La Grande Mare has long been a defining feature of Guernsey's west coast, overlooking Vazon Bay and contributing to the island's tourism and sporting heritage. Today, the site is being transformed through one of the Channel Islands' most significant leisure developments, combining hospitality, golf, wellness and residential accommodation within a single masterplan. The redevelopment demonstrates both the opportunities and challenges involved in delivering a large mixed-use project in a sensitive coastal environment. 

The scheme is being delivered by Pula Investments, the property investment company owned by Steve Lansdown, following planning approval granted in December 2021 after extensive consultation and design development. Demolition of the former hotel began in 2022, marking the first stage of a long-term regeneration programme. Research from the World Travel & Tourism Council, produced in partnership with Oxford Economics, indicates that investment in high-quality visitor destinations strengthens economic resilience, employment and long-term tourism growth, reinforcing the importance of projects that diversify leisure provision and extend visitor seasons. 

At the heart of the development will be a new country club incorporating a lounge, café, conference and events facilities, together with a feature brasserie. The complex will connect directly to a dedicated golf clubhouse and a health and fitness centre featuring wellness facilities, a spa and a 25-metre swimming pool. Collectively, these amenities are intended to serve visitors, local residents, golfers and owners of luxury lodges across the wider estate, creating a destination capable of attracting guests throughout the year rather than relying solely on seasonal tourism. 

Explaining the vision for the redevelopment, Steve Lansdown remarked: "A unique leisure proposition on the largest strategic site in the Channel Islands." His ambition reflects wider trends across the hospitality sector, where successful destinations increasingly integrate accommodation, recreation, wellbeing and business facilities to meet changing visitor expectations. Research from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates that destinations offering diverse, year-round experiences are better positioned to support sustainable economic growth and attract long-term investment. 

Construction has progressed through carefully managed phases, allowing different elements of the scheme to advance while maintaining the overall programme. One of the earliest milestones was the completion of the Golf Performance Centre, which opened in 2025. The facility includes ten covered driving bays equipped with TrackMan technology, two PGA teaching studios and supporting visitor facilities, establishing the first completed element of the wider masterplan. Alongside this, Robin Hiseman of European Golf Design led a comprehensive redesign of the golf course, introducing new playing strategies while improving drainage, landscape integration and course conditioning to create a modern championship-standard experience. 

Reflecting on the project, Steve Lansdown explained that the course would enter "its bedding-in phase" before opening, allowing newly established turf and landscaping sufficient time to mature. Delivering this vision has required collaboration between specialist contractors across multiple disciplines, including demolition, infrastructure, earthworks and sports turf construction. MJ Abbott has undertaken the extensive golf course remodelling, while Ravenscroft Construction delivered elements of the early building programme. As the development has progressed into its next phase, Rok Construction has assumed responsibility for delivering the country club development, providing continuity as work advances towards completion of the principal leisure facilities. The golf course is expected to open ahead of the country club and health suite, marking another significant milestone in the phased delivery of the wider masterplan. 

Environmental stewardship has remained central to the redevelopment strategy. Ecological assessments have informed proposals to protect habitats, strengthen biodiversity and improve landscape quality, while sustainability commitments include greater energy efficiency, responsible water management and reduced waste. These measures recognise that contemporary leisure developments are increasingly expected to balance commercial success with responsible environmental management. 

La Grande Mare represents far more than the replacement of an ageing hotel. It is a comprehensive regeneration project that combines placemaking, tourism, sport and hospitality within a carefully phased development programme. For the construction sector, it provides a compelling example of how long-term investment, specialist expertise and coordinated project delivery can transform an established site into a destination designed to benefit both the local community and visitors for generations to come. The continued progress of the development, supported by the expertise of contractors including Rok Construction, illustrates the value of collaborative delivery in bringing ambitious leisure projects to fruition.