I used to think of Guernsey as somewhere people retired to rather than travelled to, a quaint Channel Island with a pretty coastline, cream teas and little else. It took less than an hour from London City Airport to realise how wrong I was. So what is there to do in Guernsey? Within a morning, I was checking into the five-star Old Government House Hotel & Spa, and wondering why I'd never considered it for a long weekend before. Full of history, this hotel blends tradition with luxury and every amenity you may need for a trip. My mornings began with time in the spa's sauna and jacuzzi before an English breakfast that had me eager to wake up early.
Guernsey has all the charm you'd expect from a seaside island, and St Peter Port is a patchwork of colourful houses that fall towards the harbour, while the coastline alternates between dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. Yet what surprised me most was how cosmopolitan it felt. Beyond the postcard views, there are excellent restaurants, independent boutiques and stylish shops that kept me, a fashion writer, very occupied. It has everything you need for a slower-paced weekend or holiday, but with enough culture, shopping and excellent restaurants to satisfy city lovers too.
