Somerville Hotel

We loved how welcoming everyone was, from reception through to the restaurant staff. The restaurant and bar have amazing views, and just a three-minute walk around the corner takes you to the water's edge for sunrise, with lots of good local places nearby. Our room had a hot shower and bathtub, and the decor throughout had a quaint feel. A lovely place.

The views are great, and it's easy to reach the village, though the walk back up is steep. Reception was especially helpful, and all the staff were friendly. Service in the dining room, particularly at breakfast, was a bit hit and miss. It might work better if staff each looked after a section, since people can otherwise be missed and left waiting. The bedroom furniture is an odd mix of old and new that doesn't quite come together. We had a lovely dinner. Be clear about how you want your breakfast cooked and it should be good.

The food was superb, and afternoon tea was very good value. Breakfast included sourdough and other local treats, including Jersey yoghurt and Jersey butter for toast. The pool was clean and a decent size, with plenty of loungers and parasols, and the bar was pleasant, with cheerful, attentive staff. The hotel itself was spotless and relaxed, and the staff were keen to make our stay enjoyable. Our room was quiet and well appointed. The safe is tiny, and while there was no air conditioning, a fan was provided. That suited us, since hotel air conditioning can be noisy and hard to control. The hotel sits on a hill, so it may not suit people with mobility issues, though we managed both climbs without trouble, despite not being spring chickens. This was our first stay at the Somerville Hotel, and we plan to return. We were delighted with it and its views.

Ilko, the bar manager, knows his stuff and was happy to share it. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him or his team. Big Richard deserves thanks too. The staff really couldn't do enough for us, and the food was excellent. We had a lovely stay at this hotel. One small tip, get the money-saving app, it makes a difference.