La Baule-Escoublac, France
Hotel Barrière Le Royal La Baule
Waterfront Wonder
What it is
A fanciful 1896 grande dame with 87 charming yet airy rooms, a Thalasso spa and two saltwater pools, a high-tech wellness center, and nine divine bars and restaurants.
What it isn't
Just for grown ups. Little ones are Pampered with a capital P here, thanks to a children’s club for ages 10 weeks up to five on-site, and an art studio for 4-12 year olds at the nearby sister property, Hôtel L'Hermitage.
What we think
Each and every guest room option feels indulgent here, beginning with the Superior Room: a 215 square foot den of elegance with creamy intricate woodwork, sumptuous furnishings (including cloud-soft carpeting underfoot), and perfect lighting design (note the bedside lamps and reading lamps available at the push of a button. We love the Deluxe Sea View Rooms for their private balconies that peer out on the water, and the Deluxe Sea View Suite: it’s fitted with two bathrooms, a separate lounge, and a nearly 600 square foot floor plan. Don’t miss a few spa treatments while you’re here: they’ve perfected some very “now” treatments, including facial cryotherapy and platinum hydrafacials.
You're here because
You like to check in and mentally check-out, so the hotel’s myriad dining and drinking options are a boon—from the seaside L’Eden Beach to the poolside piano bar, Royal’s.
The Moment
Swinging in an actual swing at Le Ponton, the hotel’s wellness-oriented restaurant on the sand, you do feel healthier. But you’re not sure if it’s the octopus salad you’re tucking into or the salty sea breeze dancing in your hair.
Restaurants & Bars
Le Ponton - beach deck dining offering small plates, cocktails and dishes to share
Le Fouquet's La Baule - Enjoy classic French cuisine alongside Breton specialties
Le Bar - English club atmosphere opening out to a terrace
Location
Adjacent to the sandy beach on the Bay of Biscay, just an hour’s drive from Nantes Atlantique Airport. The famed Casino Barrière La Baule is merely three minutes stroll away from the hotel.