The Blonde Hedgehog Hotel Review: Alderney’s Boutique Gem

The Blonde Hedgehog is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Alderney’s Saint Anne. With thoughtful design, warm service and island charm, it’s the perfect base to explore the island. Add in a serendipitous backstory and standout food, and it’s well worth the journey to get here.

The Blonde Hedgehog fits perfectly into Alderney’s quiet charm – modest, beautifully designed, and full of character. Set in the heart of the island’s main town Saint Anne, this boutique hotel brings a touch of understated luxury to one of the most remote and intriguing destinations just 45 minutes from Southampton Airport.

The (short) history of The Blonde Hedgehog

What makes The Blonde Hedgehog even more special is the story behind it.

The owner and founder Julie-Anne hadn’t even planned to come to Alderney. She was headed for Cornwall in a private plane, but fog meant she had to land on the island instead. She ended up falling for Alderney and bought the adjoining buildings for sale, creating The Blonde Hedgehog as the result.

Opened in September 2019, The Blonde Hedgehog has since become a cornerstone of Alderney’s hospitality scene. But building a hotel on a remote island isn’t easy. From transporting furniture and fittings, to finding skilled workmen willing (and able) to cross the water, every element was a challenge.

And of course, there was the lockdowns of 2020-22 to keep hotel life spicy.

The tumultuous start was worth it though. The result is a stylish and cosy place to stay and eat on the island, and a real spot for celebration for locals and holidaymakers.

My room at The Blonde Hedgehog

The hotel offers a mix of rooms and suites in its main Georgian townhouse, plus a beautifully restored cottage across the street. Think: stripped-back wooden floors, marshmallow-soft beds, vintage lamps, and freestanding tubs. It’s luxurious, but unfussy.

The room smelt amazing when I walked in, a hazy wall of wild fig and saffron from the Plum & Ashby products. In all my travels I don’t think I’ve ever had a room with a radio – the Roberts radio tuned into BBC Radio Jersey was a great touch to stimulate all the senses.

My bed was huge, full of cushions. It was a wonderfully warm weekend on my visit so I didn’t use the large freestanding tub, but the spacious shower was a joy – especially with those fancy products to sample.

The restaurant at The Blonde Hedgehog

The Blonde Hedgehog’s restaurant is another reason to book your stay here. The menu celebrates local produce – fresh fish, seasonal veg, and the kind of sourdough you’d queue for in London.

I was lucky enough to have two breakfasts (smoked salmon and eggs and then a sausage and bacon muffin), a lunch and two dinners at The Blonde Hedgehog – including this incredible tasting menu.

• Squid ink risotto with crab creme fraiche
• Ricotta ravioli with parmesan and lemon
• Tuna tataki, ponzu, Vietnamese pickles, coriander
• Alderney pork cheek, miso lobster, fondant potato, yellow beets, asparagus
• Chocolate mousse cake, apricot daquiri, raspberry sorbet

It’s hard to choose a favourite dish to be honest, you’re just going to have to go for the full menu.

I had this Korean chicken salad on the first day which was pretty special too. Just the perfect amount of chicken to salad, with some super yellow Alderney butter on the side for my sourdough too.

All enjoyed in the beautiful restaurant with the sun flowing in through the open bi-folding doors.

There felt like a strong community feel among the staff at the hotel: the team includes staff from Kenya who were really friendly and attentive. I chatted to one team member, Mary, who described the culture shock of returning to Nairobi after two years on the island. She said her sister had to remind her not to have her phone in her back pocket and look after her purse. She loved working at the hotel.

Things to do near The Blonde Hedgehog

Staying at The Blonde Hedgehog gives you the perfect base for exploring Alderney’s wild, wonderful beauty. You’re only a 10-minute walk downhill from the beach to watch sunset, and you’re right in the middle of town for the other bars, restaurants (not that you need them) and shops.

You could rent an electric bike from Cycle and Surf like I did, and take a slow loop around the coast, stopping off at golden beaches and windswept cliffs.

You could also book a wild sauna and yoga session nearby, and you have to go out one night to see the native blonde hedgehogs that gave the hotel its name. Book in with Roland at the Alderney Wildlife Trust for a hedgehog and bat walk.

The Blonde Hedgehog Hotel Review

There are only a couple of hotels on Alderney, and The Blonde Hedgehog is undoubtedly the most design-forward.

A room costs from £190 per night to stay at The Blonde Hedgehog, which includes breakfast. It’s less than five minutes from Alderney airport and is a great hotel for couples and families. There are stairs and no lift, so just bear that in mind if accessibility is an issue for you.

Whether you’re after a cosy weekend away or a base to explore Alderney, The Blonde Hedgehog is a wonderful choice. It’s stylish without being overdone, the food’s excellent, and the staff make you feel right at home. It’s a great little spot on a very special island.