Reviews of Fort d'Auvergne Hotel, St Helier
Review by P, DURHAM on 23rd April, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 2006-04-23
Good Points: the views were spectacular from the bedrooom, the accommodation was very comfortable and the en suite bathroom was very clean and fresh
Bad Points: the hotel bedroom was a little small and the television was too high up on the wall to view it comfortably.
General Review: Our stay at the fort d'Auveregne Hotel in Jersey was very enjoyable. The views from our hotel bedroom were spectacular. The hotel bedroom was a little small but the sea views from the room made up for that. The bathroom in the room was very clean and fresh. We had asked for a room with a shower rather than a bath and the shower room was excellent. The television was placed too high up on the wall to view it comfortably. The food in the hotel was excellent with a choice of continental or full english breakfast. The staff in the dining room couldn't do enough for you, coming back at regular periods to ask if you wanted more tea, coffee or toast. We were on bed and breakfast only, but the first night we arrived we did have our evening meal in the restaurant, this was excellent value for money with 5 courses for £11.95 per head. Overall, this hotel was excellent value and the staff were friendly, kind and couldn't do enough for you. I would certainly return to this hotel.
Review by Mary Mills on 22nd August, 2005
Add your review Date visited: 22-29th April 2005
I would advise all travellers to get a taxi directly from the airport. We had to wait for a bus in the pouring rain (which lasted most of the week) and, since we had been led to believe that the bus station (not just a bus stop) was next door - had a miserable walk dragging our cases through a deafening and polluted road tunnel with a minute walkway.
The reception and dining room staff were friendly and attentive on a personal level - although (in spite of mentioning the problem) I shared my breakfast table with the same vase of dead carnations throughout the stay. Most guests were either from the British mainland or France -and the atmosphere was of good-natured reserve.
Breakfasts were varied and generous - but the evening meals (served from a carvery) were below average ‘pub standard’ and were often unintentionally cold or lukewarm. The menus were so uninspiring and repetitive, that we had to eat out on quite a few occasions.
I was also bemused by the insistence that we had to stick to a particular table without a sea view, whilst tables with a sea view were left empty! The décor and furnishing was ‘standard hotel emporium’ – and they really should lose the tacky coat of arms and plastic plants in the dining room!
The bedroom was reasonable with en suite shower and loo - but the bed itself felt gritty and itchy - as though someone had been inside it with sandy shoes on.
We had really looked forward to using the hotel swimming pool; the water was very pleasant - although we were rarely joined by other guests. However, the poor standard of workmanship on the tiling and décor stood out a mile and ruined the overall ambience - as did the insistence on piped pop music to accompany our splashing. I had a nasty shock when I got out of the pool and realised that diners could see my flabby figure through equally ill-formed portholes as they ate - not great for their appetite -or this shy swimmer's self-esteem! On the plus side, the staff issued fresh towels for swimming and the loan of a hairdryer throughout the stay.
This part of St Helier is quite shabby and 'out on a limb'. The sea view from the hotel is breathtaking, but vies for attention with two tower blocks, a power station and a working quarry. Lovers of Art Deco architecture will appreciate the open air swimming pool that adjoins the hotel, but it looks sadly neglected at this time of year. Be prepared too, for the sound of loud-mouthed drunks rolling home past your window late at night. Virtually nowhere can remain untouched by the binge-drinking phenomenon – it’s as old as time.
They say 'never go back' and my childhood memory of 1968 Jersey was spoiled by the realisation that modern Jersey folk (or is it tourists?) seem to want the mainland-style mass-entertainment facilities that are springing up over the Island. Thus, the very things that drew me back to Jersey are fading fast – and like so many resorts – it is a victim of its own success.
It was also marred by the appalling weather – and fog at the airport meant we had to take a ferry to Guernsey and then fly home from there. You won’t like this hotel if (like me) you are a fusspot! However, if your budget allows for the use of a car, this hotel is quite adequate - just hope for some sunshine!
Review by Linden Ashley Mitchell on 3rd May, 2005
Add your review Date visited: 30 04 2005
This was a lovely place to stay the staff were friendly and attentive and the food was excellent and well worth the price.The view was marvellous the room was clean and tidy.The town centre was a ten minute walk away and easy to reach.The hotel is well served by a bus service and the hotel will arrange car hire if so required.All in all we enjoyed our stay at Fort d'Auvergne and hope to return again soon.
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