Jersey - Hotels ?

[BeaLola]

Any recommendations please - going to join family members there in May for their special birthday weekend. They are staying at Longueville Manor (! slightly out of our price range)! plus we have an 11 year old DS.

Ideally Im looking for a 4 star'ish - seems to be oodles of choice but maybe too much choice (!) with a good pool so son can use it. I guess I was hoping to pay

Hi - if you're joining family at the Longueville, you'll probably find it easier to be at a hotel in St Helier or the east of the island. Have you looked at the Merton Hotel in St Saviour? It's really family-friendly, has a great aquadome, and isn't break-the-bank expensive. When I lived in Jersey, it was great to take the children to when the weather wasn't good enough to go to the beach - I think it might be worth a look.

Anyway, good luck - you'll have a lovely time, I'm sure

Thank you abbey44

Can I ask are taxis pretty reasonable or am I much better off hiring a car and getting used to the narrow roads ?

Can second the Merton. It's lovely and the staff are fabulous too. There is loads to do for all ages really and pools, waterslides, games rooms etc for the children.

We have found the bus system in Jersey to be very very good compared to the UK.

We used a taxi once and I don't remember it being expensive but we used buses a lot.

The roads aren't really that narrow some are, but you can mostly avoid them.

We stay at either Hotel de France or L'Horizon. Both super lovely, but L'Horizon wins for it being on the beach (St. Brelade's). Both are more spa type hotels though, so might not be what you're looking for. Always children at both hotels though, and the staff are great with them.

Thank you ALL

ANY great restaurant tips ? indian, celebratory places etc

sooo looking forward to coming now

If you're only there for a weekend, I wouldn't bother hiring a car and trying to find your way round - the roads aren't too bad (once you get used to the low speed limits!) but some of the minor ones can be a bit confusing. There are buses from the main places, and taxis are quite reasonable.

I'm more familiar with the west of the island, as that's where we used to live, but in the east, there are a few restaurants round Gorey harbour which are worth trying. My favourite is Sumas, but it's probably more an adult place, not so family-friendly if your children are small. Anywhere that is part of the Jersey Pottery empire will be excellent and most are child-friendly. Crab Shack in St Brelade's is one of my favourites, and there are several places along the Five Mile Road in St Ouen's Bay if you want a beach day. Do try and get to The Hungry Man in Rozel Harbour - it's a small hut on the jetty, but man, the bacon rolls are the best in the world

There are loads of places in St Helier itself, which will be easy to get to from The Merton, if that's where you decide to stay. You'll have such a great time - I'm only the tiniest bit envious