A short flight from the UK, the Channel Islands offer wild coastal walks, peaceful beaches and a new style of upscale autumn stays
Long beach walks, windswept skies and cosy pub fires – autumn doesn’t get much more magical (Image: Getty Images)
If you’re craving an autumn escape but don’t fancy spending hours travelling, the Channel Islands could offer the perfect change of scenery. Just a short flight from the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney can feel a world away from everyday life, particularly once summer crowds have disappeared and autumn arrives.
There’s something particularly appealing about spending the day outdoors with the autumn air on your face before retreating somewhere warm and cosy as the sun begins to set. The islands offer plenty of reasons to embrace the season, from dramatic coastal walks and windswept beaches to cold-water swims and changing woodland.
That’s the idea behind Hand Picked Hotels’ new Amber Hours – Autumn by Hand Picked campaign. Designed to celebrate the Channel Islands, the short breaks are a perfect way to breathe in the landscapes as they take on a wilder, more atmospheric character.
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Think bracing walks along the coast followed by Champagne Afternoon Tea, a dip in the sea before warming up in a sauna, or settling beside a window with a glass of wine one of the five Hand Picked Hotels in the Channel Islands that are offering their own take on an autumn break.
Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, is a brilliant island escape, with golden beaches, rugged coastal paths and pretty villages offering plenty to discover beyond its sunny summer months. From windswept seaside walks to cosy cafés and historic spots, it’s an easy place to embrace the changing seasons and enjoy a relaxing autumn break.
Book a Channel Islands getaway
There are a selection of hotels across Jersey and Guernsey offering autumn breaks with room and food upgrades.
If you fancy a little island adventure of your own, L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa makes a rather lovely base for an Amber Hours escape in Jersey. Sitting right beside the golden sands of St Brelade’s Bay, it’s just a 10-minute drive or around 20 minutes by bus from Jersey Airport – so you can be on the beach before you’ve had time to properly switch off your out-of-office.
Dating back to 1850, the hotel has plenty of character, while its terrace comes with uninterrupted views across the bay. After a bracing coastal walk or perhaps a chilly dip in the sea, you can retreat to the spa for some well-earned relaxation and a choice of treatments.
Enjoy golden days on windswept shores
This five-star hotel puts you within easy reach of Jersey’s attractions, while its rooms make the most of the seaside setting, with some offering ocean views. There’s also an indoor heated pool, sauna and steam room – ideal for warming up after a day spent exploring the island.
Guernsey is the kind of island escape where dramatic cliff paths, hidden coves and sandy beaches make it easy to forget you’re only a short flight from the UK. With wild coastal walks, pretty scenery and plenty of cosy spots to retreat to afterwards, it’s a particularly tempting choice for an autumn getaway.
An Amber Hours autumn break with Hand Picked Hotels is available at the Fermain Valley Hotel. Located a 15-minute drive or 20-minute bus away from Guernsey Airport, this hotel is perched on a clifftop above Guernsey’s southeast coast for spectacular views and offers a variety of dining options between its steakhouse, Mexican restaurant and tea rooms.
Also in Guernsey is St Pierre Park Hotel, which is 10 minutes by car or 50 minutes by public transport from Guernsey Airport. Home to an award-winning spa and nine-hole golf course, the grounds of this hotel are home to a picturesque lake and gardens, with master suites offering guests their own private garden and hot tub.
Another accommodation option in Guernsey is Hotel Jerbourg, which is the number one choice on Booking.com based on guest reviews. Set on the clifftop at Jerbourg Point with views stretching as far as France on a clear day, this hotel is home to two restaurants as well as a coffee shop with a sun terrace and an outdoor swimming pool open from May to September.
Over on the island of Alderney, Braye Beach Hotel sits right beside a stretch of pristine white sand, with turquoise waters just steps from the door. It’s the sort of place where you can slow right down, taking in beautiful bay views from the sun terrace, spotting local wildlife or simply settling into a peaceful island escape.
Renowned for offering one of the most luxurious stays on the Alderney island thanks to its 4-star status, the hotel boasts beautiful sea views, while the Terrace and Beach Bar is a relaxed space to unwind. For something a little different, The Vaults is a popular spot for sampling some of the finest wines and steaks, or mingle with the locals in our popular Divers Inn pub.
“An absolute Gem”
Meanwhile, the selection of Hand Picked Hotels across Jersey and Guernsey have all earned a rating of 4.3 out of five stars or higher on Tripadvisor, having earned thousands of reviews from visitors. The top favourite is L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa, with one guest writing of a recent stay: “The location is fantastic. A sea view room gives a panoramic view of the wonderful St Brelade’s Bay. Direct access to the beach from the hotel.”
They added: “Comfortable accommodation. Well equipped room. Food excellent. Breakfast selection very good and quality high. Dinner in the terrace restaurant was very enjoyable, again with a matchless view.”
Another visitor fed back: “Stunning location, excellent service and customer care. Lovely open air terrace, wonderful glass-fronted dining terrace, good menu choices with different options for dining, outstanding selection of breakfast choices. Nice pool and spa with good treatment options. Good parking. Convenient for airport and access to all other parts of the island. All in all a wonderful experience and will definitely return.”
Although, they went on to note: “The music on the terrace only happened a couple of times but is it really necessary to bring in loud music to ‘entertain’ people in such a stunning location in a place that oozes tranquillity?”
Another delighted guest added: “An absolute Gem found right beside a lovely wide beach which will give you great childhood Vibes and an enchanting memory. Honestly we can’t wait to go back -to walk on the perfect soft white sand , enjoy the beautiful sea view & savour the calm & peaceful oasis that this wonderful hotel serves up. An absolutely fantastic find.”
Meanwhile, someone else wrote of their stay: “Rooms were of a high quality and always attended to by housekeeping every day and night to turn down your bed. Food in hotel was fantastic. From breakfast to evening meals. Can say it is some of the best food we have had on holiday. Location and staff really made this an unforgettable holiday for us.”