Boutique hotel the Blonde Hedgehog opens in Alderney

New boutique hotel the Blonde Hedgehog part-opened on Alderney yesterday, comprising three 18th century buildings.

The venue takes its name from the island's thriving population of hedgehogs, notably the rare blonde variety. The restaurant is currently on soft launch with the rest of the property set to fully open later this autumn.

The hotel includes nine rooms and suites set across two buildings, as well as one detached luxury three-bedroom cottage. The main building, built in 1750 as the Rose & Crown pub, houses four bedrooms, named Lapins, Spikes, the Burrow and the Den.

Three further guestrooms and two suites have been created in Clarence House, a Georgian townhouse which was once a family home for Alderney's aristocracy. The rooms, named Beaumont, Sauchet and Tourgis, and two suites, Le Huret and Le Marais, are all named after different areas of the island.

The Corner House dates to 1740 when it was a workers' cottage and is located across the road from the Blonde Hedgehog. The cottage has three bedrooms and is aimed at families or groups of friends, featuring a lounge with fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area. It also has an outdoor space with a fire pit and seating on the ground floor, and a spacious roof terrace connected to the master bedroom.

The hotel's interiors have been designed by Charlie Horner Design, while the restaurant is led by head chef Matt Clarke, serving farm-to-table dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the kitchen garden.

Room rates start at £230 per night, based on two adults sharing, including breakfast.

The property is owned by serial entrepreneur Julie Anne Uggla, and will be overseen by general manager Tracey Farquhar-Beck, whose previous role include general manager at Brent House Hotels and Winford Manor hotel in Bristol, and operations director at Walton Castle in Clevedon, North Somerset.