Wokingham and Bracknell Lifestyle Aug - Sep 2022

STYLISH
stays
THE ATLANTIC HOTEL
Jersey, UK
These days, travelling abroad has largely
returned back to normal. There is no
requirement to test or isolate, however
if like me, you still feel a slight hesitancy
in jumping on a 5+ hour flight to the med
this summer, then you might find that
Jersey makes a wonderful alternative.
Flights with Blue Island (servicing the
Channel Islands since 2006) are available
from many airports across the UK, and in
our case, traveling from Bristol to Jersey
meant a flight time of less than an hour.
No sooner were we in the air was there the
announcement from the pilot that we were
landing shortly. Amazing.
A mere six minute taxi journey took us
to our destination; The Atlantic Hotel.
Situated in the parish of St Brelade on
the west coast of Jersey, the hotel is
surrounded by breathtaking coastal views
as far as the eye can see. Our ocean
view room gifted us scopes of the golden
sands of St Ouen’s Bay and the Atlantic
ocean. With the sun beaming, who needs
the med we thought!
There is a timeless elegance to the feel
of The Atlantic Hotel. Being situated right
along the bay, every room you step into
is bathed in light, and this continues right
out into the Ocean Restaurant. I must
admit, I was extremely eager to sample
the menu. Since 2017 Chef Will Holland
has been putting together menus at The
Atlantic Hotel that celebrate the very best
that the land and the sea have to offer, so
we knew we were in for a treat. And he
didn’t disappoint. Each course had us in
a state of wonder. Every element on the
plate was so well thought out, so well
pared, and so beautifully presented. With
one Michelin Star under his belt before the
age of 30, it certainly won’t be long before
Will Holland earns his next one under the
The Atlantic Hotel. Watch this space.
The breakfast menu continues the superb
culinary offerings at The Atlantic Hotel,
with a wide selection of cooked breakfast
options, as well as a full continental spread
available. If the weather is good you
are able to take your dining experience
outside beside the pool, which I would
fully recommend as a gorgeous way to
start your day.
Ditch your passport (you don’t need one
to fly to Jersey from the UK!), and book
yourself in to The Altantic Hotel this
Summer. You won’t regret it.
Ocean View rooms available from
£320 per night
www.theatlantichotel.com
LOU CASTEOU FITNESS RETREATS
Côte d’Azur, France
Lou Casteou’s fitness retreats in the South
of France were created for those looking
to have fun, feel great and get fit. The
magnificent chateau in the Cote d’Azur’s
Esterel National Park, provides an idyllic
backdrop for the luxury breaks.
Body Tonic delivers a programme of
energetic and immensely varied workouts
and relaxation. Designed to accommodate
all ages and fitness levels, activities are
led by a team of skilled personal trainers,
keen to help improve stamina, build
strength and boost confidence. Sessions
are challenging yet enjoyable – a variety
of intense stretching, cardio classes, Latin
dance, swimming, yoga, boxing, TRX
training, tennis workshops and coastal
treks. Classes make the most of the
chateau’s scenic location and surrounding
woodlands.
Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ and Afro
dance retreats offer guests a chance to
try out the different dance disciplines of
Salsa, Bachata, Cuban Salsa, Kizomba,
Cha Cha and the party dance, Merengue
and Regaetton. The retreat caters for
beginners, improvers and advanced
dancers, wishing to improve their footwork
skills and dance fitness.
The chateau’s regular Tennis Academies
offer six hours of daily professional
coaching, strategy sessions and
tournaments, along with trips to
surrounding areas of interest and social
events.
Meals at all retreats are enjoyed in
Lou Casteou’s stunning period dining
rooms or gardens, which boast views
to the sea. The cuisine is always
nutritionally balanced, our talented
chefs curate mouth-watering gourmet
dishes, designed to fuel the exercise
programmes and promote general wellbeing
and enjoyment and we have an
excellent open bar serving fabulous
Provençal wines.
Perched on a hillside, the grand, 200
year old venue boasts 12 luxury en-suite
rooms and can comfortably sleep up to 32
guests. The property is also able to cater
for up to 100 guests for conferences,
formal events, launches, weddings and
parties.
For more information about the retreats
or hiring Lou Casteou please visit
loucasteou.com or contact
morag@loucasteou.com.