West Bay

If you're visiting on a weekend, book a restaurant ahead of time. There are some brilliant ones an easy walk away. The hotel itself is stylish, with friendly staff and a clean, nicely presented room. Breakfast was great. We had a small leak during a storm, but it didn't affect our stay.

The location is good, with a beautiful beach, bakery, and restaurant within walking distance, as well as other places nearby. The reception area was very well maintained, and the staff were friendly at check-in. The natural pool is a good size for swimming, but the floor and entry steps are extremely slippery, so be careful with children. The hotel might work if location is the priority, but I wouldn't recommend it for relaxation or recreation. We had a Terrace and a Comfort Studio. Both rooms looked modern but weren't functional. Our beds were right by the doors to the outside floor, so every sound carried straight to us, from footsteps, talking, and doors to people running. The walls did nothing to block it, and having dogs there added to the noise. Housekeeping was so loud while cleaning that we couldn't even hear each other talking in the next room. The kitchen had a fridge, microwave, and stove, but hardly enough plates, cups, or glasses for three people, even though the studio was for three. The table was too small for three to eat at. When other people cooked, their kitchen smells seemed to come through the ventilation into our apartment. There was a different cooking smell every day. There was no door or screen on the shower, so the bathroom floor was soaked afterward. Having a separate toilet was good, but on arrival it still seemed dirty and smelled very strong. The shower gel was nearly empty, towels and toilet paper were very limited, and housekeeping service costs extra. The elevator was broken when we arrived, so we had to carry everything up three floors. Reception, the bar, and lounge services were only available until 7 pm.

West Bay was a comfortable, stylish hotel with everything a guest could ask for, and it gave my family some much-needed time to relax after a 1800 km drive across Europe with two very little children. It's only an hour from Calais, making it perfect for a stay before catching the ferry back to the UK.

The natural swimming pool was refreshing, and it was a lovely place to wake up in the morning. We also had a very beautiful room. The parking costs 6€, but you have to leave by midday, so you can't keep your car there until you're ready to go home.