The Atlantic Hotel
If you’re looking for a weekend Island retreat with a touch of luxury, then The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey has the answer. Behiye Hassan spent the weekend at one of the Good Food Guide’s 2020 gastronomic hotspots.
Jersey may not be an obvious destination for a short winter break, but there’s no denying there’s a certain exotic charm about flying to the Channel Islands to take in the bays for a few days out of peak season. Jetting off from the mainland for a trip that’s not too far away but seems enticingly remote gives an unusual thrill.
Situated on the west coast to the south of Les Mielles nature reserve and overlooking St Ouen’s Bay, The Atlantic Hotel is enviably appointed in one of the most stunning locations on the islands, offering romantic sunsets and striking ocean views making it the ideal place to relax and unwind.
When we arrived on a Friday evening the hotel entrance was lit up with a stunning display of fairy lights making it festive and welcoming. After checking in our first stop was dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Ocean restaurant has won a Michelin star for the past 11 years thanks to executive chef Will Holland whose menu samples and celebrates local ingredients. The seafood comes from the bay below each morning, and the lobster and oysters are reputed to be the freshest in Europe due to the island’s tides. We opted for the Market menu which is three courses and changes daily. For our mains we enjoyed John Dory fillet with lobster tagliatelle, wilted spinach and truffle and chargrilled vegetables with tomato couscous and pesto. Both of which were delicious. However our desserts (Vanilla Cheesecake and Black Forest Gateau) stole the show – stunning to look at and mouthwateringly delicious.
The hotel itself is in an eye-catching 1970s modernist building with cool lines and rows of balconies. Inside, there’s a grand piano by the dining room and an elegant fish pond. The décor throughout has a seaside theme featuring white, sand, grey and blue colours.
The next morning, we woke up to a stunning view of the bay and the sea from our room. The majority of its the rooms face either the sea or the golf course, while its Atlantic Suite makes a claim to “offer the most luxurious accommodation on the Channel Islands”.
Those in need of some serious self-care can indulge at The Palm Club, a luxurious spa with indoor pool, jacuzzi, gym and saunas. There’s an outdoor pool, too , a tennis court with spectacular views of the bay and a small reading room tucked away in the lounge with books, magazine, and board games
If you’re feeling active, you can take advantage of the hotel’s proximity to La Moye golf course or even try your hand at surfing or paragliding. For more leisurely pursuits, a stroll along the five miles of sandy beach, which is just a 15-minute walk away, can be a chance to check out the gastro cafes dotted along the bay. Birdwatchers have the nearby Jersey Wetland Centre to explore. Meanwhile La Corbiere Lighthouse is also a short drive or a scenic 40-minute walk away.
Whether your looking for an outdoor pursuit or just want to lock yourself away indoors for a weekend, The Atlantic Hotel will welcome you with open arms. You won’t want to leave.