Seymour Hotels Centenary Magazine SPREADS - Flipbook - Page 58
Welcome to... honeymoon island
F
Honey
Hon
eymoon
moon
WELCOME TO...
Island
Main Picture: 1953 Easter parade
of 38 newly-married couples
honeymooning in Jersey
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The phrase “Love Island” is
now synonymous with bikinis,
personalised water bottles and
relationships in the sun filling
our television screens. But in 1946
Jersey became the original island
of love as it earned the nickname
‘Honeymoon Island’.
ollowing five years of war, many couples were eager
breeze, fastened to both the coaches and the waiters who
to finally say the words “I do” having waited for the
were elegantly dressed in their white gloves and jackets, at
conflict to end. In April 1946, George was walking
the ready to dart between the couples. These picnics included
through the newly re-opened Merton Hotel and noticed 11
an afternoon tea complete with champagne and cake on
newlywed couples enjoying their honeymoon. Inspired by
the castle lawn overlooking the beach. Having enjoyed an
memories of his own with Ada in 1919, George set about
afternoon in the spring sunshine, the honeymooners would
transforming Jersey into the perfect honeymoon destination.
head across to Tams Hotel in St Brelade, another property
This idea would spark a boom for the Island that saw
under the Seymour Hotels umbrella, to continue the
hundreds of couples travel during the shoulder months and
celebrations. You’d find George Seymour at the centre of it
evolve the offering of local tourism providers.
all; beaming as he watched the Honeymooners cheers, their
In 1956 Stanley Mason, the General Manager at the
champagne glasses clinking, slicing the huge wedding cake
Merton Hotel and George’s brother-in-law, reported that
and dancing the evening away.
there weren’t enough double beds on the Island for the
By 1948, after the trickle of honeymooners turned into
demand! Robin Seymour, son
a constant flood due to George’s
of George and Ada and current
entrepreneurial spirit, Jersey Tourism
Chairman of the hotel group,
started to host the Honeymoon Ball
fondly remembers one of his
at West Park Pavilion. Hundreds
first tasks as Junior Manager
of honeymooners would fill the
at the Merton Hotel when he
ballroom, crowding the dancefloor and
joined in 1952: pushing single
leaving just enough space to allow the
beds together to make doubles
grooms to twirl their brides as they
for the arriving honeymooners.
waltzed, quickstepped and jived.
British couples would rush
With these successful events
from the chapel to the airport,
firmly established, many other local
often with families in tow,
hotels followed suit and joined
and fill entire planes. On
the Honeymoon “trend”. Over the
touchdown at Jersey Airport,
following years the activities available
Jersey was a foreign, exotic
the newlyweds would be met
would increase and develop, even
with a glass of champagne
destination for people to travel to. including a Honeymooners Car Rally
and a bouquet of flowers for
in 1964.
the bride. The Mascot Motors
But why Jersey? At the time, Jersey
coaches waited nearby, decked
was a foreign, exotic destination
out for the Honeymoon
for people to travel to. They didn’t
Special, to take the visitors to
need passports and the language and
the Merton Hotel or rather
currency were the same as at home. A
the Honeymoon Hotel as it
trip to Jersey provided the thrill and
came to be known. Confetti
wonder of travelling to what could
sprinkling the corridors was
be a far-away place, but without the
not an uncommon sight as the
inconvenience and great expense.
flutters of paper were jostled
During this period, a British tax
from pockets, the turn-ups of
provision allowed couples who
trousers and the folds of skirts,
married before the 6th April (the end
dresses and jackets.
of the financial tax year) to file a joint
But Jersey honeymoons
return for the entire previous year.
were not the holidays for couples to spend purely on their
This allowed a tax saving of around £240 to £300; providing
own. Sharing tables at breakfast and dinner, new and lasting
a welcome contribution to the honeymoon fund and just the
friendships were struck. Couples would venture along
right amount to make splashing out on a Jersey Honeymoon
Jersey’s coast, cycle through the country lanes, go swimming
with the off-season special hotel deals feasible.
and head to evening dances in groups and all were grateful
The newlyweds often returned in the following years
for what the company brought; the opportunity to revel in
with their growing families. It’s thanks to their visits and
the joy of their honeymoon without being singled out for
George’s foresight in making the most of the honeymooner
the affection they showed. The Mascot Motors coaches were
opportunity that the hotels were able to flourish once more
the hub of it all, offering island tours during the day and
after World War II. Lasting until the end of the 1960s,
ferrying the honeymooners to a range of special activities,
Honeymoon Island saw locals, as well as the hotels, join
entertainment and dance venues by night.
together to create a lasting experience for these couples;
A favourite activity was the Merton Hotel Honeymoon
creating special memories, starting friendships that have
Picnics. Every year, the hotel would host one or two of these
lasted lifetimes and crafting stories that are still shared today
picnics at Mont Orgueil Castle. Satin ribbons rippled in the
across the generations.
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