Anyone know Jersey well?

[Crookairroad]

We are considering booking for October. Flights inexpensive. Hotel can be cancelled if any COVID restrictions.

Last time I went we stayed in Gorey. Family had a hotel there but that’s a house now. DH can’t remember where he stayed. We will be with DS who is 14.

I am assuming St Helier would the best place to base ourselves for shopping, restaurants etc and then hire a car to get round the island?

There seems to be plenty of hotels from Premier Inn to what looks like family run bed and breakfasts/hotels in St Helier. Is there anything I should be aware of? I think I was in my teens when I last went. I’m in my 50s now so a long time ago but some fond memories.

[Ormally]

Another Merton recommendation. We stayed in the self catering apartment part - fantastic. Also made use of the hotel eating options and pizzeria.

[ememem84]

@bubblebubblebubbletrouble

We were at the Merton the last 2 summers and would highly recommend it.
We like the beach at St Brelade & ordering pizza express to collect at lunchtime. I think we would stay there if we weren't in St Helier.

St Brelades bay is beautiful.

Although to be fair nowhere is lacking in picturesqueness.

Friends have stayed at the Prince of wales pub in greve de lecq. It’s meant to be nice but it’s not one I’ve been in for a long time.

Les ormes do self catering and are near the airport. They also have golf swimming trampoline park etc.

We have e bikes for hire around the island and busses are ok. Not brilliant. But ok.

Loads of cliff walks and things to see and do. Someone above mentioned the war tunnels. They’re excellent. As are both castles.

[bubblebubblebubbletrouble]

We were at the Merton the last 2 summers and would highly recommend it.
We like the beach at St Brelade & ordering pizza express to collect at lunchtime. I think we would stay there if we weren't in St Helier.

[ememem84]

I live here. Feel free to pm me!

Agree the Merton is great. We did a staycation with the kids back in October. So much fun. It’s not high classy hotel. But it’s family oriented. And was fab.

If ds is 14 they have a surf thing in the pool. Not sure about opening hours although we were there around 17/18 October last year and it was open. Outdoor pool closes in November.

[BG2015]

The Merton is a great hotel in St Helier

[garlictwist]

We didn't bother hiring a car when we went - it's a pretty small place and you can get the bus most places. We also hired bikes - there's lots of cycle trails all over the island and it's not hilly at all so you can get around pretty easily.

[LifeOfBriony]

St Helier is good for shopping and restaurants. If you intend to hire a car, choose a hotel that has car parking on site as parking can be an issue in the town. In the summer, buses are frequent (from the bus station on the edge of the town), but less so in October. You may be able to get away without hiring a car for the whole holiday.

We've been to Jersey several times - when our DCs were teens they enjoyed Elizabeth Castle (which is accessed via a causeway at low tide) and Gorey Castle. Also worth a visit for the history is the Jersey War Tunnels which tell the story of the Occupation (but some of it is harrowing - be prepared). Beautiful scenery and beaches, lots of walking if you enjoy that, or you could hire bikes. When we went without DCs we took a bus to the vineyard so we could sample the wine without worrying about driving.

I love Jersey - the French influence is enough to make it feel that you are somewhere different, but the driving on the left, same currency and English language make your day to day holiday life easier, if you see what I mean.

I hope you are able to go and have a lovely time!

[Crookairroad]

Thanks. Will do. DH has said tonight that he would rather I wait. So going to do that.

[Georgyporky]

We were planning Xmas in Jersey, but it was cancelled by BA.
We thought it was part of GB, but it's not & has very different CV regs - so do check carefully.