REVIEW: The Club Hotel & Spa, Jersey

Jersey has always been a bit of an enigma to me. Before visiting I knew very little about the tiny island just off the coast of the UK. Tax haven? Popular place to retire? Holiday home for the wealthy? So, with the opportunity to visit for a weekend, I jumped at it. A quick flight over – just one hour – and then a 20-minute bus ride, I found myself at one of the island’s most talked-about hotels, surrounded by beaches, walking trails and castles.

The Club Hotel and Spa Jersey review

One of the largest Channel Islands just off the coast of France, Jersey is a self-governing dependency of the UK. However, unlike any other British coastal town I’d been to before, dotted around St Helier, road signs are in both French and English, giving it a distinctive feel.

I wanted to get a better idea of Jersey, so before heading to the hotel, I explored the town of St Helier. I popped into the shops (a must for bargains) and walked across the breath-taking Harve de Pas beach to Elizabeth Castle and watched the sun reflect off the sand as the tide was out. St Helier is a wonderfully calm and peaceful town and is the perfect place to get away for a weekend.

The Club Hotel and Spa

Located in Jersey’s capital St Helier, The Club Hotel and Spa’s façade wasn’t as enticing as I hoped and the lacklustre building didn’t seem to have the makings of a five-star hotel in this picturesque town. The AA Red Star hotel’s location, however, was ideal and, despite it being so close to the shops and the harbour, it was set away enough to avoid most of the hustle and bustle.

Inside the hotel was very different to outside and felt a lot more luxury. The reception area was smart and airy, with neutral colours and the odd pop of colour. It did, however, feel in need of a refurb as it was a little outdated. Despite this, the hotel had plenty of lovely amenities, including a roof terrace which caught the sun beautifully, a light and spacious dining area for breakfast, a Michelin-starred restaurant, an outside swimming pool, luxury spa and a cosy honesty lounge, where you could help yourself to a selection of drinks, sit in a cosy armchair and read a magazine.

Indulge at The Club Spa

If you’re looking for unadulterated relaxation, you have to book yourself into the low-lit sanctuary The Club Spa at the hotel. There is an indoor salt-water pool and I also took the opportunity to swim in the outside heated pool. Back inside there is a good sauna and a unique way to cool down in an ‘experience shower’, which is, well, an experience – essentially, water was sprayed at me in every direction as I stood in a mosaic chamber.

For a bit of extra pampering, I checked myself in for an extra treat in the form of a luxurious massage, which didn’t disappoint. I opted for the Aromatic Fusion (£68) which was said to relax your mind and muscles, and soothe your stresses. After 55 minutes of having my shoulders, head and back massaged in a quiet room, I felt very zen, and for the first time in ages, relaxed. Then, the lovely therapist took me to the relaxation room post-massage, where I helped myself to herbal tea and closed my eyes (and possibly fell asleep).

A deluxe double room at The Club Jersey

After researching the rooms avidly before the trip, I think my room was perhaps the smallest one in the hotel, so I was a bit disappointed. The Deluxe Double (starting at £149) was very basic and the décor followed the exact muted tones from the corridor. The view from my room was the outside wall of the building next door, with a birds-eye-view of the guests in the restaurant below, so I kept the blinds shut throughout our stay.

The bathroom was a little cramped and the bath had seen better days. Already underwhelmed, I also struggled to change the setting on the shower head from dribble to fast dribble… Although, the Elemis products (also used in the spa) were a really lovely touch and the complimentary turn-down service with local shortbread was nice, too.

Bohemia restaurant at The Club Jersey

It’s safe to say the hotel didn’t make the greatest first impression but after eating at the Michelin-starred Bohemia, the The Club Hotel made a well-deserved comeback. Bohemia boasts 5 AA Rosettes and is ranked 11th best in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2018. Resident chef, Steve Smith, has held his Michelin star for 15 years and so I was very excited about dinner. We talked to some locals who were dining alongside us and they said this was THE place that those who live here bring people for dinner to impress and I can see why.

Greeted by extremely friendly staff and an attentive manager, I was sat down in the dark, romantic area of the restaurant which was packed out with eager faces all waiting to try from one of the amazing menus. I went for the 10-course Prestige menu (a reasonable £89), but you can also go for the ‘lighter’ eight-course Tasting Menu (£79) which also comes as a veggie option. I paired the meal with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, AND a cheeky glass of Malbec – you can’t have white wine with braised lamb, right? I also ate platefuls of delicious food including smoked eel and rock samphire, which was full of flavour. Despite the intricate portions, when it was time for the supplementary cheese course I actually had to decline as I was so full. I finished the evening with coffee and beautiful chocolates served from a wooden box, each placed delicately on a bed of coffee beans, which was delightful.

The next day, I was treated to The Champagne Bohemian Afternoon Tea, which comes in at £29.95 (the classic option without fizz starts at £19.95). The dreamy banquet came with delicate cakes, giant fruit and plain scones, as well as coronation chicken and artichoke finger sandwiches. It felt very thoughtful and was worth the price. Plus, the glass of champagne really made the experience extra special. Once again, the waitress was attentive and informative when it came to the tea options, running through each one in great detail. The Afternoon Tea is certainly the perfect treat for a loved one – or for yourself!

Jersey is a must-see if you enjoy quiet, romantic weekend breaks away. There is an air of wealth, but it isn’t in your face and there are people of all ages, too. The Club Hotel and Spa is the ideal place to set up base when exploring the beautiful island. It’s just a short walk from the beach and within east access to the town, shops and restaurants. Generally, the hotel is in need of some updating to attract a younger audience but the staff were friendly and the setting idea for what we were looking for. The spa was a great experience and if you’re looking for luxury, pampering and indulgence, the extravagance of Bohemia is highly recommended. But, I do also recommend grabbing a bag of chips and head to the harbour to watch the sunset – the colours are phenomenal!