Westotel le Pouliguen-La Baule

Everything was great apart from the swimming pool water, which could have been cleaner.

Constantin at reception was especially welcoming, and his tips about nice beaches in the Region were invaluable. The staff in general were friendly too. We loved Le Pouliguen and will definitely come back, and Westotel made for a comfortable stay. The hotel seems fairly new and was very clean and comfortable. It’s about a five-minute walk along the pier into town, which made it a handy base for visiting Le Pouligen. The pool was much smaller than you’d expect in a hotel this size. With four or five people in it, swimming wasn’t really possible, and it was mostly used by kids. Still, it was great when empty. Breakfast was a little bland and limited for a four-star hotel of this size.

We booked a night with our kids, who are around 10, because the hotel offered a large room with a double bed and a sofa bed, plus a rooftop pool. The pool isn’t large, but the clever cupola can be opened or closed depending on the weather. There’s also a large free parking area behind the hotel. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the beach along the river and harbor. The hotel is newly built, fairly large, and somewhat upscale.

The check-out was a terrible experience. The woman at the front desk seemed neither professional nor understanding, and customer service clearly wasn’t her priority. We left frustrated, even though the stay was otherwise acceptable. At check-in things were okay, but we didn’t get the room we expected, which was supposed to have a balcony. We had to pay extra for a balcony overlooking the parking lot, which felt pretty ridiculous. The rooms were okay and clean, and the cleaning team was very nice and professional. Parking felt safe, and the location was good, though you really need a car to reach La Baule beach, a shop or restaurant, or Guerande. To me, this is more of a three-star hotel than a four-star one. It could use some refurbishment, especially newer beds, since the ones there felt old and uncomfortable. Some staff could also use training in customer service.