GOOD FOOD CHANNEL

reputation as a culinary destination. This tiny island off the coast of France – just nine miles wide and four miles deep– boasts three Michelin-starred restaurants.

In the modest capital, St Helier, there’s Ormer where Shaun Rankin holds court, and there’s Steve Smith’s Bohemia, at The Club Hotel & Spa. Both have fine dining reputations, but I’m drawn again by the sound of the sea, to Ocean at the Atlantic Hotel.

Sitting high above the west coast, the Atlantic has allowed talented chef Mark Jordan free rein to make the most of island produce. Amid the contemporary sea-salted shades of an elegant dining room, signature dishes include langoustine tails, served on a hot rock with oyster mayonnaise and ebène caviar.

That’s one you may have seen on TV’s Saturday Kitchen.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. And, as with any trip, the getting there is half the story.

After that beachside beer, I take the coast road north to Etacquerel, where Faulkner Fisheries perches precariously above the rocks and offers famous summer barbecues where you can dine on fish straight from the sea, looking over the golden sands of St Ouen’s Bay.

I follow the mazy, narrow roads – stopping whenever the whim takes me. There’s a viewpoint and café at Piemont Point, almost the most northerly tip of Jersey, and La Mare Wine Estate at St Mary offers tastings and local produce.

We wend our way around a loose circle, heading back to our base for the weekend, the Atlantic Hotel in Saint Brelade which sits on Le Mont de la Pulente – above that beach bar – with views out to sea on one side, and across an immaculate golf course on the other.

The hotel sits in six acres of grounds adjoining La Moye golf course and enjoys dramatic views over St Ouen’s Bay – a conservation area of outstanding natural beauty.

Opened in 1970 and since refurbished and remodelled, it’s a sleek three-storey hotel, with seaview room balconies reminiscent of those on a classic Cunard ship. Designers aimed for the crisp, clean feel of 1930s marine architecture – a style synonymous with luxury.

And they nailed it. In local family ownership since it opened, the Atlantic has gained a reputation as one of the top hotels in the British

Isles, and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. When candidates on TV’s The Apprentice deserved a treat, Sir Alan Sugar sent them here.

The grounds also host an outdoor pool and sun terrace, tennis courts and a health club. There are relaxing lounge areas, one opening out onto the terrace and pool, and a bar which offers bar meals.

Standard bedrooms are wellappointed – ask for an Ocean View room for full effect – with a king-size or two twin beds, white walls and elegant oak and satinwood furniture. There are a couple of chairs, a sofa and writing desk. Fullheight sliding windows look out over the pool to the ocean beyond.

A marble en-suite bathroom boasts stylish Hans Grohe fittings and toiletries by Molton Brown. The room rate includes complimentary data port and wi-fi, satellite TV including sport and movies, combination safe, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers.

The fruit bowl, refreshed daily, is a nice touch. There’s mineral water, tea and coffee-making facillities, plus 24-hour room service with dishes from that Michelin star kitchen if you just want to chill out.