An intimate hideaway

By the end of the 17th century, it had been bought by the Government of Guernsey to be used as a home for the Lieutenant Governor, the first being Lieutenant General Sir Hew Dalrymple, and it served as his official residence until 1842, hence the hotel’s given name.

Sir Joghn Doyle was appointed Lieutenant General and took residence. In 1837 Sir James Douglas, after whom one of our meeting rooms is now named, was the last Lieutentant Governor to use the house.

John Gardner purchased the property and launched it formally as Old Government House where it was quickly established within Victorian society as “An old and comfortable country mansion”.

On the afternoon of 28th June 1940, German planes attacked St Peter Port Harbour. From 1940 to 1945 the hotel was occupied by German forces where it became their General Staff Headquarters.

On 9th May 1945, the island was liberated by British forces. With the war over, great alterations were made with the hotel enlarged and refurbished by successive owners.

Old Government House Hotel was honoured by the presence of Her Majesty the Queen at luncheon. She and the Duke of Edinburgh were the guests of the States of Guernsey, whose Bailiff, Sir Ambrose Sherwill, received them as the Royal Standard was hoisted.

In our 150th anniversary year, the hotel was acquired by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Another chapter in the illustrious history of this grand old house began with a substantial refurbishment, making sure to retain the fine character and heritage of Guernsey’s most historic hotel.

The Crown Club was purchased, and following a major conversion from the Old Crown Offices, was transformed into a bar, lounge and private meeting space.