New technology at the heart of The Atlantic Hotel’s annual upgrade
Today, Thursday 6th February, marks the start of the 2014 season for Jersey’s Atlantic Hotel as the luxury establishment opens its doors once again to visitors after its annual winter maintenance closure. Now, thanks to an ongoing programme of investment, guests can enjoy a variety of new and upgraded facilities including the latest ‘Sky In Room’ TV system.
The Atlantic Hotel is the first property in the Channel Islands to adopt this groundbreaking new in-room experience, allowing its guests to enjoy a full package of Sky television channels including movies and sport from the comfort of their hotel bedroom. Offering around 300 channels with all of the HD services the system will provide guests with a true ‘home from home’ experience.
The hotel has also invested in the latest Samsung 39” HD hospitality television sets to fully enhance the viewing experience. Commenting on this, the latest in a series of improvements within the hotel, owner and managing director, Patrick Burke said, “We are proud to be one of the first hotels in the country to adopt the Sky In Room system which was recently installed at The Ritz in London and also at Chewton Glen in Hampshire. We place a great emphasis on providing luxury and comfort and by installing the very latest technology we can ensure that guests arriving at the hotel in 2014 can look forward to an outstanding in-room TV offering.”
As staunch supporters of local businesses, hotel owners Patrick and Treena Burke commissioned Jersey firm Whittinghams Interiors to create bespoke cabinets on which the state of the art televisions will stand. The stunning mahogany chests have been handcrafted from sustainable sources and perfectly complement the elegant design of the guest bedrooms. They will also house a small fridge, cocktail cabinet and an in-room safe, whilst discreetly concealing the Skybox.
These latest improvements are part of an on-going programme of investment which means that enhancements are continually being made at the hotel. Each and every year the dedicated team at The Atlantic, the only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World in Jersey, undertakes an extensive schedule of winter maintenance.
The hotel is closed to guests for a month every year as everything from the magnificent glass chandelier which adorns the reception area to the beautiful indoor pond in which the hotel’s Koi Carp live, is painstakingly taken apart, checked, serviced and thoroughly cleaned. The kitchens of the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant also see an upgrade as a number of key pieces of equipment are being replaced again this winter.
Whilst the hotel may be closed to the public, it is in fact a hive of activity in January when a team of craftsmen and contractors from over 25 local firms move in to assist with the top-to-bottom regeneration programme.
This year the work is particularly exacting as the exterior of the building is also being refurbished. Whilst guests at the hotel benefit from the breathtaking ocean views and stunning scenery, the constant attention required to keep the art deco style exterior looking fresh is just one of the challenges faced when maintaining a property located in such a beautiful marine environment.
This year the balconies on the Ocean facing side of the property are being dismantled, cleaned, redecorated and then carefully reassembled. As in 2013 the guestrooms will come on stream in phases, a process which will be complete when the Ocean View rooms come back into service on Friday 14th March.
The work forms phase two of a two-year project to refurbish every single balcony at the hotel and started last year with the renovation of the Golf View façade of the building. All of which will ensure that guests can continue to fully appreciate the hotel’s unique location which was recently listed by the Sunday Times as the best place for storm-watching in the British Isles – demonstrating that The Atlantic’s stunning site overlooking St Ouen’s Bay is a winner whatever the weather!