Chateau La Chaire

We had a problem with our room, but the staff were brilliant and moved us into a larger one that same day. Breakfast was really tasty, with plenty to choose from, and it was quiet enough for a good night’s sleep. The hotel is about 30 minutes by bus from St Helier, and there’s a nice pub in Rozel just a three-minute walk away where you can order food in. The place is clean and in decent shape, though the website photos make it look a bit better than it is. It could use some maintenance. We had a special stay.

The staff made the meal feel special, presenting everything beautifully and taking care over every detail. I had dinner in the formal dining room with its wood-lined walls: delicious lobster risotto, then pavlova, with a glass of the excellent house red. It may have been the best meal I’ve had during my month on the island. I’d recommend it for both the food and the professional service.

The place feels very dated, with dirty carpets, rotten wooden balcony doors, and bathroom windows in the same condition. The menu is poor, with just one vegan option, and the chef couldn’t make anything else. There was no vegan butter at breakfast either. An emergency plumber interrupted our stay, but he couldn’t fix the bath taps.

You’ll be disappointed. It’s really gone downhill. The food is poor and the service disappointing. The afternoon tea scones weren’t cooked, even after we sent them back and got them returned. Tea is just a teabag in a cup, self-service. They run out of basics and don’t restock them, or seem to care.