Brit Hotel Le Surcouf

Breakfast was fresh and plentiful, and the staff were really friendly. I loved staying here. The room was nice and clean, the bed comfy, and the bathroom just the right size. I’d definitely come back.

The husband and wife who manage the Brit Hotel Le Surcouf made our stay especially nice. They were gracious, friendly and helpful with directions and recommendations, and spoke English pretty well. The hotel is close to stores and restaurants, and the walled city is less than half a mile away. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting St. Malo and hope to stay again next year. My husband and I first stayed there on 4 Feb, 2013, and liked it so much we booked it again for our last night in France. Our room was quiet and very clean, with a flat screen TV that picked up both BBC and USA-Today. The bathroom was spotless, warm and had plenty of fresh towels.

I came to Saint Malo for a quick, relaxing getaway, but the stay badly spoiled my weekend. At night there’s no security other than a thin glass door, and no person watching the property from around 8:30pm. The room smelled musty and mildewy, so I left the window open while I was out during the day, which made me nervous given the lack of security. Part of one wall had been poorly painted a different color, making the room look neglected and shabby. The TV only worked on two channels, neither of them the local ones I needed for a proper weather report. The only amenity was shower gel, with no drinking water or individual hand soap. The toilet paper came in tiny separate sheets, and the seat wouldn’t stay up unless you held it. The walls are incredibly thin. Twice, the sound of a key going into the next room’s door was so loud that I thought someone was trying to get into mine. Both mornings I was woken by people walking along the hall and opening doors. Breakfast was ridiculously expensive for what was offered. Forty-five minutes before the time slot ended, there was practically nothing left, even though only one couple was eating when I arrived. It wasn’t as if they were too busy to keep fresh fruit, milk and bread available. I’d suggest Maison Malécot bakery two minutes away instead. It has a nice eating area and a generous breakfast for 10 euros: two huge pieces of fresh country bread, a wide selection of viennoiserie, fresh jam, freshly squeezed orange juice, tea or coffee. Delicious. There are plenty of other properly run 3-star hotels in Saint Malo, with good service and amenities. I don’t think this place is worth it, even if you have to pay a little more elsewhere. About the director’s reply: There was a booking problem, which I immediately explained was caused by Booking.com. The director refused to seek any compensation from them and charged my card days after I’d left, despite my refusal. But my comments about the hotel have nothing to do with his lack of understanding or customer service. I find it incredibly distressing that the director of a supposed 3-star hotel would laugh at constructive criticism instead of taking note of the lack of security, poor upkeep, awful room conditions and paper-thin walls. This is simply the opinion of someone who travels constantly and had never left a poor comment for any hotel on any platform before.

I only stayed one night, but the place felt really cozy. The neighborhood is lovely, with the sea incredibly close and adorable houses all around. And the breakfast was amazing!