Hop The Channel this summer and head to one of the Channel Island’s chicest boutique hotels and restaurants, Banjo Jersey. 

Inside a grand, one-time Victorian gentleman’s club sits one of Jersey’s finest and freshest restaurants. The unusually titled, Banjo (we’ll get to the name later) sits pride of place in Jersey’s town centre, beside a beautiful Victorian market, which still runs much the same way selling delicious island produce, handmade chocolates and local flowers to name a few of its charming stalls.

Banjo is impressive; as you walk up the domineering entrance stairs you’re greeted by a formal yet friendly maître d. A wide, winding Victorian staircase takes centre stage with two dining rooms leading off, one to the left and one to the right.

The menu, which celebrates fresh, local produce with an Asian influence, is served up in each of the two dining rooms, the only difference is the décor. To the left is a more formal dining room, with the building’s original Victorian fireplace making a focal point, beautiful fresh flowers, dusty pink leather chairs and delicate chandeliers hanging overhead. The other has more of a brassiere vibe – all dark wood, masculine striped booths with a bar sitting up top. So whether you’re after a formal meal or a more upbeat, weekend vibe, you’ve got the choice without loosing out on the same great food or having to cough up the added price tag.

As well as a light-drenched atrium bar that sits to the back of the building and multiple private dining and function rooms, Banjo also plays host to four beautiful bedrooms, the Ernest, Edith, Leslie and the Percy.

Banjo does that restaurant-come-hotel thing perfectly. There’s no concierge or reception as such, so unlike staying in a hotel there’s more of a guesthouse atmosphere, albeit decked out in five-star luxury.

Each of the four rooms are generous in size, but with their own unique décor and charm. We stayed in the Leslie room – all rustic wooden furniture, and a huge bed hidden beneath layers and layers of luxurious cashmere and lambs wool, soft oaty shades and muted greys. Above the bed hang two statement, concertina lamps that can be pulled right over and out for the ultimate reading spot. Whilst the bathroom is kitted out with a huge bath, separate shower, luxury toiletries and beautiful, ornate tiles flown in from North Africa.

There’s a homely vibe. That is if your home has been plucked from the pages of a glossy, interiors magazine.

Like all of Banjo, the rooms have been designed by the restaurant’s in-house team. Under the Jersey Pottery company, which has beautiful restaurants dotted all over the island from the beachfront Oyster Box to the very reasonably priced Crab Shack (be sure to check both out if you’re visiting the isle), the company is family run and has been so for decades.

And it is the name of Banjo that holds family ties too. The brother duo, who run the company, named the restaurant in honour of their grandfather – a famous Banjo player. There are visual anecdotes dotted around the property too, from the grandfather’s original Banjo to black and white photos of him and his band. The four bedrooms are also named after members of the Banjo band, again adding to that warm, family feeling and integrity of the brand.

Back to Banjo’s USP – the food, and we decided to eat in the restaurant’s more formal dining room. For starters, there’s plenty of fresh local fish and seafood to choose from. We went for the chargrilled chilli squid with rocket and lemon , which was fresh, light and full of flavour with an Asian influence. And for main, there’s plenty of British classics to choose from like the slow cooked pork belly with pancetta and sage wrapped tenderloin – a must-try if you’re after something warming and hearty.

There are plenty of fresh fish dishes too, including brill and lemon sole, as well as fresh local oysters, and the famous Jersey Royal potatoes, which are a must no matter what you order. Everything is served up beautifully presented on Jersey Pottery dinnerware, which is designed in house too, and sold in the company’s shop around the corner, as well as in some of the world’s finest stores, from Harrods to Liberty.

After a hefty main, we decided to order the fresh sounding strawberry trifle for dessert. Unbeknown to us, this actually comes deconstructed in three mini desserts, again belly-filling but super satisfying.

And the best bit? After a decadent dinner and perhaps a few cocktails in the Banjo bar, your bed is ready and waiting for you to enjoy a food-induced, satisfying slumber.

If only all restaurants came with rooms.

Need To Know:

Rooms: Four rooms

Rates: Rooms start from £125 per night

Facilities:

In the rooms: free WiFi, complimentary mini bar, Nespresso coffee machine, iPod dock and music centre, flat screen TV and luxury toiletries.

In Banjo: Dining room, brasserie, bar and cigar terrace. Although Banjo does not have a traditional 24 hour concierge service, the staff are more than happy to help you organise anything you may want or need.

Check out time: Banjo are very flexible, simply arrange before you arrive.

How to get there: Regular flights run everyday from London Gatwick to Jersey Airport, from approx. £80 return. Banjo is approximately a 15minute car journey from the Airport.

Banjo, 8 Beresford Street, St.Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands JE2 4WN  Tel. 01534 850890  www.banjojersey.com

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