Hôtel Les Brises

The hotel is clean, and the staff were efficient and helpful. The bay views are spectacular, though the restaurants are a little way into town. Breakfast was an OK buffet, but I thought it was expensive for what it was, and the meat could have been covered. Parking and tourist tax are also paid at the hotel, which adds to the total cost, so keep those charges in mind when booking.

We found the hotel a great base for exploring and would come back in years to come. The rooms were very comfortable, and the food and welcome were wonderful. Our south-facing room did get noticeably hot without air conditioning, though after writing this in rainy England, I’d take that warmth again. Les Brises is about one kilometre west of the main beach in La Rochelle along the coastal path, so visiting the old town or marina means plenty of walking. That suited us, and Google Maps made getting around easy. The hotel was clean and tidy, the reception staff were very helpful, and when our toilet had a problem they apologized and got the offending article fixed quickly.

Our room was small but clean and nicely decorated. The balcony doors opened wide, so we could enjoy the fresh air and look out at the water. It was a beautiful view. We walked to the port each day and back in the evening. It took about 20-25 minutes, but the route along the water or through parks was easy and enjoyable. If walking isn’t for you, there are taxis, Uber, or a Yelo bike stand a few minutes away. Breakfast cost 13 euros and hit the spot: pastries, coffee and tea, fresh juice, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, cereal, meat and cheese, and jams.

The location was quiet, with the main town close enough for a drive or a nice walk along the seaside. The hotel sits just off the main road into La Rochelle, right by the water. We had a seaside room with an unobstructed view, though the rooms are very small and ours was just enough for one night. The service was great, and breakfast was reasonably priced. I’d recommend it.