Havre des Pas is the seafront district on the south coast of St Helier, Jersey. If you are looking at hotels in Havre des Pas, this is what it is actually like to stay here. It is a promenade lined with hotels and apartments facing the bay, with a tidal sea water bathing pool as its best known landmark. Marina Metro Hotel sits directly on that promenade.
The appeal of staying here rather than in the centre of St Helier is simple. You are on the sea, away from the noise of the town, but close enough to walk in. Guests put the walk into the town centre at roughly ten to fifteen minutes. The Number 1 bus runs from the promenade and reaches the centre in about five.
The Havre des Pas bathing pool is a few minutes along the promenade. It is a tidal lido, filled by the sea, and several guests have chosen the hotel specifically to be near it.
Two things are worth knowing before you arrive. La Collette power station is visible to the right as you look out to sea, which surprises some guests who had not expected it in the view. And there is a public house across the road from the hotel which can be lively on warm evenings, though it stops serving at 11pm.
For eating out beyond the hotel there is an Italian restaurant next door, a beach bar next door but one, a Portuguese restaurant across the road, a bistro in Roseville Street, and restaurants in the two other hotels along the seafront. Guests have recommended Samares Manor gardens, the Jersey War Tunnels, Durrell Wildlife Park, Mont Orgueil Castle at Gorey and St Brelade's beach as trips from here, most of them reachable by bus.
The Havre des Pas bathing poolThe seafront, ten minutes from the town centreMarina Metro Hotel on the promenade
In guests' own words
What guests said
11 of our published reviews mention this. They are reproduced here exactly as they were written.
Wonderful hotel, the staff are lovely, and the French toast is the best I've ever had
Kirsten//★★★★★5 out of 5
The Marina Metro Hotel was recommended to us by a friend, and I'm very glad of it. We stayed for a week in a lovely room with sea views. Perfectly located on the shore, just a few minutes walk from the Havre des Pas lido, and also handy for town too. It's located in a beautiful part of St Helier.
What this guest liked: The food was very good indeed on the whole, and the soundproofing was excellent. The manager was most helpful and provided us with a fan for the room because of the very warm weather.
What they would change: The hotel has no parking, although it's close enough to town to walk in. We found parking in a multi-storey some 10 minutes away.
Great hotel in a good location near the beach
Susan//★★★★★4 out of 5
We had three relaxing nights at the Marina Metro Hotel. The rooms were nicely done out and the staff were helpful and friendly.
What this guest liked: The hotel was ideally located for the beach at Havre des Pas which is very good for children. The resident entertainer was good and we enjoyed the quiz night and the open mic night.
What they would change: It was a 15 minute walk into the centre of Saint Helier.
The perfect location, comfortable, and with everything I needed
Penny//★★★★★4 out of 5
I loved the location, it was very close to St Helier but not too close to the busy centre. It was on good bus routes for access to Gorey too. It was just by the sea, with beautiful views and very close to the lido, which was perfect for swimming. I liked the facilities at the hotel, including the fridge, very handy.
What this guest liked: Location, sea views, proximity to the lido, in-room fridge.
What they would change: I was often woken very early as the curtains let in lots of light.
Weekend break right on the sea front
Ian//★★★★★5 out of 5
Friday to Monday break. Chose the hotel because of the sea front location and wasn't disappointed. Sea water pool two minutes walk along the promenade, town centre about ten minutes.
What this guest liked: Sea views, sea front location, quiet, good food, rooms spacious and very clean, friendly staff. Will stay again.
What they would change: There is a power station to your right as you look out to sea, but no noise.
Pleasant and relaxing
Philip//★★★★★5 out of 5
A pleasant hotel right on the beach but only a short walk from the centre of St Helier. It was lovely to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Staff were all helpful and friendly.
Great vacation
Miss C//★★★★★5 out of 5
We were on a four night break which was very relaxing. The hotel is on a prime location right next to the beach. There are plenty of seats to sit on and just look out at the view. The hotel was a short walk to St Helier town centre with bus stops nearby.
What this guest liked: I liked the fact that it was at the beach. The full English breakfast was excellent, freshly made with plenty of toast and coffee. The rooms were spotless with clean towels every day.
A great balance of friendliness and efficiency
Gary//★★★★★5 out of 5
As a Jerseyman who now works abroad, I chose this location as I wanted to be on the seafront and close to town. Cost was also a consideration. I stayed for ten days. The weather was fantastic and I would love to have stayed a lot longer.
What this guest liked: Breakfast looking out to sea on a beautiful part of the Jersey coast, and the genuine friendliness of the staff.
A very nice place to stay
susan//★★★★★4 out of 5
One week bed and breakfast in a sea view room. Hotel close to the rocky beach and the sea water lido. Close to St Helier but in a nice quiet area.
What this guest liked: Very easy to get around the island on the local buses.
Relaxing stay in a good location
Linda//★★★★★4 out of 5
Hotel is in a good location, overlooking the sea away from the noisy town centre but only 15 minutes walk to reach the shops and bus station.
What this guest liked: Excellent location, good value.
What they would change: At the time of our stay the restaurant menu was limited for vegetarians.
Holiday by the sea
Anders//★★★★★4 out of 5
Short vacation close to the sea.
What this guest liked: To hear the sound of waves at night is wonderful.
The best in Jersey
Joanne//★★★★★4 out of 5
Brilliant.
What this guest liked: Location on the seafront, and really friendly helpful staff.
Before you book
Questions guests ask
Where exactly is Marina Metro Hotel?
Marina Metro Hotel is on The Promenade at Havre des Pas, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4UQ. It sits directly on the seafront promenade, with the sea wall immediately in front of it and the bay beyond.
The hotel is in the parish of St Helier. Some third party listings incorrectly place it in St Clement, which is a different parish. If you are given directions to St Clement, they are wrong.
How far is the hotel from St Helier town centre?
Roughly ten to fifteen minutes on foot, depending on your pace and which route you take. Guests consistently describe it as a ten to twenty minute walk.
There are two walking routes. One goes past the power station and through the tunnel, which is the most direct. The other goes over Mount Bingham, which is hillier but more scenic, or through Snow Hill car park. The hotel is also on the Number 1 bus route, which reaches the town centre in about five minutes.
Is the hotel really on the beach?
Yes. The hotel fronts directly onto the promenade at Havre des Pas, with the sea wall between the building and the water. At high tide guests in sea view rooms report hearing the waves against the wall from their beds.
The beach at Havre des Pas is rocky and sandy depending on the tide. The Havre des Pas bathing pool, a tidal sea water lido, is a few minutes walk along the promenade.
How close is the Havre des Pas bathing pool?
A few minutes walk along the promenade, described by one guest as two minutes. It is a tidal sea water lido and is one of the best known landmarks in the area.
Several guests have chosen the hotel specifically for its proximity to the pool.
Is there a view of the power station?
Yes, and it is worth knowing before you book. La Collette power station is visible to the right as you look out to sea. It does not generate noise that guests have reported, but it is in the view from some rooms and from parts of the promenade.
Guests who mention it in their reviews describe it as a surprise rather than a problem. As one put it, the views are great if you look left.
Is it noisy at night?
It depends on which room you have. There is a public house across the road from the hotel, and rooms at the front facing the road can pick up noise from it and from passing traffic, particularly on warm evenings when windows are open and people are sitting outside.
The pub stops serving at 11pm. If you are a light sleeper, the hotel's own advice in its published replies is to book a side sea view or full sea view room rather than a standard room, as the standard rooms are on the road facing side of the building.
What is there to do nearby?
The promenade itself, the Havre des Pas bathing pool, and coastal walks in both directions. Guests have recommended Samares Manor gardens, the Jersey War Tunnels, Durrell Wildlife Park, Mont Orgueil Castle at Gorey, and St Brelade's beach as day trips from the hotel.
For food and drink beyond the hotel, there is an Italian restaurant next door, a beach bar next door but one, a Portuguese restaurant across the road, a bistro in Roseville Street, and restaurants in the two other hotels in Havre des Pas. All are within a short stroll.
Is the island easy to get around from the hotel?
Yes. The hotel is on the Number 1 bus route and guests regularly use the island bus network to reach Gorey, the zoo and the beaches. Several reviews mention using buses throughout their stay rather than hiring a car.
Taxis serve the area, though some guests have noted they can take a little while to arrive at busy times.
Booking on marinametrojersey.com goes straight to us rather than through an agent, so we can hold rooms, arrange airport transfers and answer questions before you arrive.
