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.
1928 - 1945
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.
After the war
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.
The Archives
Seymour Hotels have had the Group's archives professionally catalogued and some material (photographs, brochures, menus, etc.) has been presented to the Jersey Archive.
Material has also been provided to Jerripedia, The Island Wiki, an online historical encyclopaedia devoted to the Bailiwick of Jersey. It is a fascinating look into the past, providing a real sense of place, and will no doubt be of interest to many of our guests, past, present and future. Click here to view the Island wiki page
Seymour Hotels today
Today, George & Ada's son Robin is Chairman of the company. Their grandson David is Managing Director and David's son Matthew, our Group F & B Coordinator, is the fifth generation of The Seymour family working within the group. Our future is in safe hands!
