At just a quick 30-minute flight or a leisurely 3-hour ferry ride, the picturesque island of Guernsey is just a short journey from the UK.
We stayed at the only five-star hotel on the island, at The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, a glorious and historic building that is situated in the heart of St Peter Port, just a short stroll from the quayside and the bustling shops.
Straight away, we were greeted by friendly and warm staff who made every effort to make our stay as wonderful as possible. What really struck me was that every detail is catered for when booking a room, you are asked about your favourite colours and music, and in turn, the staff look to match you with a suitable room that has your favourite music playing as you check in.
Quite often in 5-star hotels, you can feel that whilst the staff are well-meaning and polite, that it can feel rather impersonal, but at The Old Government House this is not the case and you truly do feel like a friend. The staff go above and beyond to help you and make a real difference to your stay which was evident from the valet and waitresses, all the way up to management which was very refreshing.
Our room was beautifully designed and had wonderful sea views which were stunning and you could easily while away the hours gazing out to sea on the comfortable window seat. The complimentary toiletries were L’Occitane which smelt so nice, I am now a L’Occitane convert for sure!
As well as being a luxury hotel, it is also pet friendly, so feel free to bring your BDF (Best Dog Friend) over for a mini break too! The hotel itself is steeped in history and as the name suggests, it used to be the residence for the Governor of Guernsey up until 1858 when it became a hotel.
I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Front of House Manager Andi who was delightful and gave me lots of tips for wonderful places to visit on the island. Andi also explained about the hotels renowned ‘Gin Passport’ where you can get to sample 35 diverse types of gin including Guernsey’s own Blue Bottle gin which is one of the nicest that I have ever tasted!
They also carry out gin tastings (for those that don’t want to commit to trying 35 different types of gin, tempting as it is!) whiskey tastings, as well as running cocktail masterclasses.
The hotel has two restaurants, both of which are widely popular with both guests and residents. The Curry House which as you would expect provides Indian cuisine, but this has a slight South African twist with the chef being from South Africa. One of the most popular dishes are the Prawn Curry and the Bunny Chow.
The Brasserie Restaurant is set in a sunny conservatory environment, overlooking the tranquil, manicured gardens and the outdoor swimming pool. When in Guernsey, you must try the local seafood, which is in abundance. The hotel also offers a charming afternoon tea, where you can enjoy it with a cup of tea or even a glass of champagne – the choice is yours!
As you would expect, the hotel has its own spa which includes a beautiful mosaic jacuzzi, sauna and relaxation room. You can opt from a range of different spa treatments, but the deep tissue massage is always a winner!
The town of St Peter Port is busy but doesn’t feel commercial or touristy at all, there are many lovely restaurants to visit. We recommend Le Nautique (for delicious seafood) La Fregate, China Red, Octopus and The Slaughterhouse (which sounds scary, but it is not!)
The history of the Island, with regards to the German occupation is both interesting and moving in equal measure. There are several museums that provide a fascinating insight into what life was like under occupation during World War 2.
Keeping in with the historical theme, Castle Cornet, Guernsey’s ancient fortress is certainly worth a visit, if you can visit close to midday, you can witness the firing of the castles’ cannon. We also took the opportunity to visit the house of author Victor Hugo which offered a truly remarkable insight into his exceptional imagination which is demonstrated in abundance in Hauteville House.
For some serious R and R time, head over to any of the Island’s stunning beaches such as Cobo Beach, Fermain, Pembroke, Petit and Vazon to take some time out to sit on the beach and relax.
Guernsey is an ideal place for a short break and we returned back to our busy lives feeling recharged and raring to go.
Additional Image Credits: Old Government House Hotel.
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