Stays in Dunkerque

LOGIS Hôtel Borel stands directly opposite the harbour in central Dunkerque, so children can watch the boats from the doorstep. Its 48 rooms sleep from one to four people, which means many families can share a single room. Internet access is free, and parents can use the fitness room and the relaxation area after a day out. The city centre is right there for meals and walks. I would book a four-person room for a short family stay by the water.

Hôtel Merveilleux Côté Mer stands directly on the Dunkerque seafront, with access to a private beach area, and I recommend it to families who want the sand a few steps from the room. Rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned, with free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. The sun terrace looks over the North Sea, there is a bar and a coffee shop for breaks, and pets are accepted. The LAAC contemporary art museum is also close by.

Best Western Plus Hotel Cargo is a modern four-star hotel in central Dunkerque, within walking distance of the station, and I recommend it to families on longer stays thanks to its guest laundry. Rooms are en suite, with a flat-screen TV, a desk and free WiFi, all served by a lift. Breakfast is a buffet or brought to the room, the reception is open 24 hours, and the beach at Malo-les-Bains is a short drive away.

The Radisson Blu Grand Hotel & Spa sits right on the beach at Malo-les-Bains, and for a family seaside break in Dunkirk it is the address I would choose. The indoor pool with sea views works whatever the weather on the North Sea, and some rooms have balconies facing the water. Rooms are air-conditioned and the restaurant serves French cuisine. With 8.7 over more than 3,000 reviews, guests clearly rate it highly.

I would recommend the Mercure Dunkerque Centre Gare to families who want rooms sized for a group and an easy arrival by train. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Dunkerque station, and its family rooms have private bathrooms. A fitness centre, a sun terrace, a bar and outdoor seating are available, and the continental buffet breakfast is served each day. The front desk is open 24 hours, there is electric vehicle charging, and pets are welcome.

DUNKE is an adults-only aparthotel, so families with children will need to look elsewhere in Dunkerque. For couples and adult groups, each unit has a fully equipped kitchenette, a private bathroom and city views, with soundproofing for a quiet night. The front desk is open 24 hours and WiFi is free. The train station is less than a kilometre away, which makes it easy to arrive without a car. I would keep it for an adults-only city stay.

La Cabane De Pol offers family rooms with kitchenettes and a dining area, so a family can prepare breakfasts and simple meals in Dunkerque. Soundproofing helps children sleep, and the TV keeps quiet evenings easy. Dunkerque train station is less than 1 km away, practical when arriving by train. The Dunkirk Harbour Museum is close, a good outing for children who like boats. It is a simple aparthotel without a pool or restaurant, so plan meals in town or in your room.

ibis Dunkerque is about 3 kilometres from the Malo-les-Bains seafront and 1.5 kilometres from the train station, a location that works best for families with a car or happy to take a short ride to the beach. Rooms have parquet floors, private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs, and the buffet breakfast gives children plenty of choice. The reception is open 24 hours, WiFi is free and pets are accepted. I would use it as a practical base between the beach and the town.

I would consider Hôtel Jolly Roger for families who like a lively, informal hotel in Dunkirk. Family rooms have private bathrooms, tea and coffee makers and free WiFi. The hotel has a bar, a coffee shop, a games room and live music. It stands on a quiet street, a 15-minute walk from Plage Malo-les-Bains and near the local art museums and an ice-skating rink.

Hôtel Restaurant l'Hirondelle is a two-star close to both the beach and the town centre in Dunkerque, so families can alternate seaside walks and town outings without a car. Its restaurant serves regional cuisine and seafood, convenient for dinner after a long day, and there is a bar for parents. Free Wi-Fi is included. Nearby, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a golf course and a casino offer extra activities. I would book it for a simple family seaside weekend.

I would consider Les Chambres du Waterzooi for families who want a simple base among Dunkirk's historic sights. Rooms have private bathrooms and free WiFi. There is an on-site restaurant and a buffet breakfast. The Dunkirk Harbour Museum and the Belfry of Saint-Eloi's Church are close, so the first outings are short walks, which suits a family with younger children.

B&B HOTEL Dunkerque Centre Gare is 45 metres from the train station in the city centre, which makes arriving by rail with children very simple. Rooms are modern and plainly decorated, with a flat-screen TV, a private shower and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is served every morning, and many restaurants are within walking distance for dinner. The beach at Malo-les-Bains is 2 km away. The reception is open 24 hours and pets are accepted. Guests rate it 8.0.

La Chapelle du Quai is described as ideal for families, and the layout supports it: each unit has one bedroom, a separate living room and a fully equipped kitchen, so children can sleep while parents stay up. Cooking your own meals takes pressure off a longer stay. Dunkerque train station is close, which makes arriving by train with luggage and children easy. It is a self-catering address with free WiFi and no hotel services, so expect independence rather than a reception desk.

Standing on the Dunkerque waterfront, All Suites Appart Hotel offers apartments with harbour or city views, a pleasant backdrop for a family stay. Each unit has a kitchenette, a dining area and a private bathroom, so meals can be taken at your own pace, and a buffet breakfast is available too. Laundry facilities help on longer trips. The train station is a 10-minute walk away and the beach a short drive. More than 5,600 reviews average 7.8, and pets are accepted.

Many rooms at Hôtel Les Gens De Mer look over one of Dunkerque's ports, and watching the boats is an easy way to keep children busy. The hotel is a few steps from the city centre and less than 10 minutes from Malo-les-Bains beach, which makes it simple to mix town and sand in one day. Rooms are contemporary and en suite, with free WiFi. Pets are accepted. The 7.5 score suggests a simple stay rather than a polished one.