Best Hotels near The Great Union Camera Obscura, Douglas

The hotel is within easy walking distance of the Manx Electric Railway but a long way from the town centre. There is however a frequent bus service. Our room was on the small side but had everything you would want and was attractively decorated. No sea view as is the case with most of these Victorian seafront hotels as they have only limited frontage; some rooms have side sea view. The shower had limited pressure (we were on the 5th floor) but was very hot. There was one day when the hotel was cold and in immediate response to complaints the heating was taken off the timer and switched to 24 hours. Our room was serviced daily. The food in the restaurant was invariably excellent. Evening meals are ordered at breakfast which reduces waste and improves quality. It also makes service quicker. All staff were friendly and professional - they clearly wanted everyone to have a good time. Reception is not always manned but inquiries can usually be dealt with in the bar next door. This hotel would be a struggle for anyone disabled. There are no ground floor rooms and the single lift stops between floors so that you have to go up or down a few stairs to get to your room, also negotiating 2 heavy fire doors. We would be happy to use the Hydro again.

Back again for our yearly stay in the At Caledonia! Stayed for fourteen nights bed and breakfast. Greeted warmly on arrival and felt like we hadn't been away. Got checked in and received the key to our usual room, No 7 (a family sea view). Room was clean and tidy, complete with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits. Toiletries had also been left out in bathroom for use if required. Bed lien and towels were spotless, as was the table linen at breakfast. Breakfast was delicious! A selection of cereals, yoghurts, apple/orange juice and condiments are available at a self-service station to the rear of the dining room. The cooked breakfast was a good size and could be customized to suit individual needs. The standard Full English comprised of: two sausages, piece of bacon, fried egg, beans, hash brown and half a cooked tomato. Scrambled, boiled and poached eggs also available. Staff as always helpful and friendly. Always willing to help where needed and accommodate guests needs. At Caledonia is dog friendly and our dog had the best stay! Dogs are not allowed in dining room but not an issue. The location of the hotel is perfect! Just a short 10-15 minutes walk from the Manx Electric Railway terminus and just 2 minutes from a bus and horse tram stop. Close to local pubs and eatery's including 'The Queens Pub' and 'Majestic Chinese Restaurant'.

We chose this hotel because of its location,we had a sea front room ,lovely view.The hotel staff were lovely,very friendly and helpful. The room was comfortable and clean and perfect for what we wanted .The food was either a buffet style (hot) or you could choose of the menu ,we ate there twice and then went a little further a field to try something different,the breakfast was excellent .We would definitely stay there again .

Booked an overnight stay for myself as I was joining family and friends for an celebration lunch in Coast and afterwards party with cocktails. The booking in process was very easy and the staff were more than helpful . The room was clean and spacious with a luxurious bathroom . It had all the facilities required including a large flat screen tv . There was noise overnight from the street but that’s what you would expect in town . The only problem I had was in the morning I had booked a taxi which I nearly missed as the signage for the lift is very poor luckily I could ask the maid who was on the third floor I would never have found it without her as it was around a corner and down some stairs .

Booked 8 days stay in Douglas IOM at HQ Bar & Restaurant in one of their flat/homes ?? I instructed them I would have 2 senior gentlemen and was looking for easy access, a family room was offered sleeping 6 (so I thought), turned out it would only sleep 5 at a push, 1 king size bed, 2 single and sofa bed. But this had no bearing as we were 3. In booking the accommodation directly with HQ Bar I thought this would be on their premises, not so as mentioned before, a family room offered in a converted house. When we arrived we were told to head down a steep incline to our destination flat/room/ hotel?? On entry through a dodgy front door (which became an issue throughout our stay) then on through a corridor into our room, it be came clear how cold the room was when we entered. 1. No heating in spite of the radiator’s thermostat set at 5, towel radiator not on, was told due to the hot weather they had. 2. No fridge, again told hotel “does not” provide fridge. 3. No Bath mat was told would get one. Point 1. Having mentioned I had seniors radiators SHOULD BE ON especially the towel rail, no one wants damp hand or bath towels not to mention guests catching a cold. This was meant to be a family room catering for families, lack of the basic. Point 2. Having mentioned no fridge surely being a “family room” there would / should have been one especially if there were babies / children ie milk, etc, I’m my case it would be used to keep my insulin in. Point 3. No bath mat essential when having a seniors around was told it be will looked into. All three points made clear to the owners. After my issue were raised on more than one occasion things happened. Heating was turned on, towel rail not working the fix it man turned up and heat in towel rail restored. A fridge suddenly appeared which was a borrowed one which lasted 3 days and broke down, a new replacement arrived 2 days later a day before we were to depart. During the times there was no fridge available my insulin was stored on H&Q premises either in the fridge behind the bar or in the fridge in the kitchen, but a few of the staff didn’t know where when I came to retrieve my medication. The bath mat I found stuck behind the towel rail had seen better days and was filthy but we had to use it for safety reasons. House keeping was a quick replacement of towels and beds made up. The toilet was in desperate need of some bleach or something in fact the all of the bathroom needed a daily cleaning and at a stretch a vacuum around. There is so much more I go could on about especially the breakfast on offer but! This establishment has a 4 star rating but we were very very disappointed throughout our it would have been batter given a 1 star rating.