I thought the Isle of Man was famous for its kippers, so was disappointed that there was no sign of any at the otherwise plentiful buffet breakfast! Otherwise a quite reasonably refurbished hotel, right on the sea front and very convenient for the electric railway to Ramsey and Snaefell (but beware, the railway does not operate in late autumn and winter). The horse trams in summer also stop right outside and can take you as far as the ferry terminal during the day. Worth paying extra for a sea view but the downside is the main promenade road is quite noisy. The staff are polite and friendly. Packages including ferry and hotel are available from the Steam Packet Company and seem very good value, although you have to make your own way from the ferry to the hotel. It's about 25-30 minutes walk. Plenty of places to visit on the Isle of Man but best to go when the railways are operating to make the most of it.

We were there with a coach party. Most of the time there were two other coach parties. The dining room could only just cope with the 120 odd guests and the three person lift and other public rooms could not!. The staff were polite and helpful and the catering was good.
The basic problem with the design of the hotel is that two new narrow four story blocks were built behind the two outer victorian houses leaving a narrow canyon in between. The kitchen is at the bottom of the canyon and is vented, unbelievably, at ground floor level. It should be ducted to roof level. The noise and smell in the canyon and all of its adjoining rooms on four floors is quite unacceptable.The poorly designed fenestration in those rooms adds to the problem as the only adjustable windows are lower panes hinged at the top which scoop in the fumes and reflect the noise.
The 2004 renovation was effected using materials and fittings which have already seen better days. In both of the rooms that we used grout was missing from the bathroom floor tiles, fittings were hanging off the walls or damaged, TV remotes were held together with sellotape, the plastic doors and frames were scuffed and scruffy and the door furniture loose. There is no disabled access and the front steps are a distinct hazard. SLEEPWELL HOTELS need to address these problems urgently.
The manager 'Shri' makes a very good job of getting the best out of this very busy fading hotel. Haylea the restaurant manager performs miracles daily for over a hundred guests in an overcrowded dining room.
This hotel caters for coach parties in the season and independant guests will find it an uphill struggle as will any guest with a disability.

We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights while on holiday August 2011.The hotel is situated on the promenade, and is only a 15 minute walk away from the centre so away from the noise.
The room we had was of a good size, although it did not have a sea view it was quite until 6.30 when a fan started up, it had comfortable beds, sofa, as well as tea & coffee making facilities.the bathroom had a good powerful shower, and the usual toiletries
All meals where buffet style with a good choice I had a full English breakfast but there was also the option of kippers, cereals, fresh fruit with tea or coffee. Dinner was again a buffet style with a choice of basic quality meals that changed every day.
Staff were friendly and helpful we would definitely stay in this three star hotel again.
Stayed in August 2011, Holiday

first morning when we went in the restaurant for breakfast no-one advised us on the routine. we had to sit where we thought was ok, my husband really wanted kippers but after 15 mins of being ignored he decided to find the hot buffet. i found a waitress to ask for coffee which was brought but no milk unless you ask.
food at evening meal resembled school dinners, needless to say we went elsewhere.
the hotel was clean and the rooms lovely but noway would we go back. the website boasted a bar but we found it on our last day, it was in a corner near the breakfast buffet!
staff training is a must in this hotel.