Herm Island White House Hotel

The all experience not good… myself and my other half went for a formal night in the hotel restaurant… over priced and didn’t taste very good. We came in October which was excellent but maybe a new team? The island itself was amazing experience and the we couldn’t fault the rooms. Come but don’t eat!!!

We stayed in Sea Campion Cottage for 3 nights. To be recommended. Very well equipped. Great views from extra large window. Very clean. Luggage was delivered and picked up as arranged. We were entirely self-catering so had no experience of the pubs, cafe or restaurants. Our only disappointment with our stay was the shop. We were close to the end of the season and glad to have brought our own provisions from Guernsey as the shop was running down its stocks of anything worthwhile.

The hotel sitting room has been ‘revamped’ now only low chairs . Elderly &disabled not catered for. Restaurant food certainly no longer ‘gourmet’. That stopped pre covid. £49.99 for 3 courses plus £4.99 for veg. The staff all over the island are amazing and so helpful. Rooms little tired and this visit not too clean. Visiting for 20yrs but if we make it 21 we will have to see.

We came for the gourmet this weekend which wasn’t fantastic.. we came last year which was better and not so rushed. The potion sizes were tiny even for a taster menu. Maybe get back the chef from last year. It’s a really Shame about this island hotel - it was good once a upon time.

We spent two nights at the White House for our mini moon after our wedding. It was utterly perfect and peaceful. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner in the conservatory and cocktails in the bar. Check in and check out were easy and all the staff were helpful

Disliked - Two AA Rosette Conservatory Restaurant I quote the details stated in the hotel literature “ gourmet dining at the two AA Rosette Conservatory Restaurant there is plenty of choice. First class dining with the freshest local produce and a daily changing specials menu (please see samples in our downloads section below). Guests are requested to please respect the smart / casual dress code – please no ripped jeans, trainers, track suits or flip flops.” Actual experience. Whilst guests are requested to attend in a particular smart dress, the Staff and head waiter were not in uniform and just any casual dress, The menu at £39.95 for a table d’hote menu was just terrible, the choice of starters was pretentious and complicated. Evidently the menus had not changed all season. The service was so slow as most tables had to wait for their main courses and deserts. We waited 45 minutes for our deserts. After so many complaints, the menu was finally changed but to my surprise I noted that while some of the dishes on the menu had been changed and the price for table d’hote menu was bumped up from £39.95 to £49.95. The most expensive table d’hote menu of all the hotels we stayed at. One last comment having spoken to staff about our stay and the problems in the restaurant they confirmed that the food and restaurant was a major complaint problem by guests in the hotel, and that nothing had been done about it all season. Disliked - A 4 star hotel ?? The hotel is not a 4 star product at all and it is doubtful a 3 star. It is very evident from comments made to us from a number of guests who regularly stay as I is the only hotel on the island the hotel it is living on its past reputation, as I noted that all the comments on the web site are from the years 2019 to 2021 when the hotel was obviously at a much better standard.

Ok , the whole experience of staying here was very nice , except for the dinner in the Conservatory restaurant. I have to say for £50 a head it was a disappointment to say the least. The menu description looked great until the tiniest portions began to be served. One oyster for an entree?? One thumb nail piece of lobster on the matchbox sized monk fish ? Not my idea of a satisfying meal that’s for sure and to be honest the flavours weren’t that good. The chef needs to rethink value for money and not his own ego from this nouveau cuisine nonsense. The saving grace was the superb buffet breakfast that had everything a hungry diner from the night before needed !

As a couple who have been visiting Herm for nine years I have to admit we are just the tinsiest bit bias. We arrived via the Trident ferry at Rosaire steps which is roughly 400-600 yards away from the hotel but which is a lovely walk in itself. Fortunately our luggage was taken to the hotel for us via the porterage service so this allows one time to to decompress into the relaxed atmosphere that epitomises the Island of Herm. Our room (46) was one flight of steps up and we had a fantastic view overlooking the harbour. The rooms are all on suite and are very clean and comfortable. My one slight criticism is there are no fans in the rooms. Fortunately for us The staff on reception were super helpful and loaned us their own fan for the duration of our stay. Given the weather we enjoyed during our stay I hope they didn't get too hot. As B&B customers we only ate once in the conservatory and that was on a day where there were staff absences through ill health so although the food delicious service was slow. These things happen and cannot be blamed on individuals. Breakfast is self service with the only eggs on display being scrambled but one can ask for poached or fried. There are two other eateries on the island, the Ship Inn and the Mermaid Tavern both of which serve excellent food although if you like generous portions we recommend the Mermaid. At both of these establishments one is able to eat alfresco. Almost forgot there are Kiosks on both Shell and Belvoir beaches. Belvoir serves snacks and at Shell one can buy either a meal or a snack. Staff: from management to housekeeping and all other staff members the people working on Herm went out of their way to ensure we had all that we could want from a holiday. Gill and I cannot speak highly enough of them. For such a small island there are so many beautiful beaches and walks that we never tire of them. For such a small island it is surprising that one can either have a nice quiet holiday or, if one chooses ones dates right and book ahead one can boogie away to live acts which are held fairly frequently or enjoy a beer and gin festival which if memory serves are held twice a year. One can also book the hotel's marquee for weddings etc. I could have condensed this review down to "Go to Herm, its fantastic" but where would the fun be in that?

The hotel and cottages are lovely, I found the reception very helpful and our luggage was moved for us to and from ferries. Our room was comfortable, very clean and with lovely sea views. We chose this place for our last two nights on an island hopping tour. The restaurant was fully booked on our first night, we had no option but to eat in the Ship, but this wasn’t a problem as we enjoyed our meal. We enjoyed a peaceful evening as we are older and have had a busy schedule. We spent the next day exploring the island and on Shell beach which is great. Decided to eat early in the Beach cafe which was very good. The Mermaid bar was closed for a private function from 3, and from there we experienced 7.5 hours of exceptionally loud techno music right next to our accommodation. It was horrendous and hurt my ears and head, we went to the main hotel where it could still be heard but less so. I love music of every kind, except this! Anything but this! It wrapped up at 10.30 but there were still very loud people milling about until gone 2 am, I was livid, as we had a long journey home the next day. The worse thing is we were not warned about this, otherwise there is no way we would have prepaid for this room. Afterwards I found out it’s not ideal to stay at week ends.. in this advertised paradise! Such a disappointment, really spoiled what will now be our last trip to Herm. It takes a lot for me to complain.