Mantis St. Helena

Set in the original officers’ barracks built by the East India Company back in 1774, this boutique hotel isn’t just positioned among St. Helena’s rich history, it’s part of it. Featuring just 30 rooms, the Mantis is also delightfully intimate across its cocktail bar, guest lounge and superb restaurant.

It’s all wrapped up in an enviable address – 1 Main Street. Indeed, the Mantis is just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront, with all the bars and restaurants of the island’s capital on its doorstep. Its neighbour is even the southern hemisphere’s oldest Anglican church. However, back at base, most of the accommodation is decidedly contemporary, with blonde-wood furnishings paired with the likes of USB chargers and high-quality amenities. There’s also a handful of heritage rooms in the original building, dressed in rich fabrics and dark-wood flooring. The suites are the obvious highlight.

Indeed, the building itself deserves a word. It’s a stone-built delight, featuring teak joinery, slate tiling and Georgian accents today fused by Victorian additions. An archaeological survey revealed everything from unique earthenware to Chinese ceramics.

It’s the evocative setting for both the lounge and the welcoming restaurant. Here, dishes are designed to make use of local ingredients wherever possible – something overseen by Roy Richards. Having served as executive chef on the Royal Mail Ship for 15 years, his menus span from St. Helena fishcakes and mussels to Portuguese grilled chicken and biltong salads. The addition of the cocktail bar and the pair of outdoor terraces is a nice touch – perfect for taking in the island’s sunny disposition.