So, I'm hoping the headline grabbed your attention! And now that it has, I must apologise. 'Two Go Wild on the Channel Islands' isn't the name of a long-lost Enid Blyton book, and 'Jersey Girls' isn't a spin off of a hit theatre show.*
Instead, it's a short tale of when me and my dear old Ma packed our cases and enjoyed a not-so-wild, actually, (we were there for a spot of relaxation), but blimming enjoyable, weekend at Jersey's beautiful Club Hotel and Spa.
Above: A suite at The Club Hotel and Spa
Above: The view from outside
What's this got to do with my copywriting website, or the services I can offer?! Well, I'm letting you know that I'm available for hire for much more than penning copy for brochures and e-newsletters. In a past-life (okay, not all that long ago), I was a journalist, and I'm still very fortunate to be invited on the odd press trip these days. This one was the latest in a string of commissions for Simply Magazines - and by 'eck, it didn't feel at all like work.
Here's what happened:
Friday
12pm: After a leisurely breakfast, we headed to the airport for our flight from Liverpool. Jersey is a mere one-hour journey by plane, so it really is somewhere to consider if you're fancying a mini break. Not quite Britain, not quite France, it feels like 'you're on your holidays' without having to go too far. As the French do (probably), we stuffed our plump, festive faces on croque monsieurs and touched down before we'd even had chance to wipe the breadcrumbs from our tray table.
4pm: Later that day and we were well and truly getting stuck right into 'all things Jersey'. By bus, we'd found our way into Saint Helier (home to The Club Hotel and Spa) and been pointed in the direction of our home for the next few nights by a lovely lady behind the tourist information counter at the station (who needs Google Maps when you can have a conversation with a real, live person?!). A brisk walk up quaint shopping streets filled with festive fare and we were at our destination, ready to be greeted by the staff in the hotel foyer, which was already festively trimmed up with a huge tree.
8pm: Gladrags on (well, jeans and a top) and we were soon seated in the hotel's award-winning, one-Michelin-starred Bohemia restaurant. It's in the Top 100 restaurants, don'tchaknow? We got two canapes in (absolutely delicious, let me tell you) before having to cut the evening short and head back up to our room. My Mum, who'd started feeling groggy almost as soon as we got off the bus in Jersey, wasn't feeling too great at all. I can't tell you how gutted we were not to experience Bohemia's food and service, but the attentive staff couldn't do enough for us. We later got holed up in our room, robe and slippers on, and ordered room service, tucking in when my Mum felt up to it. It was just what the doctor ordered, as it were!
Above: Room service, madams!
Saturday
8am: After a top notch night's sleep in the hotel's beds (complete with extremely comfy Hypnos mattresses), we got ourselves ready and headed down for a continental breakfast. There's something about piling your plate with hams, cheeses and croissants to make you feel, well, a little bit la-de-dah.
9am: A morning's shopping ensured we could tick a few things off our Christmas to-do lists. If you've yet to visit Jersey, make sure you head straight to their department stores. You'll enjoy tax-free shopping on all manner of goodies. Plus, there's just something about checking out a shop or two which you can't find at home. A few shopping bags filled later and we were back in the hotel, robes and slippers on again, and ready for a treatment or two in The Club Hotel's spa.
12.15pm: What's that you say?! Ooops, sorry; I nodded off for a second there. Such was the relaxation level of my gorgeous Carita facial that I was in a deep sleep before the friendly therapist could say: '...and relax'. My Mum opted for a similar luxurious facial and came out looking like she'd woken from a Sleeping Beauty-style slumber. Hello, fresher, plumper skin!
Above: The hotel's tranquil pool
2pm: A swim in the hotel's pool was followed by a quick shower and a mascara and lippy re-touch, before we headed down to the bar for an afternoon tea like no other. Seriously, would you just look at some of these delights (below)! One of them - a chocolate bauble - contained a miniature truffle inside. We were reliably informed by the bar staff, though, that some contain £25 gift vouchers! Do afternoon teas get any more special?! I think not.
Above: Get in my mouth!
4.30pm: I'd love to tell you we hit up Jersey's most popular tourist attractions while we were there. Instead, we spent much of the weekend ticking even more things off our Christmas shopping list - so back to the streets of St Helier it was, for a look around some of its lovely, independent boutiques.
Above: The quaint, 'French' streets of St Helier
6.30pm - A few hours later and we were back in the comfort of our gorgeous suite, room service ordered again and Strictly Come Dancing on the telly. All that relaxation and shopping had clearly worn us out.
Sunday
8am: It was now nearly time to say goodbye to the Jersey and The Club Hotel and Spa and its staff. We made sure to make the most of the continental breakfast buffet again, stocking ourselves up for the day on buttery croissants and creamy yoghurts. We then bundled up in our coats and gloves and headed for a brisk walk along the prom. It may have been windy (and a little wet), but we still enjoyed taking in the sights and meandering around, before later heading for a huge coffee and cake at a nearby café. Picking up some last-minute gifts to take home, we packed the last of our bags and made our way to the airport. An hour later and we'd touched down. Sob.
What a weekend, though! If you're thinking of jetting off somewhere as the New Year rolls around, why not consider Jersey?
Until next time...
* You can scratch me off your Christmas card list for the false advertising.