THE LOWDOWN

Fancy island hopping without leaving the UK? It’s easier than you think. Jersey is a Channel Island sitting pretty just 85 miles off the UK coast (14 miles from France), offering beautiful beaches, rich history, a tasty foodie scene, and warmer temperatures than you’ll get at home. It’s also a zippy 65 min flight, so all the fun without out the time commitment.

St Helier is the island’s capital and it’s here you’ll find the four star The Club Hotel & Spa. What it lacks in good look on the outside, it makes up for with a stylish interior with bold modern artworks, luxury spa, rooftop cocktail garden, honesty Gin Bar and Jersey’s only Michelin star restaurant, Bohemia – a serious foodie destination for anyone working through the Michelin’s illustrious constellations.

The hotel is well located for exploring: shops, beaches and bars are all within walking distance. For adventures further afield you’ll need to take a taxi or bus. It’s a small island and definitely worth exploring if you have the time.

THE VIBE

The decor is smart. You’ll find a bit of a blank canvas of neutral colours, wood and glass panelling, with bold splashes of colour interrupting the mellow vibe from bold art and colourful rugs. It’s safe rather than wow, but still feels indulgent.

Head downstairs to Bohemia Bar & Restaurant and there’s more personality. The bar area is a playful space with blossom trees and trailing foliage on the ceiling, retro print banquettes and a sense that much naughtiness could easily unfold here. The restaurant opened its doors in 2004 and has held a Michelin star for 19 years. It’s dark, moody and sophisticated without being stuffy.

The Cocktail Roof Garden above Bohemia grows many of the herbs and mints for the drinks and offers a place for lunch or drinks in the sun. The weather was not exactly balmy during our visit, so we propped up the bar, but a glam squad of girls celebrating a birthday trotted up there and settled in until their blue lips couldn’t be disguised by MAC’s Ruby Woo lippy.

The Club also has a Gin Honesty Bar – a world first – allowing guests to mix their own G&Ts in the small library setting, There are many gins to choose from each with tasting notes. A nice touch that feels a bit naughty.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Jersey’s only Michelin starred restaurant, Bohemia is a must-visit restaurant with a contemporary European menu that reads like a love letter to Jersey’s local producers. The man making the gastronomic magic happen is chef Callum Graham who showcases his foodie flare and the island’s French cultural touch points to produce dishes that pack a flavour punch, are adventurous, and delicious.

Take the painful decision making out of the equation and opt for Callum’s six course Signature Tasting Menu (which includes vegetarian and pescatarian menus). I often find there’s usually one dish that doesn’t quite hit the spot, but I struggled to find fault – even when I spotted veal sweetbreads. We also opted for the wine flight, because glasses are way more fun when you let the experts run riot in their playground.

So tuck in your napkin, loosen your belt and prepare to tuck in. Tastebuds are tickled with a trio of appetizers, plus a selection of bread served with seaweed infused butter – yup, seaweed, and it totally works.

The first dish on the menu was an explosion of colour and flavour: tomato salad, burrata, nasturtium, with yellow tomato and scotch bonnet sorbet. So fresh, just enough heat. The sommelier paired it with a cheeky French white, Domaine Langlois-Chateau Vieilles Vignes, an extraordinary Chenin Blanc.

The greatest hits continued: Jersey white crab meat and brown crab and almond panna cotta, paired with a full bodied Pazo Barrantes, the roasted veal sweetbreads (mentally a bit challenging, but always game) served with butternut and parmesan purée was rich and worth stepping out of my comfort zone.

We moved onto to roasted saddle of lamb, barbecued Merguez sausage and baba ganoush which was perfectly pink, and tasty, only enhanced by the glass of Chateau Pinaeraie, a smooth, jammy red.

Heading towards the end game, the cheese course is optional, but do not skip past this (unless you’re lactose intolerant). The cheese selection is epic, smother it in local honey and eat it all. De-li-cious!

If you’re celebrating, are a foodie or just want to luxe up your weekend, book a table here. It’s a culinary adventure not to be missed. The restaurant itself is atmospheric – dimly lit, wood panelled and the wine glass chandelier is a showstopper.

Elsewhere the food is good but simpler. The bar menu offers burgers and fish and chips and there’s a decent breakfast menu that includes full English, crushed avocado and sourdough with chilli and lime or waffles – and there’s a chilled bottle Prosecco, if you fancy starting early.

PILLOW TALK

This boutique hotel offers 38 Deluxe Double rooms and 8 Suites, over three floors. You’ll find floor to ceiling windows, draped in dreamy sheer curtains and a 50 shades of brown colour palette – think mocha (very on trend as Pantone’s colour of the year) and caramel tones, with large beds draped in crisp white Frette linen.

The ensuite in our corner room was big, with double sink, shower and separate bath – the brown marble and corner shower cubicle were a bit tired, but there was plenty of space to waft about in our fluffy bathrobes and slippers. All the rooms have a decent hair dryer too, the Elemis toiletries are a luxe touch when you’re travelling with a small weekend bag, and there’s free WIFI and a desk if you’re working. 

Personally, I would prefer an injection of colour and pattern – I’m all about dopamine decor – but minimalists will love the sense of calm, natural materials and crisp finish. Whatever your style, a night of quality zzzs is guaranteed.

THE SPA

If you’re all about the R&R, The Club has an impressive subterranean spa. The salt-water pool and thermal suite, comprising of a Salt Cabin, Herbal Steam Room and Experience Shower, plus a soothing Relaxation Sanctuary offering four reclining beds with fruit and herbal teas. Treatments are also worth the indulgence, there are five treatment rooms (including a couple’s treatment room) and a Rasul mud room.

The Rasul mud treatment is popular, the Ayurvedic therapies will leave you feeling blissed-out, but for you can;t go wrong with a relaxing massage or purifying facials. During the warmer months head straight to the small outdoor pool, located in courtyard garden that is a private oasis to catch some rays.

ACCESSIBILITY

Guests with accessibility issues will have no problems getting to and from their rooms, but the spa and treatment rooms will be a challenge. 

KID FRIENDLY?

Yes. Children are welcome in the spa pool and a family suite is available. Bohemia is far too grown-up for most kids – especially if their culinary curiosity doesn’t stretch beyond a fish finger. But the bar offers lunch, dinner and afternoon tea and it’s got a cool retro vibe that will hit the spot for parents.

DOG-FRIENDLY?

No, woofers are not permitted at The Club Hotel & Spa, with the exception of assistance dogs.

OUT & ABOUT

St Helier is well worth exploring – with a heritage charm and plenty indie spots to explore. Turn left out of The Club and make your way to Central Market. This stunning Victorian covered market is packed with exciting indie traders, selling everything from fresh flowers, fruit, veg and fancy chocolates to wine, antiques, fashion and vinyl records.

We stopped for a coffee at La Bouche a super-cool family-run café serving banging coffee. Stroll through the streets and mooch in the shop, eventually you arrive in Liberation Square with its iconic bronze statue. From here you’ll find beaches, boats and Elizabeth Castle (closed until Mar 2025) which dates back to Sir Walter Raleigh when he was Governor of Jersey. St Helier Beach and Havre de Pas tidal pool are worth visiting, but you might want to go when temperatures are in double digits.

Further afield, make your way to Jersey War Tunnels – an exhibition housed within underground tunnels built by the Germans using slave labour that shows what life was really like in Jersey during WWII. For something more serene, join Jersey Walk Adventures on a foraging walk along the coast. Our guide Sheila took us along the coastal path and beach near St Catherine, where we scanned the hedgerow like it was an all you can eat buffet.

THE VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Foodies, romantic getaways, family stays, girly weekends and history nerds. The Club’s foodie rep, excellent spa and central location gives it all-rounder appeal.

NOT FOR: Wild weekender types. The island’s rich in history and The Club has an R&R vibe may not hit the spot for hedonists.

THE DAMAGE: Good value, particularly during the low season from £99, high season, including breakfast. Bohemia’s 5-course tasting menu is £129pp, wine flight from £65pp. 

GETTING THERE: EasyJet fly from Luton or London Gatwick from £28 return.

The Club Hotel & Spa, Green St, JE2 4UH, Jersey. Tel: 01534 876500