Thalasso Concarneau Spa Marin Resort

The apartment was clean and usable, and the outdoor pool was heated, with some residents swimming. But the buildings feel closer to three stars than the resort’s stated four. Our entrance door was broken and stood open all the time, the carpets were worn and stained with bleach, and the room door needed a hard push to shut. We could hear noise coming through from rooms on every side, so it wasn’t peaceful. The main hotel has a spa, restaurant and bar, though they mostly cater to hotel guests.

The walking routes nearby were a real plus, including a path through a wooded valley and a track into town for walking or cycling. There’s plenty of parking, and the pool was clean and well maintained, with a safety fence around the entrance. The outdoor grass area was pretty coarse, and I didn’t see anyone using it. We ate at the hotel restaurant twice and enjoyed the “Menu Instant”; prices for the menu and wine seemed fair. The staff were pleasant and helpful. The apartment was tidy when we arrived, and the concrete walls and floors kept neighbour noise down. The kitchen had a dishwasher and basic dishes and cutlery, but we bought a corkscrew and an inexpensive kettle at the supermarket. It was warm inside during our sunny stay, so we slept with the window open. Street noise was there but not too bad, though people staying in the hotel might hear more from a nearby bar. I think all the apartments have balconies with a table and chairs. In our building, the north-facing ones got less sun until late afternoon but had a better view. The beach is across the road, and the gap in the buildings beside the Thalasso still leaves a decent view from north- and west-facing apartments. I’d consider the Thalasso Residence again if I came back to Concarneau. Just check the bill at checkout to make sure they’ve used the correct daily rate.

We came back for four summers in a row because we liked the location and the restaurant, both the service and the food. The hotel itself is four stars, but the residence annex feels no better than three. It’s clean, though room service in the annex is appalling. The spa hours have improved, but they’re still unpredictable. The rules for men’s swimwear are odd: you have to wear tight plastic underwear, which made us feel like geeks. There are no loungers by the outdoor pool either, and that really brought down our rating.

We had a great time here. It’s a perfect spot to unwind, the staff are friendly, and all the amenities were very good.