Take a more unusual backpacking trip to the fantastic Channel Islands, you don’t get as many backpackers and global travellers here and the region is a complete breath of fresh air. This magical set of islands are off the coast of France, yet remain under the rule of the U.K. A fascinating history exists here and you might have previously read my adventures from this region, having worked and toured these islands back in 2009 while working on Condor Ferries. I made a welcome return to Jersey recently and it will be my first time to write about Jersey, having concentrated on Sark, Herm and Guernsey in the past.
Staying at the Ommaroo Hotel in St. Helier Jersey
I based myself by the sea front in St. Helier in Jersey and I chose the wonderful Ommaroo Hotel in St. Helier to stay in. It is a family run hotel facing the sea and ticks all the boxes, here are some of the reasons I liked it and recommend it.
Ommaroo Hotel, St. Helier, Jersey
1.Sea View
I grew up in the seaside town of Bangor in Northern Ireland which has its fair share of decent sea views and guesthouses by Belfast Lough. What this means is I appreciate and love the fresh sea air. While this may seem strange for a geezer that raves about backpacking in smoggy China, I see it as literally, a breath of fresh air. From one extreme to the other.
The view from my window over the beach and sea
For this reason I bagged a room with a sea view and also enjoyed a walk along the seafront.
The seafront near Ommaroo Hotel
2.Full Jersey Breakfast
Well, realistically speaking this is a full English in disguise. It’s the Jersey butter and cream that does it for me though. While touring new countries and regions, it’s always essential for me to try something a bit different. So here you will get a full English breakfast served to perfection.
The full “Jersey” breakfast
In terms of Jersey local foods, I recommend trying the fudge, cheese and milk. Jersey cows are famous and they export their dairy products. The beers are also worth a taste – they have Channel Islands breweries and the ales are good.
Jersey cheese and butter
Jersey jams and fudge
Channel Islands beer
3.Family Run Hotel
Sometimes staying in chain hotels is good as you know what to expect. They are clones of each other. A room in Hong Kong might be exactly the same as a room in London, in the same hotel chain. However, on the flipside I also love an unpredictable hotel that stands alone. The Ommaroo is officially one of a kind. It is a family run hotel and this somehow enhances its appeal to me. You know they are in it for the family business and not a multi million pound global company. As a result, the staff are more chatty and the family look after their guests.
The Ommaroo is a family run hotel
4.Comfort and Cleanliness
As expected, my room with in pristine condition. Tea, coffee and biscuits were provided. The bathroom was spacious and even had a bath rather than a shower. There was also a TV and WiFi, plus a desk. I was in room 73.
Tea and coffee in the Ommaroo
The bathroom
My room
5.Bars,Cafes and Pools
There are a few extras here at the Ommaroo – a full outdoor swimming pool (summer only of course!), a downstairs bar and a nice relaxing lounge which overlooks the seafront and is perfect for a morning coffee.
The outdoor pool at the Ommaroo
The downstairs bar at the Ommaroo
Relaxing lounges
I enjoyed my time in Jersey and will write more about it soon.
Outside the wonderful Ommaroo Hotel in St. Helier, Jersey
Here are the details for booking the Ommaroo Hotel in St. Helier in Jersey.
Ommaroo Hotel,
Havre Des Pas, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK, JE2 4UL
Tel: +44 (0) 1534 723493
Fax: +44 (0) 1534 759912
Email: [email protected]
Here is a video from my time staying at the lovely Ommaroo Hotel in St. Helier, Jersey: