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St Brelade’s Bay Hotel, Jersey WHERE AND WHY
Situated in the south of the island and a 10-minute taxi ride from Jersey Airport, this historic hotel takes centre stage at stunning St Brelade’s Bay.
Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Channel Islands, it dates back to the 19th century and combines an old-school feel with a classy contemporary overhaul.
Whether it’s the sand and sea or the five acres of beautiful gardens, there is a wonderful view from every one of the 77 rooms. We stayed in the Bay Suite, which features a separate lounge and king-sized bedroom – immaculate yet homely.
Jersey being a small island, nothing is very far away. Elizabeth Castle in nearby St Helier is a 15-acre fortress where Sir Walter Raleigh, the governor of Jersey at the start of the 17th century, would keep an eye out for invaders.
St Brelade’s Bay Hotel does not date quite so far back and, through regular and thoughtful refurbishment, its traditional roots are complemented by state-of-the art facilities such as the DW Health Club, indoor pool and spa.
When Storm Ciaran is not on the guest list, you can dine poolside at the Petit Port cafe.
ON THE MENU
After a drink in the intimate cocktail bar, the first thing that greets you in the Bay Restaurant is the view. Thankfully, dinner does it justice. And if you pick well, you can see where your meal is coming from, because the kitchen prides itself on local produce.
My wife went for scallops (£10) as a starter and pan-seared sea bass fillet (£24) for her main course while I opted for an Atlantic Prawn Cocktail (£10) and Gourmet Burger (£21).
Dessert would not have been dessert without some Jersey ice cream (£2.50).
WHILE YOU ARE THERE
Left defenceless by the British, Jersey was occupied by Nazi Germany from June 1940 until liberation in May 1945. During that time, the Germans built an underground hospital in St Lawrence, surrounded by 1,100 yards of tunnels which now serve as a museum detailing what life was like under the five years of Nazi occupation.
WAKE UP CALL
Rooms at St Brelade’s Bay Hotel, Jersey, start at £158 a night B&B, stbreladesbayhotel.com
If you want to feel more involved in the culture, then there are some craft classes on offer where you’ll be shown how to do traditional Thai handicrafts. The Craft Creator Studio lets you use a special wax-glue mixture to create a batik – a painted scarf with intricate patterns similar to a tie-dye.
Visitors who want to experience the backpacker’s lifestyle should head to Khao San Road which is lit up in bright lights at night and is full of tourists, bars and parties. Cannabis is now legal in Thailand so those who want to partake can find some for as little as £2 in the official shops dotted all around the city.
Finally, experience one of the famous food markets, Or Tor Kor, where there’s an abundance of barbecued meats, curried seafood, spice pastes, satay sticks, desserts like mango sticky rice and fresh fruits for as little as £1 a dish. The mango in Thailand tastes nothing like ours here in the UK and I’d highly recommend eating copious amounts.
Travellers looking for a hotel with a great bar can check out Innside by Melia which boasts a pool bar on its top floor with panoramic views and a giant swing (not advised for those afraid of heights).
Krabi: two nights
Having hopped on a plane over to Krabi you’ll immediately be taken in by the change in atmosphere