The Empress Hotel

The Empress is in a great location. The bus stop from the airport is extremely close (4). This id ideal for exploring the whole island. Staff were very friendly, we dropped off luggage prior to check in. The hotel seems to have recarpeted throughout and underlay very comfortable. Room was a Triple as we travelled as a family of 3 Adults. 3rd bed was a proper single not a pull out. Room was quiet, extremely clean and well maintained. Breakfast was faultless. We ate on 2 occaisions in the Piano bar. Food was excellent, well priced and extrely large portions. Nice to have a real ale on in the bar. We would definately use this hotel again.

We booked our stay to visit family, using our saved Tesco club card vouchers. Unfortunately we had to cancel the trip at short notice due to a family bereavement, and requested both with the hotel direct, and via Hotels.com (as the hotel told us this was the process) that we move our booking to later in the year. We could see that the prices doubled at the time we were asking to move to, so asked to swap our two night stay for one night, which we thought was a fair request under the circumstances. But unfortunately the hotel policy for Tesco club card bookings is strictly non-refundable and non-changeable, under, as it would seem, any circumstances at all. So not only could we get any kind of refund, we could not even move our booking at all. We tried more than once to speak to the manager at the hotel but they simply refused to budge on this. It came to the point that we actually did not want to stay at this hotel anyway due to the cold demeanour of everyone we tried to deal with there. All very distressing on top of what we were already dealing with.... Think long and hard before you book this place...

Very clean, large family room. Breakfast good. Sadly lift out of service while we were there but managed stairs.

We always stay in the Empress Hotel when we visit Douglas. Accessible from ferry and for airport bus. Comfortable and clean hotel with no frills. Bedrooms could probably do with updating but bathrooms in good condition. Friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend hotel to family and friends.