The Braye Beach Hotel, Alderney – Travel Review

Braye Beach Hotel “Arrive as a visitor, leave as a friend”. This was our perfectly pitched greeting from Richard Proctor, General Manager of the Braye Beach Hotel, the only establishment on the island with 4 stars and with a warmth and ambience that has to be experienced first-hand.

Resplendent in his red braces, Richard is a wonderful character and instantly makes guests feel at ease with a blend of charm and bonhomie that is never intrusive. An Alderney resident for the last three years after an international career in the hotel industry including what might appear to be more glamourous islands like Bermuda, Richard says he knows that he has now found the place where he wants to stay for a long time.

The Braye Beach Hotel is a row of converted fishermen’s cottages literally on the edge of the most stunning soft sand beach. It’s rare to find a hotel that offers true doorstep beach access but this really is the case here. Step outside from the lower ground floor straight onto the sand, and the water’s edge is just a few feet away, perfect for a quick swim before breakfast.

Braye Beach Everything about the Braye Beach exudes quality but not of the shiny ostentatious type. There’s nothing ultra-modern or minimalistic, and it’s all about a friendly experience – guests strike up conversations in the bar and restaurant, and the locals come in for dinner and special occasions. The hotel is the place for celebrations and anniversaries.

The dress code is casual; Richard’s braces are by far the smartest item of apparel to be seen, and yet one feels a gentle undertone of well-heeled guests. They just don’t want to brag about it.

A state- of-the-art 25 seat cinema is ideal for inclement weather days and there are weekly screenings of popular films. Guests can also bring their own DVDs or select from the hotel’s library.

Braye Beach Hotel restaurant & terrace The main restaurant offers a la carte dining or a choice from the bar menu, and it spills out onto a lovely terrace with sea view for al fresco dining. It’s all very flexible and easy going but with an underlying attention to quality and detail. Just like Richard, who is attentive and interested in his guests but constantly watching over proceedings and ensuring no detail is missed by the rest of his efficient team.

The food is excellent and inventive with British staples such as fish & chips, fruits de mer and beautifully textured, locally reared beef (served as both fillet and sirloin) for those who prefer more traditional cuisine.

Braye Beach Hotel bedroom Bedrooms at the Braye Beach are very comfortable, not huge but well-equipped with tea & coffee making facilities and a mini-bar. A nice touch is the jug of real milk in the fridge to avoid all that messing about with tiny plastic cartons. It’s all so simple and other hotels should take note.

Tired city dwellers will find that 2 days at the Braye Beach offers the kind of uplifting experience that feels more like a week’s holiday. And getting there is just a 40 minute hop from Southampton or a wider range of connections via Guernsey; so much easier than a long drive to Cornwall or the Lake District, and much more special too.

Braye Beach Hotel lounge On the morning of our departure, Richard was there making tea and toast and bidding a fond farewell. It’s the kind of place that you want to recommend to everyone, yet at the same time feeling that you have discovered a real treasure of a hotel. Just like Richard, it’s a place where I would love to stay a lot longer.

For further information, please visit www.brayebeach.com.

Under the same ownership is the Fermain Valley Hotel on Guernsey and taking a twin centre break at each hotel is a perfect way to experience the very best of each island.

Other accommodation options on Alderney include three more hotels, 9 B&Bs and a range of self-catering options including a converted fort, Fort Clonque, which is now a Landmark Trust property and often has to be booked up to a year in advance.

See also

202 people found this helpful
17816

Share Article:

Debbie Marshall

Founder of Silver Travel Advisor

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.