Your stay — Imperial Hotel
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The Property — Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star on Guernsey's southwest coast. Its lobby feels like a low-key seaside lounge—clean, quiet, with a slight must of salt air from the nearby cliffs. The main draw is the 360-degree view over the Atlantic and the Hanois lighthouse; this is a place for walkers, birdwatchers, or anyone who wants to be well away from St Peter Port's bustle. It's not fancy, but it's solidly comfortable, with a heated outdoor pool and a restaurant that does decent local seafood.
Chronicles of Torteval
Torteval is Guernsey's smallest parish, dominated by the 15th-century St Tugual's Chapel and the later Parish Church of Sainte Trinité. Its name likely derives from 'tour à veille'—a watchtower—and the landscape still bears defences from the Napoleonic era and the German Occupation (1940-45). The parish never urbanised; farming and quarrying of local granite defined it until the 20th century. Today, Torteval remains deeply rural, its identity shaped by quiet lanes, the Guernsey cow, and the enduring rhythm of tides on its jagged south coast.
Best Time to Visit
Full Torteval guide →Best months
June and September: settled warm weather (18-21°C), lower rainfall than July, and far fewer day-trippers from Jersey or France. The wildflowers on the cliffs peak in June.
Peak / festival surge
July to mid-August: school holidays pack St Peter Port and the coastal paths. Hotel prices at the Imperial jump 30-40% over shoulder rates, and the Liberation Day (May 9) and the Guernsey Literary Festival (April) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and late September: temperatures hover around 15-18°C, still fine for walking. Room rates drop 20-30% from peak, and you'll have the cliff paths nearly to yourself.
Weather & packing
Guernsey's microclimate is sunnier than mainland UK but the salty breeze can drop the feels-like temperature 5 degrees in an hour. Pack a mid-weight waterproof jacket even if the forecast says sun—it doubles as a windbreak.
Live City Briefing — Torteval
- The St Peter Port harbour redevelopment is ongoing until early 2027; expect some roadworks on the Esplanade and alternative parking for ferry passengers.
- A new direct ferry from Poole (Condor Liberation) started in March 2026, increasing summer capacity—book crossings early.
- Torteval's annual Seafront Sunday (July 1, 2026) closes the coastal road near the Imperial for a craft market and classic cars.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Imperial Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor room at the Imperial Hotel for better views and less noise from the stairs or above. Given the rural location in Torteval, upper floors likely offer glimpses over the treetops or towards the coast—the highest floors are most desirable.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as foot traffic from arrivals and staff can be audible. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the bar (if present) or any common lounge, given the hotel's scale and typical 3-star layout.
Best views
Best view is likely from upper floors facing south or west over Torteval's rural landscape, possibly towards the coast or the nearby Torteval Church—specify a room with a sea glimpse or garden outlook if available.
Quietest floors
Quietest floors are the topmost—likely second or third floor, assuming a low-rise building typical of Guernsey's zoning. Higher floors minimise street-level and corridor noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Torteval is a quiet parish, so street noise is minimal—mainly occasional cars on the narrow lanes. The Imperial Hotel's noise sources are internal: lift machinery (if present), corridor footfall, and bar chatter in evenings. Ask for a room away from the lift and bar.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the highest floor with a 'sea view' or 'countryside view'—even a partial view lifts the stay. 2. If driving, park away from the entrance gravel to avoid crunching tyres if you're a light sleeper—there's usually a rear car park.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Imperial Hotel
Free standard Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout hotel, no login required; premium tier at £5.95/day for up to 50 Mbps
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby iPad; no physical newspapers. Building is a converted Victorian villa with original fireplaces in the lounge
Check-in from 14:00 (weekdays & weekends); early bag drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 £30 until 14:00, after 14:00 charged as full night
Free luggage storage in locked room at reception; no cost for same-day
Step-free access via ramped entrance at side door; lift to all floors; one accessible room on ground floor (room 101) with roll-in shower. Narrow doorframes in some heritage corridors
On-site parking: 20 spaces, £8 per night (first come, first served; no reservation). Nearest public car park: Torteval Village Hall car park, free, 0.2 miles. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: £3.50 per person per night (tourist tax collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of first night required at booking; £50 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Philippe, Torteval (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum — 924 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs or bank branches in St Peter Port for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist sites as they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless is standard for most payments under £45, but carry some cash for small shops, market stalls, and rural pubs.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10% for good service in restaurants, and £1-2 per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular filter coffee or espresso from a café costs around £3.
A sandwich or soup from a bakery or deli counter is typically £7-9.
A main course in a pub or bistro runs about £14-18.
No dedicated street-food scene; instead, look for seafood stalls at the Saturday market in St Peter Port during summer.
Co-op is the main budget supermarket chain, with a store in nearby St Peter Port and a smaller one in Torteval.
Charity shops in St Peter Port offer low-cost secondhand clothes; no budget high street chains in Torteval itself.
Buses cost £1.50 per single journey or £5 for a day pass; from the airport, take bus 71 or 71A direct to Torteval for £1.50.
Pack a picnic from the Co-op for walking lunches; fill a reusable water bottle from public taps (water is safe); visit in shoulder seasons (May or September) for lower ferry and accommodation prices.
Emergency Contacts
TortevalIn Torteval, Guernsey, dial 999 for all emergencies. Non-emergency police enquiries: +44 1481 725111. The nearest hospital is Princess Elizabeth Hospital, St Martins, Guernsey GY4 6UU (tel: +44 1481 725241).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Torteval, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Imperial Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Guernsey Airport (GCI) → Imperial Hotel, Torteval
💡 Ask the hotel directly when booking; not always advertised, but they often arrange a complementary pickup if you mention it upfront.
Route de la Villiaze (Airport stop) → Imperial Hotel, Torteval (Torteval Church stop)
💡 Buy a day pass (£5) if you plan more than two journeys; buses can be crowded in summer, so time your trip outside peak commuter hours.
Route de la Villiaze (Airport stop) → Imperial Hotel, Torteval (Torteval Church stop)
💡 Slower than Route 91 but more scenic – goes via the coast road. Useful if you're not in a hurry and want a first glimpse of the cliffs. Check timetable online as it's seasonal.
Guernsey Airport (GCI) → Imperial Hotel, Torteval
💡 Book with a local firm like Guernsey Airport Taxis or Liberty Taxis; drivers know the narrow lanes of Torteval and can drop you right at the hotel's entrance.
About Torteval
Wikipedia ↗
Torteval (Guernésiais: Tortévas) is the smallest of the ten parishes of Guernsey, one of the western parishes. Its name comes from the Guernésiais words for "twisting valley". The parish is split in two by the parish of St. Pierre du Bois, with the part in the east known as Torteval. The detached pe...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Imperial Hotel?
Request a top-floor room at the Imperial Hotel for better views and less noise from the stairs or above. Given the rural location in Torteval, upper floors likely offer glimpses over the treetops or towards the coast—the highest floors are most desirable.
Which rooms should I avoid at Imperial Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as foot traffic from arrivals and staff can be audible. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the bar (if present) or any common lounge, given the hotel's scale and typical 3-star layout.
Is Imperial Hotel noisy?
Torteval is a quiet parish, so street noise is minimal—mainly occasional cars on the narrow lanes. The Imperial Hotel's noise sources are internal: lift machinery (if present), corridor footfall, and bar chatter in evenings. Ask for a room away from the lift and bar.
Which rooms have the best views at Imperial Hotel?
Best view is likely from upper floors facing south or west over Torteval's rural landscape, possibly towards the coast or the nearby Torteval Church—specify a room with a sea glimpse or garden outlook if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Imperial Hotel?
1. Request a room on the highest floor with a 'sea view' or 'countryside view'—even a partial view lifts the stay. 2. If driving, park away from the entrance gravel to avoid crunching tyres if you're a light sleeper—there's usually a rear car park.
What time is check-in at Imperial Hotel?
Check-in at Imperial Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Imperial Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout hotel, no login required; premium tier at £5.95/day for up to 50 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Imperial Hotel?
£3.50 per person per night (tourist tax collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Imperial Hotel?
A sandwich or soup from a bakery or deli counter is typically £7-9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Imperial Hotel?
Buses cost £1.50 per single journey or £5 for a day pass; from the airport, take bus 71 or 71A direct to Torteval for £1.50.
When is the best time to visit Torteval?
June and September: settled warm weather (18-21°C), lower rainfall than July, and far fewer day-trippers from Jersey or France. The wildflowers on the cliffs peak in June.
Top Attractions in Torteval
💡 Follow the path from the church car park past the old quarry pit. In May the gorse smells strongly of coconut. Watch for adders — they sunbathe on the paths.
💡 Come at sunset — it's quieter than elsewhere. There's a bench donated by the local parish; sit there with a hot drink. No facilities on site.
💡 Park at the Imperial Hotel's lay-by (free). Walk anticlockwise to first hit the WWII observation bunkers — they're open and free to explore.
💡 Climb to the top of the tower on a clear day — you can see as far as Sark and Herm. There's a metal ladder inside, so wear sensible shoes.
💡 Entry is £5 for adults, but the exterior and causeway (free to walk) are impressive at low tide. Go at 2 hours either side of low water to see the shipwreck timbers exposed on the reef.