1. Could you introduce Hand Picked Hotels and its role in Jersey’s hospitality sector?
We currently own two hotels in Jersey. We own Hotel L’Horizon Luxury Beach Hotel on St. Brelade’s Bay and the Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa, which is just outside of St. Helier. Hotel L’Horizon on St. Brelade’s Bay is a property we’ve owned for 25 years now. It’s actually one of the first hotels we bought, and it established our connection with Jersey, which eventually led us to acquire a second hotel to act as a twin to L’Horizon.
L’Horizon sits on one of the loveliest, if not the loveliest, bays in the Channel Islands. It’s a fabulous stretch of sand with a beautiful outlook.
2. How does Hand Picked Hotels contribute to Jersey’s appeal as a destination for both business and leisure travelers?
I think we contribute by offering a very high-quality experience. When you travel, whether for holiday or business, staying somewhere that doesn’t meet your expectations can be incredibly disappointing, and it might even dissuade you from visiting that place again.
So, we absolutely endeavor to give people exactly what they’re looking for, and a bit more on top, to make their stay truly memorable and personal. Whether they’re traveling for business or leisure, our focus is on delivering the best service we possibly can, personalized to what each guest is looking for.
3. What are the current trends shaping the hospitality industry in Jersey, and how is your group adapting to them?
I think one significant trend is that people are looking for shorter breaks than they once did. Historically, guests would come to Jersey for a week at a time. Now, they’re often choosing a larger number of shorter trips.
We aim to enhance those shorter stays by offering guests as much interest and enjoyment in a few days as they would have experienced in a week. With our two hotels, for example, guests might stay at L’Horizon for four nights and then visit the Grand Jersey for a special dinner one evening.
At the Grand, we have a wonderful restaurant called Tassili, which was listed in the Michelin Guide this year. It hasn’t yet earned a star, but we’re certainly aiming for one. Overall, we try to make each guest’s stay as personally tailored and enjoyable as possible, ensuring fabulous service, beautiful surroundings, and a warm welcome.
4. What challenges has the hospitality industry in Jersey faced recently, and what strategies have helped you overcome them?
Many of the challenges we face in hospitality aren’t unique to Jersey, they’re industry-wide.
Post-Brexit, for example, the pool of people willing to come and work for us, whether for a short period or long-term, has changed significantly. Additionally, rising costs of food and utilities over the past five years have certainly posed challenges.
To address recruitment, we focus on being an employer that people genuinely want to work for. We’re very open with our staff, we provide excellent training, we pay above minimum wage, and we strive to create a place where people feel they can build a career and that their work is truly valued and appreciated.
On the cost side, all we can do is run our businesses as efficiently and effectively as possible, managing expenses carefully while maintaining high standards for our guests.
5. Can you tell us a bit more about the Hand Picked Hotels group overall? For instance, how many hotels do you have, and do you have any expansion plans?
At present, we have 21 hotels. When my husband and I bought the group back in 1999, we initially acquired 18 hotels. Over the years, we’ve sold some properties and acquired others. Right now, we have no specific plans to expand beyond our 21 hotels, but of course, that could change depending on what comes onto the market and how appealing it is.
Within our portfolio, most properties are historic country houses that have been converted into hotels. For the most part, they’re beautiful old houses with rich histories and architectural charm, sensitively adapted for their new role as hotels. Extensions to create additional bedrooms are done very sympathetically and carefully. The Grand Jersey is an exception, as it’s more of a classic hotel rather than a converted country house.
6. Where do most of your clients come from?
I’d say most of our guests come from the UK, but we’re seeing an increase in visitors from further afield. There’s growing interest among international travelers who are looking for authentic, high-end British hospitality, and Hand Picked offers precisely that.
For overseas guests, we provide the opportunity to stay in beautifully restored historic properties, enjoy fine dining, and explore the English countryside or coastal regions.
7. Do you have many American clients? Is that a significant market for Hand Picked Hotels?
We do have some American guests, but it’s a market we’d very much like to expand into. The Americans who do stay with us deeply value what they experience at Hand Picked, and we see strong potential to welcome more guests from the U.S. in the future.
8. How does your group support and collaborate with local businesses and the broader Jersey community?
Community is one of our core brand values. We’re very committed to being part of the local community, whether in Jersey or elsewhere in the UK or Guernsey.
We actively establish business relationships with local suppliers and partners because our properties are very much integrated into their communities. In Jersey, for example, we work closely with local suppliers to showcase Jersey produce wherever we can. Likewise, in the UK, we seek out local farmers and producers.
If there’s a sheep farmer located not far from one of our hotels, we’d be thrilled to feature his lamb on our menus. We believe supporting local businesses and showcasing regional products is incredibly important for our group as a whole.
9. How do you see the tourism sector in Jersey evolving over the next five to ten years?
I think the tourism sector in Jersey is going to keep getting better at what it does. Competition is intensifying, and to attract visitors—and encourage them to return, you must offer truly exceptional service and experiences.
Jersey has a tremendous amount to offer. The island is stunningly beautiful, with an incredible coastline featuring dramatic cliffs and gorgeous sandy beaches. The food scene on the island is also outstanding. But beyond natural beauty and good food, delivering excellent service and a quality accommodation product is essential.
So, I expect a steady continuation of improvements across the tourism industry in Jersey as businesses work hard to meet, and exceed, guest expectations.
10. Finally, is there a message you’d like to share with Newsweek readers who might be considering Jersey as a place to visit?
I’d say: do come, because you absolutely won’t be disappointed.
In Jersey, you can experience the very best of British hospitality, but with a lovely continental flavor layered on top. There are strong French influences on the island, balanced with the reliable warmth of British service.
There’s something for everyone, whether you’re seeking a relaxing stay by the beach or dramatic hikes along the cliffs that deliver stunning views. So, my message is simple: come to Jersey, you won’t be disappointed.
11. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d just like to say that my husband and I have lived in Guernsey for many years, and over that time we’ve built a very strong connection to the Channel Islands. We absolutely adore their beauty, seclusion, security, and the incredibly warm welcome they extend to both residents and visitors. It’s a wonderfully friendly and safe environment and one we wholeheartedly endorse, as a place to visit, to live, and to do business.
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