In 1921 George Frederick's parents - George Andrew and Mary,
having retired to Jersey, bought Kalimna Hall in St Brelade, which
then became The Portelet Hotel.
Merton House, having outgrown its original property was
transferred to a new location on Belvedere Hill, eventually
becoming what is now Jersey's largest hotel - The Merton.
Joining forces to become Seymour Hotels in 1928, George
Frederick and his father acquired the Pomme d'Or Hotel in 1930.
The group was becoming well established by the time war broke
out in 1939, and when the islands were occupied by the German
forces in 1940, the hotels were to play a significant role in the
island's history when all three hotels were requisitioned by the
occupying forces.
The period after the war was spent rebuilding the business and
putting everything back where it belonged - including the hotels'
silver tableware, which had been buried in George and Ada's
garden.
From the 1950's onwards, Jersey became extremely popular as a
holiday and honeymoon destination and became affectionately known
as 'Britain's South Sea island'. Seymour Hotels grew and at one
time owned and operated 5 hotels in Jersey.
Today, George & Ada's son, Robin, is Chairman of the company
and their grandson, David, is Managing Director. Jersey now
attracts a wide range of visitors, including business &
conference guests, those seeking a relaxing weekend break or
longer-stay family holiday.
WORD FOR IT...