There are some hotels that feel like hotels, and then there are those that feel like you’ve somehow been invited to stay at a rather grand friend’s country house.
Longueville Manor in Jersey definitely falls into the latter category.
Tucked away just outside St Helier, Longueville Manor is a beautiful historic property and a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection of hotels. Surrounded by gardens and mature trees, it has all the ingredients you’d expect from a luxury manor house hotel – elegant rooms, beautiful grounds, a swimming pool, excellent food and impeccable service – but what really makes it stand out is the feeling that you are being looked after rather than simply being checked in.
Before I go into all the details, you can also watch our video review:
My friend Lara and I were here to sample their afternoon tea and spa offering.
We arrived a little early for our booking so had time to have a wander around their beautiful scented gardens.
There are lots of comfortable places to sit, ideal spots to take a book and have a little time to yourself. It would be a wonderful place to stay for a few days.
The star of the show of course is the Longueville Manor swimming pool which is surrounded by some very comfortable sun loungers.
We ordered a couple of drinks which were served with these snacks (enormous olives and cheese straws.)
We visited in September, so it wasn’t really sunbathing weather but very pleasant to sit around the pool anyway.
Afternoon tea at Longueville Manor, Jersey
Afternoon tea was served in a delightfully comfortable lounge, though you could definitely take this outside on a warmer day.
I snapped a quick picture of the menu:
We were asked if we had any allergies. I don’t eat fish so they kindly brought my sandwiches on a separate plate from the plate that held the salmon sandwiches.
All of the sandwiches were delicious and of course cut into delicate, crustless fingers.
We each had a plain as well as a regular scone which were served with clotted cream, Longueville’s own strawberry jam and proper Jersey butter.
Then there was this pretty patisserie layer.
When the afternoon tea was served we were told about each layer and what all the different cakes were. I didn’t take notes as I thought I would remember them – you guessed it, I was wrong. I shall tell you what I think they were, don’t hold it against me if I am not entirely correct! The most important thing is that they were all marvellous!
Lara’s favourite was a mango and passionfruit compote served on a layer of Chantilly cream.
This was pistachio and citrus layered with biscuit.
There were also a lovely chocolate confection:
If you don’t want to have the full afternoon tea you can also choose a cream tea which includes tea with scones strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Or you can go for the full afternoon tea but also add a glass of champagne (I say go for it, definitely the right choice!).
Service was friendly but respectful and perfectly suited to such a beautiful hotel. In fact all of the staff we came into contact with were lovely. They even poured my tea for me “milk first or last?”!
The Cottage Garden Spa
After our afternoon tea, I indulged in a full body massage in the Cottage Garden Spa. You will find the spa in the grounds of the hotel, near yet more comfortable seating and the hot tub.
I was warmly greeted by my therapist who was completely lovely and really looked after me. I was asked about my preferences for the essential oils which would be used during the massage as well as any areas I wished to be worked on.
She took all my preferences on board and I had the most amazing massage. She really was so warm and friendly and made me feel so comfortable and looked after. I think everyone needs a therapist like this in their lives!
I would love to return to the island one day to stay at Longueville Manor. It is one of those hotels where I would recommend leaving some time in your itinerary just to enjoy the hotel itself. It’s a very special place.
