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Which is the best hotel in Guernsey when comparing the Old Government House Hotel & Spa and the Duke Of Richmond Hotel in Guernsey? If you want to avoid reading our entire article, the answer is that the Old Government House Hotel is, without a doubt, the best luxury hotel in Guernsey.
We have reviewed the Old Government House Hotel in more detail here, and the entrance is pictured above. If you want a better deal, book the Old Government House or the Duke Of Richmond via our luxury travel concierge.
1. Best Location: Old Government House Vs. Duke Of Richmond In Guernsey
While the Old Government House and the Duke Of Richmond are centrally located in St. Peter Port in Guernsey, the Duke of Richmond is a 5-minute walk up the hill from the town center and slightly further inland. The walk is very pleasant through the upper part of Candie Gardens, but it is a fairly steep climb up the hill to the Duke of Richmond, which means that the Old Government House wins on location.
Old Government House is brilliantly located on the edge of the center of St. Peter Port. It is a 2-minute walk up a much smaller hill from the main street and enjoys harbor views and immediate proximity to the waterfront and all the town’s quaint harbourside and streetside restaurants. Its location can’t be beaten, in my opinion.
It is also worth mentioning that there is less in and around the Duke of Richmond. There is a nice garden across from the hotel, but there is little in terms of restaurants and cafes. For those, you must walk down the hill beyond the location of the Old Government House Hotel to get to where the real action happens!
2. Style & Character
The Old Government House Hotel & Spa is the only five-star property in Guernsey and is situated in the heart of St Peter Port with panoramic sea views. It is considered a landmark of luxury and heritage in Guernsey, and the hotel feels classically elegant.
Staying here is almost like stepping back in time or into an Agatha Christie movie. A grandfather clock ticks behind the reception desk as you enter. The marble hall leads to a library area, a brasserie, and a bar beyond, all of which gaze out onto the ever-so-pretty garden that forms the centerpiece of this hotel and comes complete with an inviting pool surrounded by greenery.
This hotel offers a slice of history, and prior to becoming a hotel in 1858, The Old Government House was the official Governor’s residence for the island and the Bailiwick. During World War II, the property was occupied by Germany, and it became their General Staff Headquarters, so the building has interesting historical significance.
This is undoubtedly the best hotel in Guernsey, and its main advantage beyond its location is the setting. This hotel has many welcoming communal areas, and the garden setting makes this hotel stand out over and above the other options in St Peter Port.
The Duke of Richmond has a similarly classic decor but it is not as smart as the Old Government House Hotel and lacks gardens or many communal areas. Here, there is one main restaurant, which is where you have breakfast and can book lunch or an evening meal. This leads onto a terrace and down to a pool on a lower terrace. The decor has an African hue with a big wooden leopard in the hall and lots of zebra and leopard skin prints in the bar, which is different.
While the Duke of Richmond has everything you could need, it misses out on the greenery at the Old Government House and lacks the elegance and the numerous communal spaces offered by the Old Government House (known locally as the OGH).
For me, there is no comparison between these hotels; the Old Government House wins in style and oozes history and character.
3. Pools
Both hotels have a pool, but the Old Government House pool is a sun trap surrounded by greenery. The Duke of Richmond pool is pleasant but set in a lower courtyard with limited area to lounge. It’s sufficient and has a decent pool but lacks the indulgent feel of the space and greenery offered by the OGH pool. The Duke of Richmond pool is fairly basic by comparison.
4. Rooms
The rooms at both hotels are classic in design and are not modern, but they are well-maintained. The sea view rooms at the Duke of Richmond are particularly nice with balconies and views down to the harbour over the trees. At the Old Government House, the views vary depending on which room you get. There are sea view rooms, but many have views out over the pretty streets.
If you are looking for views, the Duke of Richmond Sea View rooms are quite lovely, but overall, the rooms at the Old Government House are more spacious and luxurious.
6. Food & Drink
Breakfast is very good at both hotels with a delicious buffet and a la carte menu with the usual Full English, Eggs Royal, Eggs Florentine, Pancakes, Waffles, etc. on offer. You will not be left hungry at either hotel. The brasserie setting at the Old Government House is a classier setting for breakfast, and the buffet also has the edge with a bowl of berries and a larger variety of fresh fruit and yogurts, however, you will not be left hungry or wanting at either hotel. When it’s sunny, you can enjoy your breakfast in the Old Government House gardens shaded by trees and among the little garden sparrows and robins who hunt around for the crumbs, which is completely idyllic.
We did not try the Duke of Richmond restaurant in the evening, but it sits next to the bar, which is quite dingy. The restaurant does have a nice terrace with views that catch the afternoon sun. At the Old Government House, the brasserie restaurant offers a really tasty menu that is reasonably priced, and there is often a live piano player that adds to the atmosphere.
The bar at the Old Government House offers a lovely setting with big windows overlooking the garden and the harbour and is one of the best bars in Guernsey. Because it is next to the Brasserie, you can also enjoy the tinkling live piano music from the bar.
8. Price
The Old Government House is the most expensive hotel in Guernsey, and rightly so, as it’s easily the best and head and shoulders above the other hotels in Guernsey. The Duke of Richmond is considerably cheaper and, in our opinion, is the second-best hotel in Guernsey. it is a lovely hotel with great staff and a welcoming feel. The breakfast at both hotels is excellent; these are easily the top two hotels in Guernsey.
10. Conclusion
The Old Government House is the best hotel in Guernsey. It is beautifully located and has a lovely historic feel, gorgeous gardens with views, and a great pool. This is a proper 5-star hotel in Guernsey and is ideal for the luxury traveler.
However, if you are on a tight budget, the Duke of Richmond is easily the second-best hotel on Guernsey and offers lovely bright rooms with great sea views (do book the sea view room; we really loved our stay in one of these). It is 4-star rather than 5-star but remains in second place for the best hotel in Guernsey.
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