The Pomme d'Or Hotel has been in operation for more than 175 years, 100 of them at its current location. During World War II, given its ideal perch on the harbor, the Germans stationed their naval headquarters there. Today, its historic halls cater mostly to business travelers. The octagonal lobby opens to other parts of the hotel on four sides, with marble floors giving way to high-tech meeting facilities.

Overlooking the harbor, the hotel is right in the heart of St. Helier, on the aptly named Liberation Square, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and other hotels. The marina and waterfront gardens are nearby, and all the island's best shopping and cafes are within easy walking distance, as are such attractions as the Victorian-era Central and Beresford indoor markets, the Jersey Museum, and Jersey St. Saviour's Church. It's a five-minute drive or a 15-minute walk to the Merton Hotel, where Pomme d' Or guests can use the Leisure Club and Aquadome at no extra cost.

With ongoing renovations, some of the rooms have not been updated to the same standard as others. In particular, despite some natural wood finishes, the Standard Rooms are decorated in lackluster blues more befitting an economy chain than an upper-mid-range hotel. The Executive Rooms have an updated design, with a conservative, neutral color palette and work desks. Premier Rooms are the liveliest, with a slightly raised lounge area that has a couch and a work desk along with views of the St. Helier marina. All rooms have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, trouser presses, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with pay-per-view movies, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms vary slightly, with Premier Rooms getting walk-in showers as well as separate soaking tubs. All come with high-end toiletries from The White Company.

The Pomme d'Or is one of Jersey's best-known hotels, with a popular restaurant and a Friday night seafood buffet -- a feast of langoustines, mussels, crab claws, oysters, and cured salmon -- in the fine-dining Harbour Room Carvery. The Wharf Bar does ales and pub food, and the Cafe Bar opens early with espresso and pastries, then closes late with cocktails and small bites. Event facilities include 12 adaptable rooms, the largest of which can host up to 300 people, with high-tech presentation equipment and lighting features. There's also a fourth restaurant, La Petite Pomme, a private dining room that's only available as an event space.

For everything else, guests at the Pomme d'Or can head to the the Merton Hotel, an affiliated property in the Seymour Hotel Group, for free use of its swimming and spa pools, sauna and steam room, and fitness center (it's about a 15-minute walk).