My husband and I spent a few days on the Isle of Man as my hobby is family history and I was keen to see some of the locations that my ancestors knew. I was pleased to find Hillcrest because Ramsey was the town with most associations with them and the advertisment for the hotel specified that the ingredients in the breakfasts were all organic which is very important to me. We were delightfully surprised with everything about Hillcrest. It is furnished in the style which it would have been when the house was new, except the bathroom which was very modern. Usually the first thing that I do in a hotel is to put the soap that is provided to one side as it is never of a quality that I would use at home and full of dodgy ingredients that we avoid. However, Aurea provided high quality organic soap which I was very happy to use. The breakfasts spoil you for other places - everything home made, delicious and of course organic. The sound of the juicer and coffee grinder were most welcome in the morning. Also, along with the tea and coffee making things was a little tin where we would find some home made biscuits every day which was very welcome. On the limited time that we had on the Isle of Man we were keen to see and do as much as possible and every question that I had was answered most helpfully by Aurea who even found something out for me unbidden re. my family history researches.

But I am sure that the guests in the other rooms were equally comfortable and cared for. Tony and Aurea obviously take immense pride in the ambience they create so successfully. The house is most defintiely a home and has the relaxed feeling of being at home, and all the creature comforts are on hand as well as wonderful home cooked and carefully selected food. We will be going again!

Let's face it, most of the establishments in the Isle of Man leave something to be desired (I can say that since I grew up there and even worked in one). I was not willing to spend a large amount of money for a shabby room in Douglas and listen to the lager louts parading the promenade at 2am.

I chose Hillcrest House based on the feedback here and am pleased that I did. It was the best B&B I stayed in on my trip to the UK (3 B&Bs).

Situated in the north of the Island, Hillcrest House is actually on the main "mountain road" out of Ramsey. It is set back from the road and the room I had (Clover) was overlooking the rear garden and was exceptionally quiet. The main road is actually part of the TT race course, so there was a little inconvenience because of the MGP practices from 6pm to 9pm, but Aurea (the proprietor) showed me the back way in.

Hillcrest House is lovely. It's like staying in a well kept, lovely Victorian house. Even though I didn't use it, I appreciated the guest's sitting room on the 2nd floor (1st floor in UK speak). Aurea was very helpful and the place was spotless. Even being a single person staying in a room for 2 (and paying the 2 person rate), it was a very good rate (compared to the dumps in Douglas).

The breakfasts were delightful - I loved the freshly squeezed fruit juice concoction and had the full Manx one morning and Kippers the other. No complaints there.

All in all a very good stay. No hesitation to use it again when I return.

We very much enjoyed our three night stay at Hillcrest House. Aurea Greenhalgh made us very welcome: she certainly takes a pride in her hospitality. Her breakfasts were out of this world.
The rooms were clean - and most importantly, not smoking. Some visitors may find the furnishings somewhat gloomy with college prewar photographs and old etchings. That is simply the style of that era!