Hotel Club Bon Séjour La Plage

The location was great, and the covered pool was ok. We couldn't use the outdoor pool with slides though, it was unheated and freezing in August. The mini golf was run down and shouldn't really be advertised. Our two bed suite had no facilities for making drinks, and the price felt very high for a room without breakfast. We didn't eat at the hotel because the menu didn't seem very child friendly, with only one option and no choice. The nearby restaurants were great, and we got breakfast from the boulongerie, which was perfect.

The restaurant served a reasonable four course French dinner, including a cheeseboard and wine, for €25. The hotel also has comfortable rooms, good service, parking, a spacious lounge, and indoor and outdoor pools. It's beside a huge beach, close to the small centre of Merville, and a 10 minute drive from Cabourg. One thing to bear in mind: everyone in our group who used the indoor pool later had a cough and chest infection. It may not have been related.

The hotel had a mini disco and pool table with music, so there was some entertainment at night. But the rooms felt cramped and unsafe, especially the bunk beds, which seemed ready to fall. The beds were uncomfortable, and the place looked nothing like the photos. It was scruffy too, and would feel cramped for a big family. Most of us hardly ate the food. It seemed uncooked, and the chicken tasted like what we thought might be rabbit or horse meat. The wifi barely worked, and even when it connected, nothing loaded. They also didn't provide towels or soap.

The location made it easy to get to the sea, and there was direct access to the ocean. The hotel is in the heart of Normandy, about 2 hours from central Paris. I stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights on a school trip, and it was one of my best school trips. You can swim, go down to the beach, join the nightly disco in the social room, try the mini golf course with miniature Normandy landmarks, or have coffee, tea, or Coca-Cola at the café. Pool use costs €50 because a lifeguard has to be there in case of accidents. The staff were friendly, polite, and happy to answer questions or help with problems in English or French. The rooms were surprisingly comfortable for 3-4 children, with an en-suite shower, toilet and sink, plus a TV and safe included in the price. Meals were included too. You need to bring your own bathroom linen and soap. Only one side of the hotel has a sea view. The other looks onto someone's estate, which I found a little uncomfortable. Breakfast was a self serve continental spread with cold meats, plain yoghurt, fruit, boiled eggs, toast, cereals, and more. For lunch, you made your own baguette and could choose fillings like cheese, tomato, cold meat, or salad. Dinner came with a starter, main and dessert. They could make a plan for people who were lactose intolerant, gluten free, or had allergies. I found a few hairs in my food, which was disappointing, but otherwise the meals were delicious. It was welcoming and good value, with excellent rooms, service and activities. I'd highly recommend it as a 5 out of 5. Thank you for an amazing stay.