THE site of a 180-year-old hotel on the island’s east coast is being sold as a potential “development opportunity” – with a £5.5 million price tag.
Offers have been invited for the freehold of the 3,400 sq mtr site of the Pontac House Hotel, which dates from 1830 and was first operated as a hotel in 1845.
Jonathan Quérée of Quérée Property Consultants said that potential buyers would be able to continue the existing hotel business or consider development for alternative commercial/residential uses, subject to planning.
Mr Quérée said it was likely the family-operated hotel business would continue until at least the end of the 2026 season.
“There are no plans to close the hotel,” he said. “It has a solid client base and continues to operate as a profitable and well-loved business.”
Although there was previous interest from a developer in developing housing on the site in 2022, this concept did not reach the planning stage.
A marketing brochure for the property highlights its location directly opposite Pontac Slipway.
The site is described as “a particularly serene and peaceful section of Grande Route de la Côte, where vast tidal movements can be observed twice-daily, providing a constantly changing landscape and views of stunning sunrises and sunsets year-round”.
Between 1873 and 1929, the hotel was also directly opposite the Jersey Eastern Railway, which ran between St Helier and Gorey Harbour.
The hotel business was expanded in 1975, with an extension increasing the total capacity to 55 guests in 27 rooms.
The sale includes an adjoining three-bedroom dwelling, staff accommodation, two large reception rooms, and a separate games room, as well as a sea-facing terrace, a heated swimming pool, gardens and large car park.
Mr Quérée said he had already spoken to several parties interested in acquiring the property.
Although there is no indication that the hotel business will close, news of the sale follows concern expressed by the Environment Minister about the Island’s dwindling number of tourist beds.
At a hearing of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel in April, Deputy Steve Luce said bed numbers had dropped year-on-year “for a long time”, adding: “It’s time we address that.”
The minister said there had been talks about whether restrictions could be imposed on hotel sites that would prevent applications for a change of use, describing these discussions as “challenging”.
Hotel closures within the past decade include the Mayfair, Stafford, Revere and Apollo in St Helier, the Shakespeare in St Clement, the Old Court House in Gorey and the Windmill, Miramar and Highlands in St Brelade.
