Moorings Hotel Restaurant Makes Jersey Hotel History

Publish date: 05 Apr 2022

Following a change in business ownership and a near half-a-million-pound refurb, The Moorings Hotel & Restaurant, has made Jersey hotel history, by becoming the island’s first and only Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel.

Husband and wife team, Matthew and Iselin Jones took on the lease of the property in June 2021, and initially re-opened the restaurant, under Head Chef Grant Hawthorne at the end of October.

The Moorings has long been a favourite with locals, having gone through various periods of ownership, since it was first registered as a Hotel in the 1851 Census.

The first phase of refurbishment has seen eight sea-facing double rooms opened and launched for bookings just last week. Another three singles, a double and two twin doubles are expected to follow soon.

hotel room in the Moorings

Mr & Mrs Smith is a carefully curated collection of global hotels and travel club with over one million members. Hotels are included by invitation only, and each property is visited and anonymously reviewed by a diverse group of trusted tastemakers.

The invitation to join the collection came about following a visit by the founder of Mr & Mrs Smith herself, Tamara Lohan, back in November, when Visit Jersey brought her through the doors of the then just re-opened restaurant.

Amanda Burns, CEO of Visit Jersey said: “We are incredibly excited that Jersey is now on the Mr & Mrs Smith map, expanding the island’s reach to a new global network of travel enthusiasts. Matthew and Iselin have created a wonderfully stylish and inviting property that not only fulfils Mr & Mrs Smith’s discerning criteria, but also showcases the warm hospitality and world-class experiences visitors can find in Jersey.”

Matthew and Iselin have set out to create a new and original addition to Jersey’s tourism offering.

They both bring to The Moorings a breadth of experience gained from diverse careers, his in hospitality, hers as a television journalist.

Matthew was a Director of JP Restaurants (formerly Jersey Pottery) for nearly 30 years, where he managed both the events side of the business and café operations until March 2020, when he left the family business to explore new opportunities with his wife.

Matthew and Iselin said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been invited to join the Mr & Mrs Smith Collection, and to have been able to launch our rooms with them. We think their demographic is a perfect fit for us, and we hope to open up a new destination for their members, by really showing off some of the best that Jersey has to offer. To have been able to bring back an old gem like The Moorings as a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is more than we ever imagined possible, when we embarked on our vision nearly a year ago.”

With a mutual love for good food, Scandi ‘hygge’ and most importantly people, they are passionate advocates of hospitality in the true sense of the word.

The Moorings is open for bookings via their website www.themooringshotel.com or via MrandMrsSmith.com with double rooms starting from £145. Located on Jersey’s picturesque Gorey Pier with scenic beaches, castles, and cliff-walks just steps away, The Moorings also features an elegant restaurant and bar that showcases local ingredients, a yoga and pilates studio, e-bikes to hire, and more.

 

Latest news

03 Apr 2025

British Superbike Champion to Headline Jersey International Motoring Festival

The 2025 Jersey International Motoring Festival (JIMF), the Channel Islands’ premier celebration of motorsport heritage, is set to welcome 2018 British Superbike Champion and World Superbike race winner Leon Haslam for an unforgettable showcase of motorcycle racing history.
21 Mar 2025

Iconic Jersey visitor attraction welcomes exciting future under new ownership

The Jersey War Tunnels, one of the island’s most iconic and historically significant tourist attractions, has entered an exciting new chapter.
19 Mar 2025

Visit Jersey board to appoint Martin George as Chair

The Board of Directors of Visit Jersey Limited, the organisation responsible for promoting Jersey as a tourist destination, today announces that current Non-Executive Director Martin George will be appointed as Non-Executive Chair on 2 June 2025 when current Non-Executive Chair Lisa Springate retires.
18 Mar 2025

Exploring Jersey’s Rich Geological History

Step back in time and explore the fascinating geological and historical landscape of Jersey’s north-western corner with the Around L’Etacq and Le Pinacle Geowalk, hosted by the Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark.
10 Mar 2025

Jersey Pearl Partners with EVie

Jersey Pearl is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with EVie, bringing sustainable transport to the west of the island for both locals and visitors.
07 Mar 2025

Jersey 2024 Tourism Statistics

Jersey had an increase of visits, with a total of 568,000 people exploring the island. This is an increase of 8% year on year, which is the equivalent to 40,000 more people.
26 Feb 2025

Take a walk on the wild side this Easter at Jersey Zoo

Opening on Saturday 29 March at Durrell’s Discovery Centre, visitors will have a chance to see some of Britain’s wildlife up close, whilst also learning more about their precious habitats.
20 Feb 2025

Taste Jersey Food Festival Returns to Showcase Island’s Culinary Excellence

This annual celebration of Jersey's vibrant culinary scene showcases the diverse styles in the Island's leading restaurants.
18 Feb 2025

Make a ‘Pawsitive Impact’ on Jersey’s Countryside

To promote responsible dog management, the Jersey National Park has launched Pawsitive Impact, in partnership with the Jersey Access Service Providers (JASP) group, which includes the Government of Jersey, the National Trust for Jersey, Jersey Heritage, and the Jersey Farmers Union.
14 Feb 2025

Getting ‘pig-gy’ with it – double celebration for Durrell

Jersey Zoo’s brand-new home for their Visayan warty pigs Tré, Diosa, Babs and Penelope is now open. The new pig house opened to the public on Friday 14 February after a two-month period to allow the pigs to settle in their new home.
13 Feb 2025

Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa’s Tassili restaurant recognised in 2025 Michelin Guide for exceptional dining

Tassili, the luxury fine dining restaurant located within Hand Picked Hotels’ Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa in the Channel Islands, has gained recognition for its impeccable standard of gastronomy with a listing in the 2025 Michelin Guide.
13 Feb 2025

Travelling with dogs and cats to the Channel Islands just got easier

Travelling with your dog or cat between Jersey and Guernsey, and Southampton or Exeter just got easier! Blue Islands, the Channel Islands' airline, is delighted to announce that from 1 March, dogs or cats will be able to travel on flights with their owners, making it simpler when planning a trip or bringing a new dog or cat home from the UK.