apart from burning it how can that be done badly) but the sausage was awful. Cooked fine but of sub-standard quality, you know they type with cheap fillers and unmentionable origins. Sorry but I am used to our local butcher's 100% pork sausages at home and from a 5 star establishment I expected the same quality.
Dinner was as expected for 5 star until the presentation of the main menu. Very little choice for someone who hates fish. 4 choices (2 being very similar) if you don't count the 2 veggie options. No poultry, no game. Come on!! My husband and I both chose the 'hand chopped 8oz sirloin' We were asked how we like it cook, rare or medium rare. When the main arrived both thought we had been given the wrong plates. It was presented like a burger !! with the cheese topping!! The waitress pointed out that it was hand chopped but excuse me for mis-understanding, the enjoyment in a sirloin steak is in the texture of a piece of meat, not it being cut into 3mm size pieces. When it said hand chopped I assumed it meant bite sized pieces. And why did they give us steak knives? This bad experience puts a dampener on the special anniversary.
The dessert was very sublime but was served with a common or garden digestive biscuit, would have been much better without or perhaps with a homemade shortbread biscuit.
The wine was absolutely divine, I know my wines and knew it would be exceptional but I didn't appreciate the waitress pointing out the high price in a tone that suggested I may like to choose again because it may not be able to afford it. That aside, I am still enjoying the wine and will do for some time to come.
Would I visit again. Yes, but if they serve me with a burger when I order steak again I will send it back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk