Hotel François 1er Cœur de Ville

There was always something interesting to look at, from the street art throughout the stunning building to the things around the breakfast area and our room. The staff were warm and genuinely helpful, and the bed was firm and super comfortable, just how I like it. Even though we booked the smallest room, it felt spacious. We travelled by bike with luggage, and having a very secure bike storage spot plus a ground-floor luggage room was great. Despite being right in the city center, it was wonderfully peaceful while we were there. If the hotel were fully booked, I imagine more noise might carry from neighboring rooms. Breakfast was fresh, varied, and delicious. I’d happily come back. Highly recommended!

The staff are charming, and it’s very dog friendly and well located. This arty chic hotel has paper-thin walls, so it’s not for insomniacs. Call ahead if you’re driving or need parking, as the city’s closed roads are hard to navigate. I’ve now been back, and I still like it.

The room had a good shower, and the Dyson airblade was a nice touch during the hot July weather at the end of the heatwave. There was no air con. Breakfast was a great buffet, and you could eat outside in a private courtyard if you wanted. This is a beautiful boutique hotel in a lovely building in the Vieux Port district. I got a great discounted rate on a booking site, and the standard prices seemed reasonable too. The staff were helpful and friendly. They let me try out my limited French, then stepped in with their excellent English.

We had a pleasant stay, even though it was just one night. The reception staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were very clean, if a bit dated. The Hotel Francois 1er is well placed in the centre of La Rochel. In summer, air conditioning is badly needed. There are fans in the rooms, but they’re not the same.