Hotel Ambassadeur

The staff were friendly and helpful, with just a few exceptions, and the five-course dinner menu at £27.99 was good value. We ate in the pleasant dining room on several nights. The food was decent overall, with some very good dishes, and the portions were generous enough that we skipped a course after our first night. They also handled my food intolerances without any fuss, which is unusual. Low-alcohol choices included Peroni Zero and Guinness Zero. There’s a comfortable lounge, and the games room has a snooker table but not much else. Some board games would have been a welcome addition. There was plenty of free parking, and we were greeted warmly. Tourist maps and brochures were available for free. The hotel was very clean and decorated nicely with good-quality photos of Jersey and other artwork. Our room was a typical hotel size, with two singles pushed together to make a comfortable large double. The blackout curtains made it completely dark at night even without the blackout blinds. From the window we could see the unheated outdoor pool and a narrow strip of sea. There was lots of hanging and drawer space, two mirrors, a flat-screen TV, and small bedside tables with drawers. The lighting was good, especially the reading lights on both sides of the bed. We counted five spare sockets, though none were near the bed. The kettle and cups were tucked away in the wardrobe, which had no power outlet, so we moved them to the little table. The two chairs became more comfortable after we shifted the bed cushions over to support our backs. The bathroom was good and the toilet worked well, but hot water took a few minutes to reach the shower and then swung between scalding and cool. We reported a TV problem, and it was fixed within an hour. The beach is just across a busy main road. A crossing or at least speed bumps would make getting across safer. It’s about a ten-minute drive to town, and you can continue along the coast road to places of interest. The botanic garden is very close. From the hotel, breakfast was average: familiar branded cereals but no granola, plain and fruit yogurts from Jersey, tinned fruit in several varieties, and fresh fruit salad. My poached eggs on the first morning arrived cool with firm yolks. After the staff realised I liked making my own tea, they brought hot water, tea bags and lemon slices each morning. My partner enjoyed the kippers, and service was efficient on most mornings, with ordered dishes arriving quickly. There were small plastic pots of Golden Shred marmalade and jam. No pastries were out on our first day, when breakfast was nearing its end, but croissants appeared later. Sliced ham and cheese were available, though there was no bread or rolls. For Jersey, the Ambassadeur was good value, and I’d be happy to stay again.

It’s easy to drift off to the sound of waves when the tide is in, though the sea retreats a long way. The huge beach is only a few yards away and is a lovely place to swim. Back at the hotel, the pool and sun terrace were spacious, clean and well looked after. I first came here for work, but I’ll return for a holiday. The rooms are comfortable, clean and well equipped, the staff are welcoming, and the restaurant food and service are both very good. I got back late one night and ended up chatting at the bar with Joseph, who turned out to be the manager. Since I also ran a restaurant, we talked about what hotel life is really like. It’s clear this independent place cares about its guests, whether they’re visitors or local people. This is hospitality done right. I’m looking forward to coming back with my wife, and I’d recommend Hotel Ambassadeur without hesitation.

We’ve been here three days so far, and I can’t fault the place. Our sea-view room was worth paying a little extra for, the views are lovely, and the room is clean and comfortable. The staff are cheerful, friendly and always ready to help. Breakfast has been great, and the evening meals we’ve had here have been fine and very good value. It’s easy to get around by bus or taxi, and there are some amazing walks nearby. My one suggestion would be a mini fridge in every room, as it makes a real difference for guests.

Getting into St. Helier takes a little time, but you can walk or catch the reliable buses 1 and 16, which come roughly every 20 minutes during the day. We had a sea-facing balcony and a nicely furnished room and bathroom. Helen and the other dining room staff were friendly and courteous, and both breakfast and dinner were excellent. There’s a pool too, though we didn’t use it.