Client’s Comments

I would like to thank you all and your team for the success of our seminar last week. I think it was the best seminar we have done - availability of each member of the team, quality of the food, flexibility according to our demands, spacious rooms, beauty and property of the hotel... all was concentrated to spend a great week. It was a pleasure to discover Jersey with you.
Ludovic Devaux - SVR France

I do hope that all the staff were really pleased with themselves at having accommodated the various requests whcih the large numbers involved. The hotel space certainly seemed to lend itself well to the mass of people and I trust everyone found it a positive experience at the end of the day.
We did all hugely enjoy being in Jersey with that amazing sunshine and wonderful food everywhere we found ourselves. I am sure lots of people will come back again at some time when they have more time to see around.
Trisha Hawkins - Organiser of OAA Conference

As chief executive of the Association of Interior Specialists, I am also an 'occasional' conference organiser. We held our annual conference weekend at the Hotel de France in October, and were delighted with its success. Normally the AIS chooses 5-star hotels as our members have come to expect high quality service and excellent food - however, because our requirements and desire to be in Jersey, there was really only one hotel for us - the 4 star Hotel de France which came up trumps. As for the leisure complex, the pool area was the best I have ever seen or used; what a way to unwind. It was a pleasure to deal with such professional conference and banqueting staff, both before and during our conference; nothing was too much trouble. All in all, we received 5-star service throughout, and our members and their partners thoroughly enjoyed the weekend - an excellent venue.
Jean Birch, Chief Executive, Association of Interior Specialists

From start to finish we were very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of everyone involved in the organisation of our conference at the Hotel de France. The sales team did an excellent job in setting up the contract and the events team ensured everything ran smoothly during the event. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Hotel de France to anyone planning an event in Jersey.
Jeanette Staddon, Events Organiser, Royal College of Nursing

For someone like myself who has been organising meetings for over 20 years, The Hotel De France in Jersey has always been a trusted, safe destination and its Anglo French Island appeal also gives it a touch of glamour. With the most recent fire damage, the hotel partially closed, and so for a couple of years was off the conference radar as far as Lotus Conferences was concerned. When we were asked to pitch for a three-day Pharmaceutical conference, knowing the hotel was near to completion, we flew out to Jersey to view the new Hotel De France and were delighted with the results of the inspection as well as the eventual conference. The recently built, multi-million pound wing of the hotel is very impressive with state of the art conference centre, excellent bedrooms and a top class spa. Allied to this, the food is top quality, the bar area is huge, prices very reasonable in comparison to mainland UK and the sales and ops team are flexible and very helpful - nothing is too much trouble. A dine out at The Jersey Pottery was also very impressive. We flew 150 persons from UK airports to Jersey (note flights in summer are better than winter) and all the logistics went like clockwork. Our client was delighted with the Hotel de France and there were no surprises when we received the final bills (and no VAT!). Our client subsequently booked another 2 meetings at the hotel. Whilst Jersey may not be as glamorous as some other European destinations, you know what you are going to get; reasonable prices and service with a smile. The new conference centre at the Hotel De France really is a great addition.
Ray Robins, Managing Director, Lotus Conferences and Incentives Ltd

Rotary District Conference - October 2006 Rotary district conferences are particularly demanding of its organisers, as it is a combination of Rotary business and the prime social function in the Rotary calendar. It does therefore require a high degree of understanding and co-operation on the part of the conference venue executive. District 1200 consists of 53 Rotary clubs from Somerset and parts of Dorset and Wiltshire. Its elected governor, Peter Hardwill, particularly wished to hold the conference in Jersey and the Jersey Conference Bureau recommended the Hotel de France as the most suitable venue. The hotel management has in-depth experience of conference hosting. Not only did it have ample accommodation for the expected 500 or more delegates, but also the Great Hall and adjoining suites proved to be most suitable for the purposes of the conference committee. Having all the facilities in-house was an obvious advantage as, in addition to the business sessions, the hotel was able to provide facilities for official receptions, separate from the banqueting hall, and ample restaurant choices for delegates on occasions other than the two evening functions. Planning commenced two years before the conference date, which required several visits to Jersey by the conference committee. Beginning with an initial meeting to present a broad outline of the proposed programme, the committee found the hotel management keen to help in every possible way to accommodate its requirements. District Governor Peter Hardwill was greatly encouraged from the first meeting at the Hotel de France and in discussions with the Jersey Conference Bureau. The very full and varied programme for the conference over the three days included many guest speakers with individual needs to be catered for, and charities linked to Rotary requiring space within the hotel for displays etc. The hotel was also able to provide a conference office with compatible computer facilities that proved vital to the conference registrar and treasurer. Another most important aspect of conference is the provision of highly professional sound and vision personnel in order that during the business sessions they can provide the technology essential for the effective visual presentation of the many speakers. The hotel’s link with Delta (also recommended by the Jersey Conference Bureau) solved what could have been an enormous problem had it been necessary to bring over this technology from the mainland. From the moment of arrival at the Hotel de France the Rotarian delegates were favourably impressed by the confident but helpful manner of the conference manager and his staff. This was also true of the staff in the various restaurants and parts of the hotel not directly connected with the conference. Throughout the conference any problems that arose were quickly and expertly dealt with. All ran smoothly, including the prime social function the banquet and ball when a four-course meal was served to the satisfaction of all. Most Rotarians took the opportunity of a short break in Jersey, booking into the Hotel de France for five nights or longer. Since October, word of the success of the event has reached other Rotary districts on the mainland, and the conference chairman has been able to refer many enquiries to the Hotel de France in the confident knowledge that they will be very well received.
John Whitfield - Rotary District 1200