For a weekend of fine dining and pampering, head to one of Jersey’s top travel destinations, The Club Hotel & Spa.
If you’ve never been to the island of Jersey, now’s the time to explore. Once famed for Bergerac, potatoes and perhaps its slightly older tourist clientele, this tiny island in the English Channel has had a rebrand of late.
Don’t get us wrong, the island has always been a beautiful; with its award-winning clean beaches and secret bays, winding country roads and ‘warmest place in the British Isles’ credentials, there’s no wonder it’s often named as the perfect British seaside break or place to holiday with little ones.
In recent years however, Jersey has gone through somewhat of a transformation, as Michelin star restaurants, trendy bars, luxury hotels and spas have popped up on the tiny nine-by-five mile isle.
Jersey’s booming finance industry has probably got a lot to do with the cosmopolitan change, but as mainlanders Jersey offers the perfect short-break destination for some much needed R&R.
One such place that offers all of the above is Jersey’s Club Hotel and Spa. StyleNest were lucky enough to jump The Channel for a two-night indulgent stay at the hotel, where fine dining, spa treatments and more come in hefty doses.
Situated in the center of Jersey’s capital, St.Helier, The Club has the island’s bars and shops on its doorstep. You may want to hire a car or take the local buses to the wealth of beaches and tourist attractions the island has to offer too, from the pretty Plémont Bay on the North West coast to the Jersey War Tunnels, which tells the incredible story of the island’s German occupation during WWII.
Staying in the hotel however has its benefits. Our suite was a calming mix of blue suede, clean white linens and traditional checks. A separate lounge area connects the bedroom – perfect for lazying away the day with a good book or film, whilst the giant, incredibly comfortable beds call out for long lie ins. The bathrooms are equally as plush, with a huge double shower, deep baths, fluffy robes and luxurious Elemis toiletries.
Dining is definitely The Club’s USP, with its sister Michelin-starred Bohemia restaurant on the ground floor. Recently taken over by acclaimed chef, Steve Smith the restaurant and menu takes diners on a gastronomic island tour, from the sea to the farms, be it fresh Lobster or Jersey Royals.
Surrounded by dark wood paneled walls, white tablecloths and high-back leather chairs, the restaurant looks and feels like a Michelin star restaurant. The food lives up to expectations too, with no less than four tasting menus and a slightly cheaper classic menu on offer.
We opted for the classic Tasting Menu, a decadent eight-course feast for the eyes and the taste buds. From beginning to end, the food is consistently delicious from the palette cleansing rocket, lemon and ginger to the hearty venison with morel and wild garlic.
Before being sat at our table we tucked into some beautifully constructed nibbles and a refreshing G&T. Served up in miniature sizes and quirky presentations, like a vintage caviar tin and adorned with pretty wild garlic flowers; they were almost too beautiful to eat.
The tasting menu allowed us to sample some of the wonderful produce of Jersey, and chef Smith’s passion and knowledge for foraging and sourcing ingredients locally.
From smocked haddock with creamy hen’s yolk and mustard to rich foie gras and duck salad, fresh local turbot and shimp to hearty venison with morel and wild garlic; each and every dish was one delight after the other.
Although we had eight courses with wonderfully paired drinks that didn’t just include world wines, but some more unusual options like smoked Chinese tea, surprisingly we didn’t feel too stuff. Full, definitely but Smith has a talent for balancing each dish perfectly, whilst keeping each mouthful bursting with rich flavour.
We skipped on cheese but indulged in the perfect mix of sweet and tart raspberry, white chocolate and mint dessert, before heading up to our room for a well-earned sleep.
The next day we attempted to balance out the night before’s vices with a healthy breakfast of muesli, natural yoghurt and lashings of fresh fruit, before heading to The Club’s spa.
Nestled beneath the hotel, the spa is small in size but big in pampering. The therapists are warm and welcoming and instantly make you feel at ease.
If you’re visiting the spa as a duo, make the most of The Club’s double treatment room where you can have a massage next to your partner or joint facials with a girlfriend.
The menu is extensive with face and body treatments, massage therapies, ayurvedic therapies and gentleman’s treatments. We highly recommend the Perfect Balance Ayurvedic Facial, which works to repair and rejuvenate cells and balance out skin conditions. Our skin was left radiant, supple and free from imperfections.
After our treatments we spent the afternoon in the spa’s relaxation room, tranquil pool which is filled with salt water – much better for the skin, and the toxin-clearing herbal steam room.
The hotel also boasts an outdoor pool, hidden and secluded behind the building for upmost tranquility. Weather permitting, we highly recommend you take a dip.
At just 43 rooms and suites, The Club is small, making it the perfect place for you and your other half, or a friend to escape the nine-to-five for a few days and simply chill out. With its gastronomic credentials and luxury spa, this hotel definitely has a grown-up feel to it, and given the fact that it’s less than an hour’s flight from London makes for the perfect short romantic break without even having to leaving the UK.
Need to Know
Rooms: 43 rooms and suites
Rates: rates vary from £109 to £220 per night
Facilities: Michelin star Bohemia Restaurant, Honesty Bar, spa, pool and spa facilities, and spa treatments, free WIFI, 24 hour room service, Elemis toiletries, continental breakfast, rooftop bar and terrace, free car parking for guests, flat screen TVs with Satellite TV.
Check out time: 12 noon
How to get there: Regular British Airways flights run everyday from London Gatwick to Jersey Airport, from approx. £80 return. The Club Hotel & Spa is a 15minute car journey from the Airport.
The Club Hotel & Spa, Green Street, St.Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands JE2 4UH Tel. 01534 867500 www.theclubjersey.com
Visit The Club Hotel & Spa’s website for Steve Smith’s food and foraging masterclasses, here.
See our roundup of the best staycation spots from around the UK.