Stays in La Rochelle

Le Saint-Nicolas sits in La Rochelle's Saint-Nicolas district, among antique shops, cafés and bars, a short stroll from the harbour. Rooms are air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is served in a conservatory, a bright start to the day with children. The Vieux-Port, the towers and the aquarium are all within easy reach on foot, which makes a car unnecessary. The bar gives parents a moment in the evening.

For a family in La Rochelle, Le Masq balances two wishes: the Vieux Port and its towers are a short walk away, and back at the hotel there is a spa and thalasso area for the adults. Rooms and suites are contemporary, air-conditioned and hung with original artwork, which gives older children something to look at. The buffet breakfast and lounge bar make slow mornings and evenings easy. A score of 9.1 across 1,813 reviews is among the strongest in town.

Maison des Ambassadeurs is a five-star address in an 18th-century building in central La Rochelle, and I would recommend it to families who want a refined stay. It offers high-end rooms and suites, a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. A piano bar, a terrace and an outdoor dipping pool complete the picture. The Old Harbour is a five-minute walk, while the Aquarium and beach are 1.5 km away. Pets are welcome.

Set in a 17th-century building by La Rochelle's old harbour, Hôtel La Monnaie Arty & Spa fills its spaces with contemporary art that older children often enjoy spotting. Rooms are air-conditioned with tea and coffee facilities, and look onto a quiet courtyard or the old city fortifications. Breakfast can be taken in several settings, and the wellness centre is available on request. On-site parking is limited, so book it ahead.

Hôtel Les Brises sits on the La Rochelle seafront with panoramic views of the sea and the islands, a view children enjoy as much as adults. It is family-friendly and pet-friendly, so the family dog can come too. The large sea-side terrace is a good place to sit together, and the spa is a treat for parents. The old port is about 2 km away, a pleasant walk or a short ride. No pool is mentioned, so the sea and the town provide the activities.

I would pick Un Hôtel En Ville for a couple or a small family who wants to sleep in the historic Vieux Port quarter of La Rochelle. This boutique hotel has contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, soundproofing, a private bathroom and free WiFi. Some rooms have terraces overlooking the Tour de la Lanterne. Gourmet restaurants are close by, so evenings out are easy.

I would recommend Les Studios du Chemins Vert to families who want a modern, recently renovated apartment in La Rochelle. Each unit has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a terrace or balcony with garden views. There is a washing machine, free WiFi, a sun terrace and a garden. The property also offers yoga and fitness classes, walking and cycling tours and concierge services.

Villa Grand Voile - Christopher Coutanceau in La Rochelle has family rooms with air-conditioning and free WiFi, and a family-friendly restaurant serving French, seafood and local dishes. The seasonal outdoor swimming pool is the main draw for children in the warmer months, and the terrace gives space outside. Parents can use the fitness centre and the bar. Bicycle parking suits families who explore La Rochelle by bike, and pets are welcome. No kids' club or play area is listed.

BW Plus Central Park Hotel & Spa is a four-star hotel that I would shortlist for a family trip to La Rochelle. A short walk takes you to the city centre, the beach and the Old Harbour. The wellness centre has a gym, hot tubs, a sauna and a hammam, and some suites offer a terrace and hot tub. The hotel follows eco-friendly practices and welcomes pets, so the whole family fits in.

The outdoor pool and its large terrace are what I like most here for families, a real asset after a day walking the quays of La Rochelle. The panoramic restaurant looks over the Old Port and its famous towers, so even dinner becomes part of the visit. Breakfast and the menu lean on fresh local seafood. The hotel accepts pets, and its rating of 8.8 from more than 1,700 reviews tells me guests leave satisfied.

Le Yachtman sits right on the Old Port of La Rochelle, so families step out straight onto the quays, the towers and the historic centre. The hotel has been fully renovated, and parking is available, which is rare this close to the harbour. Breakfast is a buffet featuring local produce, a good way to start a day of walking. Pets are welcome, and with almost 700 reviews averaging 8.7, guests are clearly pleased with the setting and the service.

Facing Parc Charruyer and five minutes on foot from the Old Port, Le Champlain combines green space and a central address. Children can stretch their legs in the park or the hotel's own gardens, while parents appreciate the spa and wellness centre. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi, which matters when a family shares one room. Reception is open 24 hours, pets are welcome, and more than 1,300 reviews average 8.7.

Few family bases in La Rochelle are as well placed: this hotel stands on the historic harbour, a short walk from the old town, the beach and the main sights, including the aquarium. Rooms are air-conditioned and en suite, with free Wi-Fi, which makes summer nights comfortable. Pets are welcome. Day trips to the islands of Ré and Oléron are easy from here, a good way to add beaches and cycling to a city stay.

I would pick Hôtel de l'Océan for a stay where the harbour itself is the attraction. The building dates from 1646 and stands on La Rochelle's Old Port. Rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned with free WiFi, and some look over the harbour and the Bay of Biscay. A continental breakfast can be taken on the outdoor terrace, and the boat shuttles for the islands are close by, which suits children who want a day on the water.

About 1 km from both the old harbour and the train station, the Kyriad La Rochelle Centre Ville is easy to reach with children and luggage. Its 45 rooms are modern and fully equipped, with satellite TV, and some are adapted for disabled guests. The enclosed car park is a real plus in a city where parking near the port is hard to find, and Wi-Fi is available. With more than 3,400 reviews averaging 8.5, guests clearly find it reliable.

Industrial charm and baroque touches give Hôtel La Fabrique a look unlike the chain hotels nearby. It sits in the historic centre of La Rochelle, close to the old port, restaurants and bars, so families can walk almost everywhere. Rooms are cosy, air-conditioned and fitted with high-end French bedding, TV and Wi-Fi. Reception is open 24 hours and pets are accepted. Paid parking is nearby, and the rating of 8.5 from over 2,200 reviews is reassuring.

Hotel La Marine sits right on the Old Port of La Rochelle, facing the medieval towers, and I recommend it to families who want the waterfront on the doorstep. Rooms are non-smoking, some with port views and others over a quiet, flowered courtyard, a better choice if children sleep early. Breakfast is served in the room. The aquarium is within easy reach, boats to the islands and Fort Boyard leave a short walk away, and pets are accepted.

Hôtel Atlantic is 50 metres from the Vieux Port, with the beach and the Cours des Dames a few steps away, so families can do most of La Rochelle on foot. Family rooms are available, all rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and many look onto the garden rather than the street. Pets are accepted, which helps if the dog comes too. I would pick it for a short family break where the car stays parked and the SNCF station is a 15-minute walk.

Set in the Vieux Port district, right in the centre of La Rochelle, this ibis lets families reach the harbour and its towers without a car. Rooms are air-conditioned, some are adapted for guests with reduced mobility, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The daily buffet breakfast offers both sweet and savoury choices, which suits fussy young eaters. The bar is welcoming in the evening, and a rating of 8.5 from over 1,000 reviews is good for a simple hotel.

Novotel La Rochelle Centre is a 10-minute walk from the Old Town and has an outdoor swimming pool, which I find a real plus for families in summer. Rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned with free WiFi, so children sleep well. The restaurant serves regional cuisine, a café opens onto a garden terrace, and there is a hotel bar. Free private parking is a welcome bonus so close to the centre, and pets are welcome.

CENTRAL Hôtel La Rochelle Centre has family rooms with kitchenettes, which lets a family prepare breakfasts and snacks at its own pace. It sits in the city centre, less than 1 km from Concurrence Beach, so a morning on the sand and an afternoon in town are both easy on foot. The on-site restaurant serves French cuisine when you would rather not cook, and the sun terrace gives a place to rest. WiFi is free. No pool is mentioned.

I would pick Accostage Hôtel for a seaside stay in La Rochelle that does not need to be grand. It stands 100 metres from La Concurrence Beach and The Mail Promenade. The en suite rooms have modern decor, an LCD TV and free WiFi, and the rooms are soundproofed. A common lounge is open to guests, and bicycles can be rented on site, which suits a family who wants to explore the city on two wheels.

Hotel François 1er Cœur de Ville puts families within walking distance of La Rochelle's Grosse Horloge, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the train station and Concurrence Beach, so a stay can work without a car. Rooms have a private bathroom, a tea and coffee maker, a workspace and free WiFi. The continental buffet breakfast includes pancakes, pastries, cheese and fruit, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Pets are welcome.

ibis Styles La Rochelle Centre Vieux Port is in the city centre, just 300 metres from Plage de la Concurrence, and I like it for families who want the beach, the Old Port and the island boats all within walking distance. Rooms are air-conditioned with a flat-screen TV, and WiFi is free. The buffet breakfast includes fresh pastries and fair-trade coffee. The reception is open 24 hours, there is a bar, and pets are welcome.

Hôtel Le Bord'O Vieux Port occupies an 18th-century building on a pedestrian street 30 metres from La Rochelle's Old Port, and I recommend it to families who want to do everything on foot. The station, the Aquarium and the Conference Centre are all within walking distance. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, and the buffet breakfast moves out to the terrace in summer. Parking is public and paid, nearby, so families arriving by car should plan for it.

A seasonal outdoor pool is a real bonus for families at this level, and it makes a summer stay in La Rochelle easier with children. Rooms are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms and balconies, and a continental buffet breakfast is served daily. The sun terrace and bar give parents a moment to sit down, and bicycle parking suits families who explore the flat old town by bike. Pets are accepted, and the reception is open 24 hours.

ATHOME Residence et Spa offers aparthotel units with kitchenettes in La Rochelle, and for a family that wants to prepare its own meals I would consider it a practical base. Units look over the garden or the city, and the sun terrace and garden give children room outside. Bicycle parking suits families cycling around town, housekeeping is daily and pets are accepted. Parents can use the fitness room and bar. An 8.3 score over more than 2,500 reviews is reassuring.