La Barbarie Hotel News, Views and Reviews Welcome to issue 21 of our newsletter The Barb Wire which is full of all the news you don’t really care about plus our special offers which may make you a little curious. WiFi . . . Why Not? Now I know you come for the peace and quiet and all those lovely walks etc etc etc BUT if you do feel the urge to contact the outside world then we have arranged that for you too. As of May 2009 La Barbarie will be fully Wifi enabled. We still have the hot spot in the bar for those who wish to sip a nice glass of Sauvignon whilst surfing but you can now also do it in the privacy of your own room!!! (Before the local planning police kick the door down - it's not a "real" photo . . . okay!) Snow Joke - We had it too! Guernsey awoke to snowy scenes on Monday 2nd February after an estimated four inches fell during the night across the island. Not for 20 years had Guernsey experienced so much snow and for many young locals who had not seen such scenes, it really was a winter wonderland. The state schools were closed and police warned drivers to stay off the roads unless their journey was essential. (My thanks to Mike my Web Maestro who lent me his huskies). Some of the staff did what had to be done! And NO, that’s not Mr. Coleman with the scarf and hat on! This Time It's Personnel It is with great delight that I am able to tell you that the stability and consistency of staff, so important to the standards and ambiance of La Barbarie Hotel, remains. Still with us and looking forward to seeing you in 2009 are:     Head Chef Colin Sadly a Newcastle Fan. Thankfully a wonderful Chef. Sous Chef Greg A chef with some Polish! Restaurant Manager Ivo Like a Catering Mechanic, keeps the restaurant running smoothly. Chef de Partie Domingo’s AKA Bandito. Housekeeper Piadade Now in her 14th year of sparkling Service! Bar and Wine Guru Ravis After 5 years he has finally wrestled the wine tasting job from Mr C. Front of House Manager Ilze Not just a pretty face. Secretary extraordinaire Jean Ferguson Only 18 years of putting up with AFC. Handy Yanny! We break it. He Fix It. Free Car Hire Offer Don’t forget the Old Barbarians exclusive offer you black sheep out there. For details please login here > Just some of the Old Babarians we were delighted to see in 2008: Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Table 3 is reserved for you. Mrs Gettings Resident Artist. (No not one of those!) The Dipples My brother has Goats now. Free Milk. Mr. & Mrs. Couzens Don’t forget the black tie and posh dress! Mr. Elliot Nice to meet the Family. Mr. & Mrs. Lockwood Great fans of local Guernsey produce. Oh and a NZ Sauvignon. Liz Whitting You are very brave you know, inviting those Welsh locals. The Duff Family Lets hope the sea is calm! Mr. & Mrs. Weston, Mr. & Mrs Williams, Mr. & Mrs Mayes And all you other Old Barbarians too many to mention. Thanks for your loyal support.   Bespoke Wardrobes! No need to bring the Screwdriver Mr & Mrs Currie (Apt. 114 Regulars). All new bedroom furniture has been hand made by Local craftsman Nigel Carradeuc (that’s easy for me to say) for our one bedroom Self Catering Apartments. Made in France by a Guernsey man. Don’t ask! Euros - Just say Non! Now after exhausting yourself by reading this masterpiece of a newsletter you are probably thinking of a break where your pound is a pound and not a little Euro. A Guernsey break at La Barbarie is the answer. Back by Popular demand the ever popular Mini Break, Walking Breaks and Seafood Lovers Break. La Barbarie Mini Breaks Escape with a La Barbarie Hotel Mini Break available from March 13th - November 1st 2009. This exceptional short break offer includes:- •  2 Nights en-suite accommodation •  Full buffet and cooked breakfast •  Group A Car Hire for 2 days •  Free Bottle of Bubbly on Arrival PLUS an option to extend your stay. See full details here > La Barbarie Walking Breaks Discover Guernsey on foot (or by bus) with La Barbarie Hotel "Guernsey Walking Breaks". Available from March 13th - September 30th 2009. This Great Value short break offer includes:- •  2 Nights en-suite accommodation •  Full buffet and cooked breakfast •  Wave and Save Bus Ticket •  Daily Packed Lunches •  Guide Book and Map •  Free Bottle of Bubbly on Arrival PLUS an option to extend your stay. See full details here > La Barbarie Seafood Lovers Breaks La Barbarie Hotel Guernsey short breaks have always been synonymous with relaxation, value and of course the very finest Guernsey seafood. These 3 night Guernsey Seafood Breaks are no different. Each evening La Barbarie Hotel Head Chef Colin Pearson and his dedicated team will prepare a wonderful Guernsey seafood dinner for you. And it's all included in the price. Naturally our usual extensive table d'hôte menu is always available for non fish eaters. See full details here > Zip Zap and Ping We have now sorted out our email Barb Wire data base (had a lot of help from Bazil and Doris) So if you would like to be zapped or is it zipped or maybe pinged with a special offer and newsy E Barb Wire then please email Andy on andy.barbarie@guernsey.net and watch your inbox. My thanks to Maureen G for sending this picture she took on one of her visits last year. It's enough to make you plane cross! Corridors and Carpets My thanks to the numerous “Old Barbarians” who, through the Guest Questionnaire reminded me of how tired the corridors of the Hotel were looking. This winter we woke them up and they are ready for inspection. More Kind Words Many thanks to all of you who take the time to write to me about your La Barbarie experience a sample of which is below and my thanks to Mr Mrs Singleton. We felt we had to write following our brief stay last weekend. From the moment we arrived on Thursday until our departure we were treated with professionalism and friendliness. To be greeted with a bottle of Champagne in our room was a lovely surprise especially as my husband was celebrating his birthday. The food was simply delicious with choice for every taste and the staff were very attentive without being intrusive. I was a Banqueting and Conference Manager for 18 years in a large Hotel in Kent and so I know from first hand experience how sometimes things can go wrong (I always say that there is a book inside somewhere!) but we were unaware of any problems and we appreciate you being able to accommodate us on Saturday evening when our plans had to be changed. This is our third or fourth recent trip to Guernsey and we can only thank Mr. and Mrs. Lording for introducing us to La Barbarie - we shall always choose you from now on. Thank you again, Wendy and Michael Singleton. Don’t forget you can also share your positive words on www.tripadvisor.co.uk , but then again maybe it should be our secret!