Harley Young enjoys island fine dining and relaxation courtesy of Hand Picked Hotels
I enjoyed my trip to Guernsey back in April so much that when I was presented with the opportunity to visit its biggest sister of the Channel Islands, I was on the plane faster than you could say ‘Jersey black butter’.
At 120 square kilometres (119.5 if you’re being pedantic), Jersey is the largest of the islands that make up the waters between England and France.
During the Second World War, the island and three other Channel Islands (Guernsey, Alderney and Sark) were occupied by German forces until the war ended in 1945.
Today though, it’s home to over 103,000 people. Most of whom are islanders that were born and raised here - the others are visitors that fell in love with the island’s bountiful wildlife, produce and scenery and never left. And, after visiting for myself, it’s hard not to want to become part of the latter.
Even approaching the island overhead on my 15:40 EasyJet flight, I was enamoured. I suppose you could call it love at first sight.
After just over an hour, the tires hit the runway and rumbled to a halt. I passed through ‘Nothing to Declare’ and was greeted by Lisa, a warm and friendly cabby from Domino, one of the Island’s local taxi firms.
“Did you have a good flight? Where is it you’ve come from?” she smiled through the rear view mirror.
“Manchester,” I replied.
With almost perfect comical timing it then started spitting.
“I see you’ve brought the weather with you,” Lisa joked with a smile.
She wasn’t wrong. It’d been an awfully dreary summer this year and I’d actually been looking forward to catching some of the slightly better weather often associated with this side of the channel. But even with the grey clouds overhead threatening a storm, Jersey still looked pretty as a picture.
I spent the scenic 10-minute journey falling in love with the bays, watching as older couples took their evening stroll after dinner and young families spending quality time together on the beach, dogs racing after sand-covered tennis balls and bounding into the waves to retrieve them, shaking their salty coats at their owners’ feet and looking up gleefully as if to say 'Again! again!'. It’s what movie moments are made of.
My home for the weekend was L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa, located right on St Brelade's Bay, boasting panoramic views of the sea and surrounding cliff sides.
Part of Hand Picked Hotels, a beautiful collection of 21 privately-owned, luxury country houses and coastal retreats, L'Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa is a stylish and perfectly situated place to dine, unwind and explore.
Built in 1850 by George Hicks, a colonel in the Bengal Army, the hotel has a hint of the Mediterranean about it whilst also boasting an unmistakably British vibe. L'Horizon's interior is timelessly classic and effortlessly chic, offering plenty of space for relaxing, natural light and unmissable views from every angle.
As well as 106 bedrooms and AA rosette on-site restaurant The Grill, the hotel has its own spa complete with indoor pool, jacuzzi, gym and treatment rooms, plus a stunning Terrace for cocktails accompanied by unrivalled views of the golden sands and crystal-clear waters of St Brelade's Bay, making it a popular spot for both guests and islanders.
On their website Hand Picked Hotels describe it as 'an island retreat', encouraging guests to take things easy and recharge whilst enjoying the 'warm welcome and flawless hospitality.'
I stayed in the Beauport suite (249), a large room with all the mod cons you could need plus its own lounge area and balcony off to the side providing picturesque sea views.
Stylishly kitted out to match the hotel's timelessly classic theme, whilst also comfortably modern, I felt well at home and settled in nicely, taking full advantage of the well-stocked tea and coffee bar as I brewed up and stepped out onto the deck to let that salty sea breeze brush against my cheeks.
After breathing it all in, I got ready for dinner and headed down to The Grill - the hotel's on-site restaurant with two AA rosettes.
Committed to sourcing the best ingredients available from the island's rich landscapes and crystal clear waters, The Grill showcases the flavours of Jersey, with seafood and fresh, seasonal vegetables featuring heavily on the menu.
We aim to take you on a culinary journey that excites the palate by carefully matching some more exotic ingredients to create dishes that enhance the island’s finest produce.
