Travel Information
Travel Advice
Choosing to holiday in the Channel Islands means you not only get to escape the hustle and bustle of life back home and enjoy a “taste of the continent”; but because the Channel Islands are part of the UK, you avoid the hassle of travelling abroad – the currency is the same, the people speak English and driving is on the left
As with any destination worldwide (including back home) it is sensible to take basic precautions such as:
- Avoid walking home alone at night
- If you need directions, ask the reception staff or concierge
- Use licensed taxis only
- Make sure your room is secure when you go out – lock all doors and windows
- Make use of safety deposit boxes if provided or deposit cash and valuables at the hotel reception
- Don’t carry expensive personal items with you when you go out and keep jewellery to a minimum
- Avoid carrying a lot of cash.
- Use credit cards where possible and if you have more than one, keep them in separate places.
Travel Documentation
Whilst passports are not required for entry to the Channel Islands, increased security is such that most airlines now require that you produce valid photo identification at check in. The following forms of ID are acceptable:
- Valid Passport
- Valid Photographic driving licence
- Citizen Card
Hotel Grading
All the properties we feature are regularly inspected to ensure that standards are maintained. The ratings are awarded by independent grading authorities, who inspect properties annually. Where available, we publish the official ratings as a guideline, but this is not an exact science and you should remember that even within one category, there will be differences between properties.
Descriptions and prices should also be taken into account when considering the type of accommodation you can expect.
In general, accommodation is divided in to three main categories: hotel (usually offering a wider range of facilities and services, which will be detailed within the hotel description), guest accommodation (typically smaller guest houses – often family run - possibly only offering bed and breakfast, where quality is more important than facilities and services) and self-catering. Grades are awarded within each category and although all categories of property are given star ratings between one star and five stars, the actual standards will differ as the grading criteria vary according to the accommodation type, so it is important to be aware of the accommodation category. We offer accommodation of all types from the simplest at the lower end of the scale to the more comfortable with a more extensive range of services and facilities at the higher end. Please read the descriptions on our website (and ask our staff for more information if you need it) to enable you to choose the one which is right for you.
Jersey: In Jersey, there is no compulsory grading system. Most accommodation is graded either under the Jersey Quality Assured (JQA) system or by the AA.
Grades range from 1 star to 5 star and the grading criteria are similar regardless of the grading organisation. Where the same number of stars are awarded to an hotel and guest accommodation, this does not indicate properties of the same standard.
Some properties are given red stars, which indicates a superior property within the category and grade.
Visit England Gold and Silver awards are given to hotels and guest accommodation (Gold only for selfcatering) that provide exceptional quality in all areas, in particular in service and hospitality. Some properties have opted out of any grading scheme, although all accommodation must meet minimum health and safety and fire regulations. In this case, no grade is shown in the brochure or online.
Guernsey and Isle of Wight: Grades are awarded under the Visit Britain scheme and range from one star to five star. As in Jersey, you should note that there are different grading criteria for hotels, guest accommodation and self-catering, so the same number of stars in an hotel and guest accommodation should not be taken to mean that you can expect the same standards. Some properties have also opted to be graded by the AA.
Herm, Alderney and Sark: Alderney, Sark and Herm do not use an accommodation grading system. The grading systems in use in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Wight are comparable.
Financial Protection
Holidays which originate from the UK mainland travelling to the Channel Islands are financially protected by the CAA. Our ATOL licence number is 2713. ATOL protection does not apply to holidays which originate from the Channel Islands.
Useful links
Jersey Tourism – The official website of Jersey Tourism
Visit Guernsey; the official tourism website for Guernsey
Herm Island – the official tourism website for the island of Herm