posted 10 Aug 2007 in Volume 10 Issue 3

Country report: Review – Club Hotel and Spa

By Anna Head, international supplements director

St Helier in Jersey has been woefully short of five-star hotels – up until now. The Club Hotel and Spa, part of the Huggler group, opened at the end of 2005, and has already gained an enviable reputation. It was even mentioned in the Harpers and Queen 2006 International Spa guide – no mean feat considering the formidable competition.

The hotel is located in the heart of St Helier; a stone’s throw from the leading law firms and a gentle walk from the shopping centre and seafront.

It has an eclectic feel to it – stylishly contemporary, yet without the cold starkness of some modern buildings. As a boutique hotel, its 38 bedrooms and eight suites ensure a personal service, thankfully with no corporate feel at all. The rooms have been equipped with all the latest high-tech gadgetry, including large flat-screen televisions. Whereas bathrooms are a let down in many hotels, this is certainly not the case at the Club and Spa. Having a good soak in large baths set in reassuringly-expensive granite, you can listen to your favourite programme piped into the bathroom.

Two very big bonuses to staying at this hotel are the fabulous Spa and the Michelin star restaurant.

Treat yourself to a knot-busting pampering massage in attractive and peaceful treatment rooms, or go for a swim in the indoor pool with its Jacuzzi... Or try out the rather fun ‘treatment’ showers with rainforest effect.

But the pièce de résistance is The Bohemia restaurant with its Michelin Star. Chef Shaun Rankin stresses the fresh Jersey produce, much of which is specifically caught, reared or grown for The Bohemia. It is an inventive menu, and the food is exquisitely presented, adding to the whole wonderful dining experience. The menu includes such tantalising dishes as turbot with braised frogs’ legs; sea bass and scallop Carpaccio; and roast suckling pig with apple and quince. The food is complemented by an impressive wine list. A tell-tale sign of a good restaurant is its popularity among the locals. The Bohemia is packed with them.

For those with less expensive tastes try the New York style Club café, which has a good choice of reasonably-priced café food and is strongly recommended. It is especially good for a quick but enjoyable business lunch.

A small outdoor pool and terrace complete the picture of this rather stylish, sophisticated, individual hotel, which has the excellent service to back it up. It is an ideal hotel for a business trip or for a rather spoiling short break – only a 40-minute flight from London. Check online for the special packages offered throughout the year.