From simple B&Bs to stylishly converted farmhouses and chic boutique hotels, Guernsey offers accommodation to cater for most tastes.
Accommodation is plentiful but you won’t find many bargains, especially if you book your hotel independently of transport. The best deals are the packages which include air or sea transport. Many of the hotels offer this option on their websites; alternatively you can do it through specialist operators. For example, Island Getaways (tel: 01983 721111; www.islandgetaways.co.uk) offer spring deals whereby the total cost for a week’s holiday in a 3-star hotel, travel included (and car hire if you pay in advance) is less than the cost of accommodation alone booked through the hotel. Rates are amost invariably cheaper off-season and there are some great deals at the hotels that remain open in winter. For rooms in July and August book well ahead. Supplements are usually charged for seaview rooms; it’s often worth the extra per night for the fabulous view you wake up to.
The Braye Beach Hotel offers excellent views over the sands.
Visit Guernsey
The Guernsey Tourist Board brochure (available online at www.visitguernsey.com) has a comprehensive illustrated section on accommodation available on the islands of Guernsey, Herm, Sark and Alderney. The website will also give you the latest tour operator deals. Tour companies specialising in Guernsey include Premier Holidays (tel: 0844-493 7529; www.premierholidays.co.uk/guernsey), Channel Islands’ Direct (tel: 0844-470 4937510; www.channelislandsdirect.co.uk) and Discover Guernsey (tel: 0844-415 6653); www.guernseytravel.com)
St Peter Port offers the best sightseeing, shopping and choice of restaurants. Buses from here will take you all over the island; it is also convenient for hopping across to Herm or Sark. Alternatively there are attractive beach hotels, and converted farmhouses and manor houses inland.
Old-fashioned values are still often adhered to, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get WiFi or power showers in the upper bracket hotels. Guernsey now has its first 5-star hotel, the Old Government House Hotel & Spa, and many of the 4-stars have undergone stylish revamps in the last few years.
Most places will require credit card details before confirming a reservation, and for special deals you may need to pay in full prior to arrival. VAT is not chargeable in the Channel Islands.
Hotels, self catering and camping
The price bands below are a guideline for the cost of a standard double room and breakfast for two in high season.
£££ over £200
££ £110–200
£ under £110
GUERNSEY
The Bay Apartments
Vale, tel: 07781-145 129; www.thebayguernsey.co.uk. Spotless self-catering apartments with spectacular views of the sandy Pembroke Bay. All apartments have sea views apart from one. Facilities include tennis, indoor swimming pool and health and beauty salon. Convenient for golfers with L’Ancresse golf club nearby. £750–£1,400 per week depending on size.
Bella Luce Hotel
La Fosse, St Martin, GY4 6EB, tel: 01481-238 764; www.bellalucehotel.com. This ancient manor house has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel. Colonial-style decor, top-quality food, swimming pool and popular Bella Bar and Grill. ££
Best Western Hotel de Havelet
Havelet, St Peter Port, GY1 1BA; tel: 01481-722 199; www.dehaveletguernsey.com. Georgian house on a hill with fine views of the harbour and islands. It is a 15-minute walk uphill from the centre of St Peter Port – or you can take the courtesy minibus which links the hotel and town centre several times a day in summer. Indoor pool with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. ££
Bon Port Hotel
Rue des Clotures, St Martins, GY4 6EW, tel: 01481-239 249; www.bonport.com. The only hotel to overlook the beautiful Moulin Huet Bay and famous ‘Pea Stacks’, which were immortalised by Renoir. Tasteful en suite bedrooms, heated outdoor swimming pool, gym and sauna. ££
Cobo Bay Hotel
Cobo, Castel, GY5 7HB, tel: 01481-257 102; www.cobobayhotel.com. Ideal beach holiday hotel with excellent value rooms opposite sandy Cobo Bay. Award-winning restaurant. Small complimentary health suite. ££
Duke of Richmond Hotel
Cambridge Park, St Peter Port, GY1 1UY, tel: 01481-726 221; www.dukeofrichmond.com. This comfy 4-star hotel beside Candie Gardens has been extensively refurbished and taken on a contemporary look with a black and white lounge and a Leopard Bar/Restaurant with bold stripes and ‘leopardskin’ fabrics. Guest room prices vary substantially depending on the degree of luxury (there’s a Penthouse and three Junior suites) and the views – many overlook the sea. ££–£££
The Farmhouse
Route des Bas Courtils, St Saviour, GY7 9YF; tel: 01481-264 181; www.thefarmhouse.gg. Run by the Nussbaumer family for three generations this farmhouse, converted to a 4-star hotel, is among Guernsey’s favourite hotels. The 14 bedrooms are furnished in contemporary style, with large walk-in showers. Popular restaurant with meals available by the fire, poolside or in one of the gazebos. ££
La Frégate Hotel
La Fregate
Fauxquets Valley Campsite
Candie Road, Castel, GY5 7QAL, tel: 01481-255 460; www.fauxquets.co.uk. Wonderful campsite in a tranquil valley. All amenities including heated pool, licensed restaurant and bar, shop and children’s playground and games room. £
Fleur du Jardin
Kings Mills, Castel, GY5 7JT, tel: 01481-257 996; www.fleurdujardin.com. Named after a breed of Guernsey cow, this old farmhouse has been stylishly renovated and offers rooms with bleached timber walls and sandstone bathrooms. First-class gastro-pub food, solar-heated pool and new health suite. ££
Hotel La Michele
Les Hubits de Bas, St Martins, GY4 6NB, tel: 01481-238 065; www.lamichelehotel.com. This small family-run hotel is renowned for hospitality. Restaurant, bar and attractive heated outdoor swimming pool in secluded gardens. £
La Frégate Hotel
Les Cotils, St Peter Port, GY1 1UT, tel: 01481-724 624; www.lafregatehotel.com. Stylish, deluxe boutique hotel in its own grounds in St Peter Port. Fantastic views across the islands and one of the best restaurants in Guernsey. £££
Mille Fleurs Self Catering
Rue du Bordage, St Pierre du Bois, GY7 9DW, tel: 01481-263 911; www.millefleurs.co.uk. Comfortable self-catering cottages set in a peaceful rural location with internationally acclaimed gardens. Heated outdoor swimming pool. Open all year. £870–2,150 per week depending on size and season. £–££
When booking at the White House Hotel, ask for a room with a sea view.
Visit Guernsey
The Old Government House Hotel & Spa
St Ann’s Place, St Peter Port, GY1 2NU; tel: 01481-724 921, www.theoghhotel.com. The former official residence of Guernsey’s governor, the OGH (as it’s familiarly known) dates from 1858 and has recently been extensively refurbished and upgraded. This is the only five-star hotel on the island. Expect plush bedrooms, topnotch cuisine in the Brasserie or Curry Room, traditional afternoon teas and excellent service. Leisure facilities include a well-equipped spa, gym and outdoor heated pool. £££
HERM
White House Hotel, Herm, GY1 3HR, tel: 01481-750 075; www.herm.com. Ideal place to unwind away from the 21st century. Family run for over half a century with old-fashioned values, good service and excellent food and wine. Swimming pool, tennis court and croquet lawn. Holiday cottages, apartments, cabins and a campsite with sea-facing terraces are also available. ££–£££
SARK
Dixcart Bay Hotel
Sark, Channel Islands, GY10 1SD, tel: 01481-832 832; www.dixcartbay.sarkislandhotels.com. Sark’s oldest hotel has seen a major overhaul with a conservatory restaurant, cobbled courtyard and new apartments. A large garden merges with the wooded valley which winds down to Dixcart Bay. The hotel’s Hugo’s Bistro, open all day every day in season, is named after the French writer Victor Hugo who was an occasional resident here. Guests have use of facilities of the three other hotels in the Sark Island Hotels group (including the Petit Champ). £££
Hotel Petit Champ
Sark, Channel Islands, GY10 1SF, tel: 01481-832 832; www.hotelpetitchamp.sarkislandhotels.com. A small hotel with unrivalled sea views and spectacular sunsets. Balcony rooms are the most sought after, with views of neighbouring Herm, Jethou and Guernsey. The restaurant has a good local reputation, serving fresh Sark seafood and locally reared beef, lamb and port. Solar-heated swimming pool, croquet lawn and alfresco lunches. ££
La Sablonnerie
Sark, Channel Islands, GY10 1SD, tel: 01481-832 061; www.lasablonnerie.com. A total escape – located on Little Sark, this remote farmhouse hotel is reached by the owner’s horse-drawn carriages and offers rural tranquillity, plus excellent cuisine and comfortable rooms. One of the loveliest hotels on the Channel Islands. ££
ALDERNEY
Braye Beach Hotel, Braye Street, GY9 3XT; tel: 01481-824 300; www.brayebeach.com. Chic designer hotel with a perfect setting overlooking Braye Beach. All rooms have bathrobes, a complimentary decanter of sherry, fresh fruit on arrival and freeWiFi. Book ahead for sea view rooms. The company also owns Blue Islands airline; you can find some excellent package deals. ££–£££
La Sablonnerie hotel uses produce from its farm and gardens.
Visit Guernsey
Farm Court
Le Petit Val, Alderney, GY9 3UX, tel: 01481-822 075; www.farmcourt-alderney.co.uk. B&B in small converted barns, generous breakfasts, plus an owner who gives painting lessons. Self-catering also available. Good value for money. £
Fort Clonque
The Landmark Trust, Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3SW, tel: 01628-825 925; www.landmarktrust.org.uk. Built in the 1840s, Fort Clonque is cut off from Alderney at high tide. The fort has been converted to surprisingly comfortable self-catering accommodation, with sleeping quarters for up to 13 people (or 14 if you count the ghost), in four different buildings. Four nights from £655.