A renowned spa, four Michelin-starred restaurants, miles of sandy beach and an international hotel of the year: Why Jersey is fast becoming a holiday hotspot for foodies and families alike

• With frequent flights and a travel time of less than one hour, Jersey is back on the map as a top holiday destination
• Four-star Atlantic Hotel, with views overlooking the coast and championship golf course, is one of the best on island
• Island boasts Michelin-starred and award-winning restaurants including The Ocean and Mark Jordan at the Beach
• Families can enjoy sweeping, sandy beaches or wildlife park while adults can indulge in one of Europe's top spas  

By Emma Glanfield for MailOnline

Published: 02:15 EST, 1 August 2015 | Updated: 19:46 EST, 2 August 2015

Considering it is less than an hour away from Britain, Jersey is often overlooked as a holiday destination.

But nestled between the UK and France, and with large, sweeping golden sand beaches and rugged cliff tops, there's something about the Channel Island which makes you stand up and take notice.

Measuring just eight miles by five miles, the island may not be the biggest holiday spot - but it sure packs a punch.

Jersey is just a 45-minute flight away from southern parts of the UK and boasts sweeping, sandy beaches, stunning coastline views, four michelin-starred restaurants, a top European star and the sumptuous award-winning four-star Atlantic Hotel in St Brelade (pictured above)

The Atlantic Hotel's plush, modern interior is complemented with nods to its tranquil, upmarket nautical theme and with indoor water features in the lobby and a solid wooden staircase up to the bedrooms, you feel as though you're stepping into a luxurious super yacht

Perks of the spacious bedrooms at The Atlantic include Sky TV, remote-controlled blinds, Molton Brown toiletries and coastal views

The Atlantic overlooks the adjoining La Moye championship golf course and also boasts views stretching for miles over St Ouen's Bay

From beautiful coastline views and lengthy countryside walks to foodie hotspots and wildlife parks - the small Channel Island has something for everyone, young and old.

Not only that, but it is one of the easiest places to get to with flights regularly departing from the UK, meaning you can jet from home to idyllic relaxation in less time than a trip to the cinema.

It's also accessible by ferry, with daily departures from Portsmouth, Poole and Weymouth, which - although is slightly longer in terms of travel time - may appeal to those wanting to load up the car with bicycles, surfboards and other holiday paraphernalia.

Those wishing to fly may wish to organise a hire car for their time on the island - perfect for exploring all that Jersey really has to offer.

We arranged a long weekend break to the island – arriving on a Friday evening after a speedy 40 minute flight from Southampton - and stayed at the rather sumptuous Atlantic Hotel in St Brelade.

From the moment you arrive at the four-star haven - which is family-run and boasts an International Hotel of the Year award - you instantly feel at ease.

Overlooking the adjoining La Moye championship golf course and with views stretching for miles over St Ouen's Bay, it's fair to say it is one of the best-situated hotels I have ever stayed at.

Its modern interior is complemented with nods to its tranquil, upmarket nautical theme and with indoor water features in the lobby and a solid wooden staircase up to the bedrooms, you feel as though you're stepping off a jetty into a super yacht.

Nothing is too much trouble at The Atlantic either. From the extremely warm welcome upon arrival to the towelled robes and Molton Brown goodies in the room, the hotel oozes luxury.

The Atlantic houses its very own Michelin-starred restaurant, called The Ocean, which boasts celebrated chef Mark Jordan as its main man

The menu at The Ocean restaurant changes daily thanks to the fresh produce used and staff could not be more attentive if they tried

Desserts at the AA Rosette-awarded Ocean restaurant were particularly impressive, with the rich chocolate pavé with ice cream a highlight

I was also a big fan of the remote-controlled black-out blinds, operated at the flick of a bedside switch, while my partner loved the in-room flat-screen TV, complete with a full Sky package and his beloved Sky Sports.

The seaside-inspired hotel also boasts its own Michelin-starred restaurant - The Ocean - as well as a decent-sized swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, tennis courts and a host of meeting rooms.

After settling into our room, we headed down to the bar area for a drink before enjoying a delicious three-course dinner in The Ocean.

Staff at the award-winning restaurant, which boasts Mark Jordan as its head chef, could not be friendlier or more accommodating if they tried - which was remarkably refreshing compared to the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As our cocktails were shaken and stirred in the bar area, the bartender was more than happy to chat to us about the island and where we might like to explore.

And after being shown to our table in the restaurant - which was simply decorated in creams and blues but overlooked the beautiful grounds of the hotel - the waiting staff fussed over us like we were royalty.

After pouring over the menu (which changes daily thanks to the fresh ingredients used), I opted for a starter of crispy potato and herb gnocchi with wilted spinach and parmesan foam and a delicious vegetable and goats cheese pastry tart for main, while my partner enjoyed the Jersey beef tartare, foie gras mousse, oyster ceviche and watercress mayonnaise to start and roasted spring lamb, honey roasted sweetbread and garden peas for main.

I finished my meal off with a raspberry hazelnut panna cotta while my partner enjoyed a rich chocolate pavé with praline ice cream and a chocolate struzel.

A glass of wine specifically chosen by waiting staff to complement each dish was brought to our table with each course. We even got to enjoy a lobster cappuccino between our starter and main and a refreshing passion fruit sorbet to cleanse our palette before dessert.

It was the small touches such as these which really made The Ocean Restaurant stand out - and made it easy to see why it's won a host of awards including a Michelin star and four AA Rosettes.

The Ocean isn't the only award-winning restaurant on the island though. The following day, we discovered Mark Jordan on the Beach - the sister hotel to The Ocean - which boasts two AA Rosettes and a Bib Gourmand.

Overlooking a large sweeping beach, just a stone's throw from the picturesque harbour of St Aubin, the small but modern restaurant is more relaxed than its counterpart but serves up the perfect offering for a sophisticated late lunch by the seaside.

The menu is also extensive, offering everything from a selection of fishy nibbles such as crab toast and anchovies to hearty mains like a burger and chips or pot-roasted chicken.

Those heading to the island will also want to take a visit to The Atlantic's sister restaurant, Mark Jordan at the Beach (above) for lunch

Mark Jordan on the Beach is just a stone's throw from the picturesque harbour of St Aubin and boasts two AA Rosettes and Bib Gourmand

The MJ Signature Manor Farm burger, which uses meat sourced locally and is served with chunky chips, at Mark Jordan at the Beach

Mark Jordan at the Beach is perfect for an upmarket lunch by the seaside (left) while The Ocean offers a Michelin-starred dining experience

I opted for the MJ Signature Manor Farm burger which uses meat sourced locally and which was served up with big, fat chunky chips. My partner had the honey roast duck breast which was served with griottines cherries, caramelised red cabbage and a fondant potato.

Perched in a window table, we had uncompromised views of the beautiful bay, which was the perfect place to walk off our meal.

There is the option to walk all the way from St Aubin to St Helier, but we chose to take the car a short drive to the north of the island to explore Durrell Wildlife Park.

Those with young families will discover this is the perfect place to take young children, with more animals and wildlife to take in than I ever could've imagined for a small isle like Jersey. From bears and lions to penguins and a flamenco bay, the park offered hours of fun.

While Durrell (where prices start from £10 for children aged four and above and £14.50 for adults) might be more of a stop off for families, there is one corner of the island where adults can indulge in pure relaxation.

The Ayush Wellness Spa at Hotel de France is quite frankly the biggest and best spa I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Occupying a whopping 17,000 square feet, and boasting four pools, the spa is heaven for those who like nothing more than to be pampered, preened and ultimately relaxed.

We spent a good afternoon in the spa, kicking back on the loungers, making the most of the beautiful sunshine on the terrace and dipping from one pool to the next. 

Flights to Jersey, the largest Channel Island, regularly depart from the UK with the average journey time taking less than just 45 minutes 

From beautiful coastline views and sandy beaches to lengthy countryside walks - the island has something for everyone, young and old

Jersey boasts miles of sandy beaches which are perfect for families wanting to entertain the children or those who love lengthy walks

From the 50ft main infinity pool and the large massage pool complete with Jacuzzi jets, to a cold dip plunge pool and a shallow bathing area, there are plenty of options for cooling off after a sweat-out in the sauna or steam room. 

What's more, fresh juices can be ordered at the spa reception and brought over to your lounger, meaning you don't even have to leave the vicinity to get a nutrients fix.

A visit to the spa also isn't complete without a treatment to one of their six beauty rooms.

I enjoyed a 55-minute Ayurvedic massage (£85), which, quite frankly, was the ultimate way to relax. As my head, feet and back were massaged I couldn't help but think that I never wanted to leave.

After the treatment, instead of being turfed out, the therapists led me into a dimly-lit room which had a plethora of reclining loungers where I was able to sip a refreshing but detoxing ginger-infused brew and some lemon water before heading back down to the pool area. It was the icing on the cake to what had been an extremely relaxing hour of pure heaven.

To be honest, I didn't ever want to leave the spa, but evening activities beckoned and - wanting to make the most of our trip - we headed down to St Helier, the island's capital.

The Ayush Wellness Spa at Hotel de France boasts a 50ft infinity pool, massage pool with Jacuzzi, a cold dip pool and a shallow bath

Ayush Wellness Spa has been voted one of the seven best hotel spas in Europe and overnight stay prices start from £143 per person

The 55-minute Ayurvedic massage (£85) is fantastic and focuses on massaging your head, back and feet to offer the ultimate relaxation

We happened to visit during Jersey's Liberation Day Celebrations – which mark the anniversary of when the island was freed from German control after they surrendered to the Allies on May 9, 1945.

It meant there were a host of activities taking place throughout the weekend, culminating with a magnificent firework display over Elizabeth Castle – which defended Jersey for more than 400 years.

Sadly, it meant we couldn't visit Jersey's famous War Tunnels, as they were closed over the Liberation anniversary weekend, but they came highly recommended for those visiting later in the year.

Despite this, as we watched the bay lit up by fireworks - surrounded by hundreds of local residents who had turned out to support the liberation celebrations in their droves - I couldn't help but think about when my next trip to Jersey might be.

It might be small, but it sure is mighty, and I for one will be returning in years to come.

Families can enjoy a day out at Durrell Wildlife Park, situated on the north of the island, where there are dozens of animals (pictured)

Elizabeth Castle, which defended Jersey for more than 400 years, overlooks the bay at St Helier and is a wonderful bit of history to explore

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