An island paradise found on the Channel Island of Sark
Charley Yates
La Sablonnerie, a privately owned hotel offering comfort, superb food and an amazing atmosphere, where its guests enjoy a different pace of life
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The tiny island of Sark is one of the Channel Islands just off the coast of France. It can only be reached by boat. As you arrive at the tiny harbour jetty you step back in time to an era without cars or the bustle of a city. Life on Sark is relaxed and friendly and the pressures of everyday living are quickly replaced with calm, solitude and wellbeing.
This relaxed way of life is the absolute priority of La Sablonnerie Hotel, first established in 1948 by the Perrée family. Today La Sablonnerie retains the delightful characteristics of the old farmhouse built some 400 years ago and occupies a unique position on Little Sark, which is joined to the mainland by a dramatic causeway: La Coupée. The hotel has built an enviable reputation for its superb food and wines; local butter, fresh cream, meat, fruit and vegetables which, where possible, are sourced from the hotel’s own farm and gardens. The hotel accommodation is very clean and comfortable and totally geared to unhurried relaxation.
It is important to say that life on Sark is lived at a totally different pace to the mainland. Switch off the mobile, unplug the IPad and simply surrender to a life that is metered by the birds, bees and vibrant flowers in a dramatic, unspoilt landscape. La Sablonnerie is comfortably nestled in naturally landscaped gardens. It is a true haven and an amazing paradise for lovers of peace and tranquillity. Simply sit in the garden and relish one of the glorious cream teas or luxuriate with a fresh Lobster Salad for an unhurried lunch in the beautifully managed garden.
La Sablonnerie is owned and managed by Elizabeth Perrée. Many guests return year-after-year to recapture the beauty and solitude of the island and to enjoy the excellent cuisine, wine, cosiness and friendliness that is always evident at the hotel.
Of course being so close to the sea, freshly caught fish and famous Sark lobsters are popular specialities on the hotel menu. La Sablonnerie has been featured by the Which? hotel guide as ‘The place to stay in the Channel Islands’, and also received a highly coveted award from Condé Nast Johansen – ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ as well as being nominated as their “Most Romantic Hotel”. Les Routier’s pronounced La Sablonnerie as “Hotel of the Year” Last year.
La Sablonnerie is very relaxed. Guests gather in the bar in the evening or often in the rose and lavender scented garden for a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of champagne. The bar with its roaring log fire is a very convivial meeting place. After dinner, guests will often return to the bar to sit and chat with each other. Others take advantage of Sark’s ‘Dark Sky’ status to stargaze. Sark is the world’s first dark sky island by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is amazing how brilliant the stars become when you turn off the polluting lights.
And when the day is done and sleep beckons the hotel is ready and waiting. It has been extended and discreetly modernised to provide 22 rooms, each individual in style and décor, including a delightful Honeymoon Suite. La Sablonnerie offers immaculate comfort, beautifully prepared linen, fresh flowers and fruit in the room, along with a hot water bottle tucked into your bed at night, if a little extra snugness is needed. Of course room service is available upon request.
To book a holiday, short stay or just a table for Lunch or dinner at La Sablonnerie please contact Elizabeth Perrée directly at (0044) (0)1481 832061 or E-mail: reservations@sablonneriesark.com with your requirements. For lots more detail on the hotel and Sark along with many colour pictures, please visit the website at www.sablonneriesark.com
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