City Apartment Stays in Deauville, near Les Planches

Hôtel Le Patio is a small family hotel with 12 individually decorated rooms, five minutes from central Deauville and close to the beach, the casino and the racecourse. Breakfast is served on the green patio in summer, a calm start before heading to the sand with children. Wi-Fi is free throughout. With so few rooms, I recommend booking early for school holidays and choosing it for a quiet family weekend rather than a resort-style stay.

Le Studio de Deauville Plage is described as ideal for families and pet owners, and the set-up supports that: each unit has a kitchenette, a dining area and a sofa bed, so a small family can share one space and cook simple meals. Deauville Beach is a short walk away, which makes beach days with children easy without the car. The garden and terrace add room outside, and the dog can come along. Expect a compact studio rather than a large apartment.

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy is a five-star in the Anglo-Norman style typical of Deauville, with individually decorated rooms, satellite TV and private bathrooms. Families can eat in the restaurant or on the terrace overlooking the private garden, a pleasant spot for children on a fine day. Parents can use the spa for an hour or two. Pets are welcome, which makes it practical for a family arriving with a dog. More than 570 reviews give it 8.7.

Hôtel de la Côte Fleurie is a small, characterful hotel in central Deauville, with stained-glass windows and individually decorated rooms, and I like it for families who prefer charm to a chain. Some rooms have a private balcony over the flowery garden. Breakfast includes locally made jams and can be taken in the breakfast room, in your room or, in summer, in the inner courtyard. The casino, racecourse, marina and the Planches are within walking distance.

ibis Styles Deauville Centre puts the beach, the casino, the racecourse and the famous Planches within easy reach, which suits families who want to do everything on foot. All 74 rooms are served by a lift, and family rooms are available. Breakfast is a buffet served in the breakfast room or on the patio, and snacks are available at the bar around the clock. There is also a fitness room, and pets are welcome.

Villa Augeval occupies two manor houses in central Deauville, between Les Planches promenade and the Deauville-La Touques racecourse. The seasonal heated outdoor pool and the flowered garden with deckchairs give families space to rest between the beach and town. Parents can book massages at the spa. Rooms are individually decorated, some with a balcony or a view of the stud farm. I recommend it to families who want a smaller hotel with a pool within reach of the beach.

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Presqu'île de la Touques is a five-star apartment residence 1 km from the Promenade des Planches in Deauville, and I recommend it to families who want pools whatever the weather: there is both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchenette and a private bathroom, some with a dining area or a balcony. Beds are made on arrival, the landscaped garden gives children space, and pets are welcome.

Almoria Hôtel & SPA is a design hotel in central Deauville, a short walk from both the station and the beach, and I like it for families arriving by train. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, and many have a bathtub, useful for small children. Breakfast is served in your room or as a buffet on the shaded patio. There is a bar with a billiards table, and parents can book the spa, sauna and wellness centre for an extra fee.

Le Trophée and La Loggia combine a boutique hotel and an apart-hotel in central Deauville, 130 metres from the casino and 450 metres from the beach. The seasonal heated outdoor pool is the draw for children, while parents have a 130 m² sauna and a steam bath. Rooms have a seating area, a minibar and satellite TV, and some include a spa bath. Pets are accepted. I recommend it to families who want a pool and the beach within walking distance.

Les Embruns sits in a garden 400 metres from the Deauville beach, which makes it easy to walk down with children and buckets. The studios have an equipped kitchen, so I would book it for families who prefer cooking their own meals, and each comes with a TV and a furnished balcony or terrace. The centre is about 1 km away. Pets are welcome, which helps if the family dog travels with you.