FAQs

General FAQs

How do I log onto the Internet at the hotel?

The Hotel offers free fast WiFi throughout all public areas and bedrooms. Search for ‘Empress Guest’ and use password empress99.

TT 2025 & TT 2026

When can we book for TT 2025?

You can book directly on our website for TT 2025 now. Rates start from £200 bed and breakfast for a single room and from £265 for a double room per night. These rooms need paying in full at the time of booking and are non refundable or changeable. Rooms have limited availability so try checking for 1 night at a time if you cannot find a room for longer periods as we may have some rooms available each night, but not the same room type and you will probably have to move rooms mid stay and different room rates apply to each room type.

If you prefer to email [email protected] or call 01624 661155  you can book available rooms and pay the 50% deposit now per room, with the balance by 28th February 2025. Rooms are not available on any other online website for the main TT week, only directly through the hotel or on our website.

TT 2026 is not available to book until the Monday after TT 2025 is over to allow guests staying at TT 2025 the chance to re-book before they depart first before we open remaining rooms up to new guests.

Getting to the Hotel FAQs

Do you have secure parking at the hotel?

Hotel Parking

The Empress Hotel has no parking on site, but the Promenade and side roads in front and nearby, do offer limited free parking . The Promenade parking is free 16 hours in any 24 hours in disk zones, from outside the Hotel towards the Manx Electric Railway only on the seaside of the road where the local signs state, with no returning to that space within 2 hours. The land side of the road also has some 16 hour parking, but near shopping areas, this is limited to 30 minutes to 1 hour maximum and electric charging spaces is limited to 2 hours only.

Please collect a parking disk from the ferry terminal on arrival to display in your car that also provides 2 hours free parking in places around the Island. If you are unsure where to park near the hotel, please check the signs carefully as parking wardens do patrol the Promenade and issue tickets 6 days a week from 8am to 8pm (not Sundays), so please follow the local signs. Paid for parking is available on council run car parks with details HERE. The nearest to the Hotel is Chester Street (15 minutes walk back to the Hotel) with hourly rates upto 10 hours only, or at The Steam Packet Building parking (15 minutes walk away) and costs £5.50 for 24 hours. Parking map of Douglas can also be found Car Park Locations Douglas.

We’ve heard you need a parking permit to park on the Island?

Yes, in Douglas and some town areas a permit is required. Please collect from the Sea Terminal on arrival from the Welcome Centre. Permits are free of charge.

What about disabled facilities and parking for guests using the hotel?

Please click HERE for details about accessibility at The Empress and our new automatic access doors from the Promenade into the Hotel.

How far are you from the Ferry terminal?

The Hotel is less than 5 minute’s drive from the Sea Terminal or about 20 minute’s walk towards the centre of Douglas Bay along the Promenade.

How do we get from the airport to the Hotel and back when we leave?

The airport is around 20 minutes taxi drive away from the Hotel and costs around £20 one way. There is a taxi rank just outside the terminal building entrance. Buses leave from outside the terminal every 20-30 minutes all day and most buses go to Douglas and along the Promenade including no. 1, 1A, 2, 2A 12 and 12A. The cost is £3.30 for The Empress, and ask for the Central Promenade stop, and drivers will normally tell you when there. The bus stop is around 100m from the Hotel entrance on both sides of the road.

Room Booking FAQs

What time can we check in to our room?

Check in is after 3pm, and you are welcome to leave bags at reception if you arrive earlier than that time.

What time is check out?

Check out is anytime before 11am but you can leave bags at reception if you are travelling later in the day.

Does my room rate include breakfast?

Yes all room rates and packages include breakfast.

When do I need to pay for my room reservation?

All pre-paid rates are charged on booking and flexible rates are charged at the hotel on arrival.
The Hotel may require guests to provide ID on arrival to confirm their identity, including a passport, driving licence or National ID card. Failure to provide details when requested, may result in check in being declined and reservations cancelled and any deposits paid would however be retained and not returned.

Can I charge food or drinks to my room during my stay?

Yes, we take a swipe of your card on arrival and authorise a small amount of credit if you wish to open an account. The card used should be the one you intend to pay with. If you don’t use the account during your stay, we release the ‘hold’ on the card on departure, but this can take up to 10 days for your bank to release the hold back to you.

Dining FAQs

What time do you serve breakfast?

Breakfast is served Monday to Saturday from 6.45am to 10am, and on Sunday from 7.15am to 10am. Times may vary in the quieter Winter period or during Summer events.

We have an early ferry to catch. Can we have breakfast earlier?

Yes we offer a limited continental breakfast in the lounge before 6.45am that needs booking with reception the night before please.

What time do you serve food in the Piano Bar?

We serve bar meals from 12 noon to 9.30pm each day and no booking is necessary.

Do I need to book dinner in the Brasserie?

We serve dinner from 6pm to 9.30pm daily in the Brasserie and it’s worth booking a time as it sometimes can get busy. Contact reception or book online on the Brasserie Restaurant page.

What time can we get a drink or a coffee in the lounge?

The Piano Bar opens at 11am and serves hot beverages and alcoholic drinks all day until late (closing time is decided daily based on how many people are in the bar after 11pm).

Events FAQs

We’ve thinking about getting married at The Empress. Do you offer packages?

Yes, we can provide a full package with ceremony, meals and evening reception. Please view the pages on this site and view the latest Wedding Brochure too. Please contact us to arrange a viewing to discuss your big day.

The Wedding is next year. Do you offer payment plans?

The Hotel can work out a suitable payment plan to help spread the cost each month to help your budgeting. Please ask for details when you meet the Manager at the Hotel initially.

Do our guests receive discounted bedroom rates on the night of the wedding?

Yes, after the wedding has been confirmed, reduced rates will be provided for guests to book.

We are a charity looking to hold a fund raising dinner dance. Do you offer that?

Yes, The Empress is well known for hosting charity events throughout the year. Please view our Charity Events pages and send us your enquiry, and we will respond with further details.

Do you hold Tribute Nights and parties that friends can enjoy a night out?

We hold several Tribute events and Festive Parties throughout December each year for friends, family or colleagues to enjoy. Details can be found on the What’s On and Christmas sections of this site.

We are planning some corporate training events. Can you help?

We have a choice of 3 meeting and training rooms at The Empress. Packages and pricing is individual to each event and based on time of the year and numbers attending. Please view the Meetings pages on this site and complete the form with details for us to provide a quote or call 01624 661155.