The Islands of Guernsey are a popular destination for wellness holidays, with wild swimming spots, hiking trails, spas and good food in abundance.
They are also known for how safe they are, with low crime rates and friendly people. This makes our Islands perfect for the solo traveller looking to enjoy a wellness retreat. We’ve created a list of places to stay, places to eat and things to do to make it easy for someone looking to take a solo wellness trip to enjoy all that we have to offer.
Where to stay
Camp de Reves Glamping
For the solo traveller who loves nature, the Camp de Reves Glampsite is for you. Boasting panoramic west coast sea views and sunsets, their shepherd huts make for an adventure you’ll always remember. Each of the shepherd huts has a double bed, a shower, kitchen and log burning stove with fabulous views from a private decking area. Fresh bed linen and towels are supplied. Inside the oak frame barn, there is a large indoor games room with a small on-site shop, perfect to meet new people. Within walking distance, there are beaches, restaurants and many historical sites.
Premier Inn
The Premier Inn in Guernsey is located just a short walk outside of St Peter Port, Guernsey’s capital, at our business hub, Admiral Park. With accessible rooms, free parking, free wifi throughout the hotel and an on-site restaurant, it is perfect for the solo traveller. Their double rooms include a comfortable double bed, great for resting after a long day, an ensuite bathroom and tea and coffee-making facilities. You can enjoy your breakfast and evening meals at the hotel, or make your way into St Peter Port to experience one of the many fabulous restaurants on offer, all just a short bus ride or 25-minute walk away.
Cobo Bay Hotel
Cobo Bay Hotel combines award-winning cuisine and accommodation in a beachfront location along Guernsey’s west coast. Overlooking Cobo Bay, one of the island’s most beautiful bays, the hotel provides the perfect location for a wellness retreat for one. Single or double rooms are available, all with en suite bathrooms and tea and coffee-making facilities. The on-site restaurant offers panoramic views of the bay whilst The Beach Terrace is also open daily (season and weather permitting) for al fresco drinks and dining in a more relaxed atmosphere whilst watching the sunset on the horizon.
The Farmhouse
Sister hotel to Cobo Bay Hotel, The Farmhouse is a family-run boutique country house hotel and restaurant. Set in extensive grounds amongst the scenic Guernsey countryside, just minutes away from beaches, cliff walks and St Peter Port, their rooms include comfortable double beds, tea and coffee-making facilities and en suite bathrooms, with the option of either just a shower or a bath as well. They have a variety of on-site restaurants if you fancy staying in, with menus available throughout the day. You have your choice of the poolside terrace and mature gardens, where you can enjoy al fresco drinks and dining in summer; the Firefly restaurant, which features an open log fire to keep you cosy in winter; or The Stable Bar & Lounge, which is popular for coffee, cocktails and casual dining. There is also a heated outdoor pool, which is worth a dip in.
Albany Self Catering Apartments
If self-catering is more your style, Albany Self-Catering Apartments have a range of one-bedroom apartments perfect for your solo trip. The apartments have fully equipped kitchens, comfortable lounges, complimentary WiFi, full-size toiletries, linens, and bath and beach towels. There is also a seasonal heated, saltwater pool available for all guests to use in the large gardens. It offers easy access to some of Guernsey’s most popular bus routes, and is just a 10-15 minute walk from the heart of Saint Peter Port.
For a full list of the accommodation options available on-island, click here.
Where to eat
Guernsey is well known for its gastronomic scene and has a deserved reputation as a place with a variety of great places to eat.
In St Peter Port, there is a whole host of restaurants offering delicious food. At Hook and Red, enjoy some of the best steaks on the Island, alongside a glass of wine from their extensive menus or a cocktail from the bars upstairs.
Rosso offers authentic Italian pizza and pasta with the option to enjoy your food at the bar or from the large high-top table, where you’ll be joined by other solo diners or groups. Alternatively, you can take your food to go and enjoy it elsewhere.
For walk-ins, enjoy traditional Spanish tapas at Tinto, cheese and wine at Rouge, or ramen and poke bowls at Fukku- all perfect for passing the time while people-watching.
For bistro dining, Cafe Emilia offers a varied brunch and lunch menu with a Portuguese twist. Another option, Christies, offers fabulous food, views and atmosphere.
Along the coast, you will find a range of restaurants and beach cafes. Cobo Tea Rooms offer delicious homemade cakes and sandwiches in an informal setting overlooking the beach. For a sit-down evening meal by the coast, The Rockmount is a gastro pub catering to all dietary requirements. You can sit in the restaurant by the fire, or join the locals in the Tap Room bar and watch a football match whilst you eat. Fermain Beach Cafe is also well worth the visit for a coffee and sandwich or salad alongside one of Guernsey's best views.
A local favourite is to take a trip to the coast and visit one of our fish and chip shops. Within just a few minutes of ordering, you can be sat on the beach or the sea wall enjoying this Island classic. You can find them scattered across the Island, meaning that no matter where you are, you can easily experience this quick and tasty dinner option.
For a full list of pubs, bars, restaurants and bistros, click here.
What to do
Beach Trips and Wild Swimming
What better way to pass the time on a wellness retreat than on the beach? Guernsey is renowned for its beaches, from the long stretches of sand to the clear water. You can relax in the sun or swim in the water. Wild Swimming is a growing wellness activity across the world, and is especially popular in Guernsey, with many Islanders taking to the sea all year round, no matter the weather. Take yourself to one of the many beaches, or go to La Vallette Bathing Pools, a safe and contained set of pools for saltwater swimming.
If you’ve never tried wild swimming before, or would prefer to have others around, the Mental Tentacles and Guernsey Swim Adventures are groups of local swimmers who you can join in the water during your trip. Keep an eye on their Facebook pages for information about upcoming swims.
For the more adventurous, there are plenty of water sports available to take part in. Guernsey Surf School, found at Vazon Bay, hires out surfboards and offers private lessons for individuals, or you can book a group lesson to learn how to surf and meet new people at the same time. You can go coasteering with Go Guernsey Land and Sea or hire one of their kayaks or stand-up paddle boards. You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards from Outdoor Guernsey at Shell Beach on Herm.
Wellness Walks
From short walks around quiet country lanes to hikes along stunning cliff paths, you could spend hours walking and enjoying the views. There are also many historical points of interest to educate you along the way, from castles and forts to sights of folklore and myth, and everything in between. You can take yourself on a walk, book a guided tour or download the VisitGuernsey Walking App for easily accessible routes that you can filter by difficulty and duration to find your perfect route.
If you want to find a specific self-guided route or need help deciding where to go, click here.
Cycling
If you’d prefer to move at a slightly quicker pace, bikes can be hired from several stores on our Islands, all of which, with the exception of Herm, welcome cyclists. Cycling on the Islands of Guernsey gives you easy access to key attractions and allows you to explore at your own pace. Whether you are looking for a few hours of cycling fun or to hire bikes for several days, both are possible from a range of different retailers on Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. There are bikes to suit every need, from mountain bikes to electric bikes and everything in between.
Yoga
Yoga is popular with visitors and locals alike and is a perfect way to spend your wellness retreat. Beach yoga classes are popular, with most classes being announced as Facebook events, so make sure you check listings during your trip or visit the websites of local teachers such as Katie from Yoga Elements and Emma from BeInspired. You can also visit one of our studios, such as All About Yoga or HAY Yoga, or hotels across the islands, for more classes being taught by local teachers.
Enjoy a West Coast Sunset
A west coast sunset on The Islands of Guernsey is not to be missed. Whether you are sitting on the wall at Cobo Bay, gazing out from The White House Hotel on Herm, or relaxing at Clonque in Alderney, the sight is spectacular.
Stargazing
The Islands of Guernsey have some of the clearest skies available, unaffected by pollution; Sark itself is a dark sky Island and is globally recognised as an incredible stargazing spot. Treat yourself and enjoy an evening under the stars, alone and at peace with your thoughts.
Find A Great Picnic Spot
For an afternoon of peace and quiet, without much planning needed, pack a bag and head to a beach, park or Garden for a picnic. You can sit and enjoy nature, catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to read or listen to your favourite music; whatever you choose, a picnic is a simple way to enjoy some time alone.
Island Hopping
If you’re based in Guernsey, it is easy to explore the other Islands in the Bailiwick. Why not go on an Island Hopping adventure to our sister islands of Alderney, Sark, Herm and Lihou to explore their beautiful and unique landscapes.
Jump on the 18-seater plane and enjoy a 15-minute flight, or take the daily ferry in peak season, from Guernsey to the second largest of our islands, Alderney. Whether you want to wander around the streets of St Anne’s, hire a bike and cycle down country lanes, or explore the island by boat, there is much to discover in Alderney.
Just a 50-minute ferry ride from Guernsey, Sark feels like an entire world away. With cars prohibited, the island’s unspoilt landscape and charming unpaved roads are best explored by bike or horse-drawn carriage.
Just 20 minutes by boat from St Peter Port, Herm is a peaceful oasis. With unspoilt beaches, cliff paths, local pods of dolphins, Europe’s most southerly puffin colony and no cars or bikes allowed, this small island is an escape like no other.
If a boat trip isn’t for you, you can follow the cobbled causeway and walk over to Lihou Island, the smallest of our Islands. Here, you’ll discover ruins, tidal pools and nature reserves. With RAMSAR wetlands and marine conservation, Lihou is a wildlife sanctuary ideal for birdwatching and rock pooling. Make sure to check the tides, available online, before planning your trip, and allow for 20 minutes to cross the causeway, as it is only available at low tide. Appropriate shoes are also recommended as the causeway can be slippery.
Museums
For a solo trip filled with culture and history, there are many different galleries and museums on the Islands of Guernsey. From 800-year-old castles to fortifications and bunkers left behind during the German Occupation in WW2, there's plenty to explore. This year also marks 80 years since we were liberated from German Occupation at the end of WW2, so there is no better time to learn about our wartime history.
- Castle Cornet - an 800-year-old castle standing at the mouth of St Peter Port harbour offering insight into hundreds of years of Island history in the four museums housed within the grounds.
- The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery at Candie Gardens - have rolling programmes of temporary exhibitions and art displays, as well as a cafe housed in a Victorian bandstand.
- Fort Grey - a Martello Tower built in 1804 to defend Guernsey's west coast, known locally as the "Cup and Saucer", that now houses the Shipwreck Museum.
- The National Trust of Guernsey’s Folk and Costume Museum - learn about the history of Guernsey’s people over the past 250 years, with selections from the 8,000 pieces in the costume collection.
- German Occupation Museum - within walking distance of the island's airport, the German Occupation Museum provides insight into life in Guernsey during the occupation.
- The Underground Hospital - the largest structural reminder of the German Occupation existing in the Channel Islands that is almost invisible from the surface.
Spa Relaxation
For a break that will leave you truly relaxed, visit one of our many spas. Book a treatment, relax in a jacuzzi or swim in a heated pool. Many of our hotels have spas within the grounds, or you can venture out to one of our boutique spas. The Lavender Rooms, The OGH and St Pierre Park are just a few of the available options.
Sauna & Swim
If you'd prefer to enjoy your spa experiences out in nature, why not book in for a sauna session at Hot Haus?
Located along the picturesque coastline of St. Peter Port the traditional wood-fired Sauna boasts panoramic views from Havelet Bay across to Herm and Sark in the distance, creating an unparalleled setting to unwind and reconnect.
You can alternate between a sauna and sea swim, with the Bathing Pools just a few steps away.
