Stayed for a 4 night stay, booking a double and a single room, having stayed at this hotel on 4 previous occations over a 8 year period was somewhat dissapointed with the rooms, we were allocated a rear facing single room, with a veiw of the building site next door. the double was side facing and rather on the small side, feeling rather cramped if you both stood up at the same time, with a floor slopping in both directions so badly that i found it difficult not to roll out of bed.
while I am all for energy saving bulbs one 7 watt bulb in a single room is not enough to be able to read by a night.
the pool is looking very old now and could do with a referb, and the steam rooms were not working.
on a better note the main reception and bar area although not had any updating for some time still feels light and airy.
since our last visit the basement resturant has changed to a chinese buffet, which was good quality and tasty, costing £16.95 per head. A more traditional menu was served in the hotel function room which a gain was very good quality.

We booked the Empress for a four day break and found it great value for money. The room although small was spotless and the breakfast very enjoyable. We dined in the Hotel for the four nights we were there and found the staff very friendly and helpful and the evening meals very acceptable. The swimming pool and sauna were an added bonus which we made the most off. On the whole I would reccomend this Hotel to my friends and family and would not hesitate to go back.

I was booked into this hotel for one night for a business trip.
I was in a single romm.
Tje room was small and very warm but it had every thing I needed. Bath, shower, widescreen TV, computer connestion, trouser press and tea and coffee. Everything was at your finger tips.
The breakfast was help yourself and it was excellant.
The swimming pool is very small and when I used the facilities the steam room was off but the sauna was on.

Normally I stay in the Claremont when working in Douglas which apart from needing a bit of a revamp is ok. Due to lack of availability I had to move to the Empress for a week.

Upon arrival it seemed ok apart from the multitude of steps in the bar area. Met up with some colleagues who'd been there over the weekend and was told about the breakfast.

Went down on the first morning to sample it for myself, it's a buffet style which basically means everything is kept warm for hours. Was very surprised with the sausages they where both dry on the outside, slimy on the inside and lacking and flavor.
Also avoid the Oriental Buffet this is best described as slops.

The only other advice is don't book a sea front room unless you want their blue spotlights shinning through your windows all night