Local Reviews
In June 2011, ALG027 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
This was our first visit to the island and It feels churlish to offer any criticism of this hotel in view of the almost endless accolades given by previous reviewers. We would agree with almost all of them regarding the attentiveness of the staff and the general ambience of the hotel. I assume these previous reviewers did not book a standard double room. We however did and although we read the review of Bob1949 from November 2010 we thought he possibly might have exaggerated. Wrong! The hotel has a small corridor of rooms that are narrow, cramped and dark. Concierge staff took us and our suitcases to our room and three in the room with suitcase was some what overcrowded. When he offered to put the suitcase on the stand provided we burst into laughter. We stayed four nights and were stir crazy by the time we checked out.
The TV signal was also out of order for the length of our stay -not a huge problem to us but it would have been nice to watch the weather forecast.
The Olive Garden is a lovely room for breakfast with excellent service from the staff. I couldn't understand why when offering a menu service that many items were pre cooked and kept warm so were delivered dry and overcooked. Black pudding biscuit is not what one expects and Eggs Benedict with solid yolks and Hollandaise Sauce with a crust lessens the experience.
Our stay was therefore full of conflicts. We loved the genteel and attentive ambience together with the comfortable feel of the public rooms. We detested our room. Our very strong view is that a standard room at £153 a night is extremely poor value for money. If you want to stay here for either business or leisure you must book a better room and take the hit on price and make a judgement on value for money. We investigated alternatives for when we return for our second visit to Guernsey in September and there are several.
The TV signal was also out of order for the length of our stay -not a huge problem to us but it would have been nice to watch the weather forecast.
The Olive Garden is a lovely room for breakfast with excellent service from the staff. I couldn't understand why when offering a menu service that many items were pre cooked and kept warm so were delivered dry and overcooked. Black pudding biscuit is not what one expects and Eggs Benedict with solid yolks and Hollandaise Sauce with a crust lessens the experience.
Our stay was therefore full of conflicts. We loved the genteel and attentive ambience together with the comfortable feel of the public rooms. We detested our room. Our very strong view is that a standard room at £153 a night is extremely poor value for money. If you want to stay here for either business or leisure you must book a better room and take the hit on price and make a judgement on value for money. We investigated alternatives for when we return for our second visit to Guernsey in September and there are several.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, CarolinexxW said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
On a whim we visited Guernsey for 1 night for my boyfriend's birthday and booked a room in this fabulous hotel just that afternoon. We never normally stay at such expensive and exclusive hotels but as it has had such good reviews and been top of the Tripadvisor list for so long, we decided to give it a go for this special occasion.
And we were so glad we did as we agree with all the positive remarks. Our room - 321 - was apparently newly refrbished which was reflected in the price but it was beautiful and the bed was so comfortable we had a great nights sleep. The service from the staff was impeccable and they couldn't have been more pleasant and helpful. The breakfast was fine and the common rooms tastefully decorated but we didn't have time to enjoy them.
I would highly recommend you try this hotel - even if its only once like us!
Thanks again to them for a memorable night.
And we were so glad we did as we agree with all the positive remarks. Our room - 321 - was apparently newly refrbished which was reflected in the price but it was beautiful and the bed was so comfortable we had a great nights sleep. The service from the staff was impeccable and they couldn't have been more pleasant and helpful. The breakfast was fine and the common rooms tastefully decorated but we didn't have time to enjoy them.
I would highly recommend you try this hotel - even if its only once like us!
Thanks again to them for a memorable night.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, Eve888m said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Just returned to UK after spending 2 nights at this hotel on business. The smell of Lilies as you enter the lobby is over powering. It stinks, they are even on the table when you eat breakfast, the smell reminded me of a funeral. Room was nice, but was kept awake all night by next door's TV. The walls are so thin you hear everything. Staff are very pleasant and always smiling. Quite old fashioned decor and the lounge very wierd in presentation. Wouldn't go back, Duke of Normandie Hotel just down the road is nicer and cheaper.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, mikebailey1965 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Cannot praise this hotel highly enough. Every moment we stayed in the hotel we were treated like royalty. We tried their famous afternoon tea, we had the hotel make us a picnic for a beach day, we used the spa.....nothing was too much trouble, and every aspect was 5 star. We will definitely be back agains soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, francophileonthemove said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
The Old Government House Hotel is in a great location. It's a charming old building with two restaurants and a small but pleasant bar overlooking the garden. My room overlooked the back of the hotel and was comfortable and well equipped. I loved the L'Occitane products in the bathroom and the bed and pillows were fabulous. They probably have the most luxurious dressing gowns I have come across too! I had a wonderful dinner (crab and prawns followed by steak). It was great. My room service breakfast was fabulous too. Great coffee and fantastic croissant. However, Old Government House is an unusual place - perhaps deliberately. They have a wonderful building but someone there has an a great enthusiasm for installing suspended ceiling tiles. They are everywhere and look foul and are completely at odds with the rest of the style of the place - chintzy and homely. They need to style police in! I must confess that I found the formality of the staff a little much in a small place - it's not Paris or New York - so the heavily suited staff (all wearing red carnations?!), especially in the lobby and the restaurant seemed out of place and frankly a bit tacky - it doesn't really work, although my elderly aunt would love it! Nevertheless, I would stay again. The food is great and the bed was fabulous.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, caribbeanskipper said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Like ALG027 we too found our bedroom very small. In fact based on his review we did attempt to up-grade on arrival but sadly they could only offer us a larger room or suite for one night, then it would have meant changing to the SMALL bedroom, so we didn't bother. So if you like a bit of elbow room I suggest you book early. That was really our only observation, we have no complaints, it is a world-class hotel, you'll be taken very good care of. Just one other thing, breakfast, it was a bit hit and miss, one day perfect the next not so good but I'm confident that if I'd have said something they would have prepared me another breakfast. Nice place, nice people running it. By the way try The Swan around the corner, a lovely pub serving wonderful food at affordable prices and real ale.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2011, Boterkaasje said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Wow - this is such a great hotel. superb service, food (even at the pool!) and staff. Classic but comfortable luxurieus rooms. Love it!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2011, Stev057 said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Its all been said before so I will keep it brief.
Welcome and Service faultless, especially round the pool.
Food/Breakfast very good.
Our room was a standard double, very clean maybe a bit small and basic for some but it was fine for us and wouldnt hesitate in having a standard double next time.
Our lasting impression is of the staff - polite, attentive, friendly etc etc, the brasserie manager even remembered our names.
I would not even consider looking anywherte else.
Thank you OGH, see you soon.
Welcome and Service faultless, especially round the pool.
Food/Breakfast very good.
Our room was a standard double, very clean maybe a bit small and basic for some but it was fine for us and wouldnt hesitate in having a standard double next time.
Our lasting impression is of the staff - polite, attentive, friendly etc etc, the brasserie manager even remembered our names.
I would not even consider looking anywherte else.
Thank you OGH, see you soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2011, ausbiz said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
I stayed at the hotel from 20.7. to 31.7.11. I was there to attend the Town Carnival (staff will remember me as I am a big fan of the Tropikal Vizions Steel band) They also played at the hotel on Wednesday evening, 27.7.11 and everyone loved it. I hope they will be back next year.
The room was cosy, the bed and pillows comfortable I had a great night sleep. I liked the tea and coffee making facilities. The cooked breakfast was good I also had "Continental". Late Lunch at the Brasserie (Steak and vegetables) was just perfect and the ice cream was amazing. Room service was excellent I had the house made sandwiches when I didn't feel like going out.
I would like to say "Thank you". The whole team was very friendly and helpful.
The room was cosy, the bed and pillows comfortable I had a great night sleep. I liked the tea and coffee making facilities. The cooked breakfast was good I also had "Continental". Late Lunch at the Brasserie (Steak and vegetables) was just perfect and the ice cream was amazing. Room service was excellent I had the house made sandwiches when I didn't feel like going out.
I would like to say "Thank you". The whole team was very friendly and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2011, pclarkBerkshire said about Old Government House Hotel & Spa
Just returned from 7 nights at the Old Government House where, on the whole we had a wonderful time. Every single member of the staff we met was courteous and only too willing to help in any way - it's impressive to visit a hotel where within two days every member of staff you encounter knows your name!
Although our room was not the largest (by any means) it was comfortable, well maintained and luckily had a sea view.
I would certainly recommend this hotel though I would concur with the earlier review regarding the "quantity" of the portion of smoked haddock offered at breakfast. We had a inclusive breakfast rate but if I had been asked to pay extra for that particular breakfast option I would certainly have complained - the kipper option was much better value and more substantial.
A small complaint but one that should not put you off visiting what is another excellent Red Carnation Hotel.
Although our room was not the largest (by any means) it was comfortable, well maintained and luckily had a sea view.
I would certainly recommend this hotel though I would concur with the earlier review regarding the "quantity" of the portion of smoked haddock offered at breakfast. We had a inclusive breakfast rate but if I had been asked to pay extra for that particular breakfast option I would certainly have complained - the kipper option was much better value and more substantial.
A small complaint but one that should not put you off visiting what is another excellent Red Carnation Hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk