Longueville Manor Is A Gem Of A Staycation In The English Channel

Award-winning gastronomy, a world-famous cheese cart, the UK’s cleanest beaches within easy reach, and unparalleled service are what you’ll find at Jersey’s Longueville Manor. The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, shares why this understated Channel Island hotel deserves a prime spot on your staycation wish list.

What sets it apart

For an island known for having so much wealth, Jersey keeps its most glittering gems discreetly tucked away. While a portfolio of stellar five-star hotels may be scarce, one shines brighter than all: Longueville Manor. More than just a hotel, it’s a legacy – a Grande Dame steeped in history, with roots tracing back to the 13th century; tales of German occupancy in WWII; and now where anyone of note stays when they visit the island. 

Inside the wisteria-draped granite facade, a magic formula lies from candlelit Gastronomy, where a legendary cheese cart awaits (more on that later), to a wine cellar guarding treasures worth £4 million. Add to that acres of breathtaking grounds, and, of course, the picturesque island of Jersey to call home. But above all, it is the service at Longueville Manor that makes this high-end hotel truly unparalleled. 

This is no doubt attributed to 75 years plus operating as a hotel; in fact, Longueville is now in its third generation of ownership by the Lewis family, who have clearly dedicated decades to perfecting and finding the very best in hospitality. It was no surprise to find out many of their staff had worked at the hotel for over 20, 30 and even 40 years. There’s even a resident pet, Indie, the ginger tomcat, who chose to nap at our check-in desk, who was totally nonplussed that we were there.

The location

Despite Longueville Manor being positioned on a main road, it’s surprisingly secluded, as it sits pretty through a petite stone archway surrounded by verdent gardens, a bountiful walled kitchen garden, a lake and woodland – all of which you’re encouraged to enjoy by the inviting array of Wellington boots lined up at the garden door. 

Locaiton-wise, It’s perfectly positioned just a 20-minute walk from the island’s capital, St. Helier, to dip your toe into Jersey’s thriving food and drink scene, as well as just 10-minutes from the beach if you get your kicks cold swimming rather than in the hotel’s heated outoor pool (sadly I missed pool season by a few weeks as it’s open from April to October). 

While all of that may be on your doorstep, Jersey, though it is the biggest of all the Channel Islands, is tiny, a mere nine miles long and five miles wide, making it easy to get around. We rented an EVie electric car straight from the airport, a seriously affordable and eco-friendly option from as little as £30 per day, with free charging at many spots around the island.

And exploring the island is a must. The most southernly island in the Channel is a hidden gem of staycations (even if you do need to take a 45-minute flight to get there). From golden sandy beaches to hidden coves with turquoise waters, palm tree-lined waterfronts to ruggedy cliff walks, get Jersey on a good weather day and it feels verging on tropical. Add to that a rich and often tumultuous history, historical landmarks, excellent (and pretty affordable by London standards) seafood and endless places to explore with little ones, you can easily fill a plump week-long itinerary on this little island. 

The rooms  

All of Longeuville’s 30 rooms and suites are individually decorated, and whilst they have been renovated in recent years, they feel a little outdated. That’s not to say they are not lovely. We stayed in one of the hotel’s most premium suites, the Tower Suites, named for its view of the property’s ivy-clad tower, one of the oldest parts of the hotel. It was also super spacious with a vast bedroom and equally sized living room, plentiful wardrobe space and a bathroom complete with rainfall shower and enticing freestanding bath. 

And whilst the interiors at Longeuvlle don’t pretend to be ticking off decor magazine-worthy trends, they feel homely and luxurious, from plump cream carpets underfoot to sumptuous bed linens you won’t want to get out of. 

A highlight for me was the sweeping French doors from the living room that led out to our own private patio, overlooking the sprawling gardens of Longeuville. A quiet and mindful spot to sip your morning coffee. 

Around the rest of the hotel, you’ll find multiple lounges and firelit nooks, with squishy sofas, decadent wood panelled walls and refined, calming colour palettes. Unlike many hotel common areas that often feel impersonal, these lounge rooms of Longeuville’s are remarkably welcoming and unpretentious – a true testament to the team’s talent for ensuring every guest feels completely at ease.

Food and drink 

Gaetronomy is where Longeuville comes into its own. As well as a hotel that’s part of the Relais & Chateaux group, its restaurant is listed in the MICHELIN 2025 Guide and has earned itself a MICHELIN Key, recognising it as one of the top-ranked UK hotels. It’s no surprise that, as well as guests staying in its rooms, Longueville has very much become a special occasion place for the island’s locals. 

We went for the tasting menu, a celebration of stunning local produce, from Jersey’s famous agriculture and fisheries to a daily harvest from the Manor’s Victorian kitchen garden – well worth a stroll around for any budding horticulturalist or keen foodie. 

Five courses took us on a voyage through Jersey’s bountiful food landacape:  a meticulously layered garden salad to start; an Asian-inspired scallop dish paired with perhaps the most upmarket chicken wing in history; plump haibut bathed in an uncuous lobster sauce; perfectly pink duck with pickled veg, orange and pomegranate – a modern riff on teh ‘80s classic; before a finish of mousse made from Jersey’s famous dairy cows, almond crumbly strussel and milk meringue so light it melted on the tongue. 

This masterful menu is the work of Executive Head Chef Andrew Baird, a cornerstone of Longueville for an impressive 36 years, and for the past two, the visionary at the helm of its gastronomic offering.

And then, the legendary cheese board. Rarely have I encountered a cheese course so lauded as the one at Longueville, drawing guests back time and again for it. Presented on a hand-carved oak cart – unchanged for over 30 years – it’s covered in over 30 cheeses, from moreish nutty Manchego’s to a cheek-pinching, French camembert, partnered with garden quince, prune compote, grapes and biscuits. To pass on the cheese cart to end all cheese carts would be criminal. 

To pass on the cheese cart to end all cheese carts would be criminal. 

We paired the tasting menu with the Sommelier’s Choice wine flight, an additional £70, and it was well worth it to sample some truly brilliant wines from around the globe, from a crisp and refreshing English sparkling to a punchy Greek red. The sommelier was beyond knowledgeable but unpretentious, graciously answering rookie and probably quite annoying questions like, “What’s the most expensive wine you have on the menu?” `Spoiler alert: it’s in the tens of thousands. Before taking us on a tour of the hotel’s impressive wine cellar, holding 5,000 bottles valued in the millions. 

Things to do 

Delve into history at Elizabeth Castle, where you can walk the one-mile causeway out to see at low tide, or glide across the water on the amphibious Castle Ferry when the tide is up. A short, scenic 15-minute drive from Longueville lies the imposing Mont Orgueil Castle, offering breathtaking views of France on a clear day. For a journey further back in time, discover La Hougue Bie, one of the world’s most ancient sites, its origins stretching back to Neolithic times.

Then of course there are the beaches and, honestly, these are some of the most pristine and picturesque in the British Isles, from the hidden waterfalls of Plémont Bay to the suntrapped, picture-postcard view of Portlet that sits a 220-step walk down (and a worthy climb back up, we assure you) for crystal clear waters and its own milder microclimate. And for those who enjoy the thrill of the surf, head to the west of the island and a five-mile stretch of gnarly waves, ideal for watersports and barefoot BBQs set against a pretty epic sunset. 

For those travelling with children, when the weather is warm, the simplest of activities reign supreme in a place like Jersey. You won’t need much more than a bucket and spade, factor 50 and a choice of 24 bays and beaches. The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell, is highly recommended too. The charity project works to save species from extinction around the globe. 

Getting there & booking 

Flights operate daily from London airports with EasyJet and British Airways and take roughly one hour. Flights from other UK airports also operate regularly. 

Longueville is approximately a 25-minute drive from Jersey airport, either a £30 taxi ride or download the EVie electric car app and make your way around the island for £29 per day. Information can be found at evieondemand.com

Room rates at Longueville Manor start at £250 B&B for a standard double and go up to £1,600 for a four-person cottage, B&B.

Book online at www.longuevillemanor.com