The Empress Hotel

Beautiful antique sea-front hotel

Pros: Excellent sea-front hotel and dining in central location walkable to all local sights and nearby Onchan. This seems to be the number one hotel in Douglas. Breakfast and bar restaurant both served excellent food quality and quantity. Once we at there, we didn't want to try anywhere else.

Cons: No pool, sauna, or spa. Nor did we see a gym. You cannot really swim at the beach. The check-in process was a bit remiss in that we were not told how to access wifi and breakfast (which we had already paid for). Of course we were able to figure these things out for ourselves later on, but I think reception should have spelled out these details on arrival when guests are already filling in check-in forms, providing ID, obtaining keys. If reception could be a little more helpful on the details that arriving first-time customers need to know, I suggest that will create a better first impression.

Comfortable, lovely staff and great value

Pros: Comfortable, friendly and really well located. Exceptional value for money.

Cons: Nothing! It was a great stay!

The hotel with a beautiful veiw

Pros: The staff were amazing. The food was delicious and very well priced . My room was cleaned every day and was spotless.

Cons: Nothing at all ... only maybe bring sea view rooms down to a cheaper price

A comfortable, well-run hotel with friendly staff abd an excellent location.

Pros: Good location and a reasonable price. It was 'out of season' though so don't know how much it would have been otherwise. Friendly staff. Good to see local hand-pulled ale in a hotel bar, an all too rare occurrence these days. A very comfortable and well-run hotel.

Cons: The fire-alarm went off at one point and people began evacuating their rooms. It was a false alarm. This was a minor irritation and didn't mar my stay. The staff on duty apologised politely and there was no harm done. I noticed that the floor sloped slightly leaving a gap beneath the door. This was a bit disconcerting but didn't lead to a draught or cause a problem with noise. I could hear televisions and voices from other rooms but this did not go on too late and again did not mar my stay.

A functional visit that was most satisfactory and very comfortable.

Pros: Breakfast and evening meals excellently prepared. Staff very friendly. Room comfortable, compact but with all essentials including a bath. Some noisy late night guests returning to rooms one night (of two). Bed good, would have preferred a larger duvet. Location convenient. Happy memories of a wedding reception at hotel some 40 years ago.

Cons: Larger duvet.

Pros: we were expecting bed and breakfast accommodation but were pleased to discover that we could have dinner there too.

Cons: The room was warm and comfortable but it would have been difficult to sit at the desk due to lack of space.

Best on the Island!

Pros: We loved the Empress. She was beautiful and well loved / cared for. She is a relic and deserves the continued care. We enjoyed a beautiful 2 winter nights in the penthouse. Warm, dry, well maintained. All the things needed for a stay. Great views. Comfortable accommodation.

Cons: A bit of old infrastructure as expected in an old building... clunking heaters.

Pros: We have stay before great hotel and service and staff great our Christmas lunch for 17 of us was as always great will stay again no doubt.

Cons: We liked everything.

Pros: Excellent breakfast, spacious room, friendly staff

Really good

Pros: Friendly helpful staff at reception Efficient staff in the breakfast room