Seaside Hotels in Saint-Malo, Brittany

I would book Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde for a family that wants the beach on the doorstep and the walled town within walking distance. The hotel is on the Saint-Malo beachfront, and its spa has an indoor pool and a hammam for days when the sea is too cold. Rooms are spacious and soundproofed, with town or sea views. The restaurant looks out over the water, and pets are accepted.

Hôtel La Villefromoy is an elegant mansion by the sea in a residential district of Saint-Malo, with just 26 rooms, which keeps the atmosphere calm. Rooms have free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, minibars and hot drink facilities. The garden and terrace give children space outside, while parents can relax in the lounge bar. Pets are welcome for an extra charge. Guests rate this four-star 8.9 out of 10 across nearly 1,800 reviews, an excellent score.

I would choose Manoir du Cunningham for a seafront stay in Saint-Malo, a short walk from the Old Town. The 17th-century manor has spacious rooms and suites, many with a private terrace or balcony overlooking the marina and the Île de Cézembre. Free Wi-Fi is included, and the ferry terminal and local attractions are easy to reach. Pets and families are welcome.

Hôtel Les Charmettes stands directly on the Saint-Malo seafront, with immediate access to the beach and a beach bar, so a day of sandcastles needs no planning. Rooms have a nautical theme, private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Some come with a balcony over the sea, others look onto the courtyard, so ask for the view you prefer. A continental breakfast is served and the restaurant cooks traditional seafood.

Direct access to the Plage du Sillon is what families will value most at Résidence Neptunia: the sand is right outside, and each apartment has a kitchenette for simple meals. When the weather turns, the indoor pool keeps children busy, while parents can use the sauna, hammam and solarium. An on-site restaurant and bar save a trip out in the evening. Pets are accepted. I would book it for a self-catering family week by the sea in Saint-Malo.

Logis Hôtel la Grassinais is a 10-minute drive from the beaches of Saint-Malo and the walled Intra-Muros, so it suits families who travel by car and want a calmer base. Free private parking makes coming and going easy. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, satellite TV and free WiFi, a breakfast buffet is served each day and pets are welcome on trips along the Emerald Coast.

Ar Iniz is the Saint-Malo hotel I would suggest to families who want the beach right outside: it has direct access to the Sillon Beach, so buckets and spades need no car. The terrace has sea views, the regional restaurant saves a search for dinner, and a buffet breakfast starts the day. Bicycle rental makes the 1.5 km ride to the walled city an easy outing with older children. Rooms are modern with free WiFi.

Oceania Saint Malo faces the sea on the Chaussée du Sillon, near Sillon Beach and the marina, so the sand is only a short walk from the room. Guests get complimentary access to the swimming pool and the spa area, and an open-air hot tub sits on the panoramic sea-view terrace. Rooms are air-conditioned, with parquet floors, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Pets are accepted, a real help for families travelling with a dog.

I would choose Résidence Reine Marine for a family stay by the sea in Saint-Malo. This four-star residence has direct beach access and panoramic views of the islands and the bay. A spa and a thalassotherapy centre are on site, and a golf club is accessible. The residence is pet-friendly, which makes it easy for a family with a dog, and the setting suits long walks along the shore.

Hôtel La Porte Saint Pierre sits inside the ramparts of Saint-Malo, about ten metres from the beach, so children can go from the room to the sand in a couple of minutes and walk the walls afterwards. Rooms are contemporary, with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles and private bathrooms, and some have panoramic sea views worth asking for. A buffet breakfast is served each morning, families are welcome and pets are accepted.

Facing the beach of the Sillon and next to the port, Hôtel Alba lets families step from the room onto the sand, which I see as its main appeal with children. Rooms with sea views are available, a memorable detail for a short coastal break. The tea room and bar give a calm spot when the weather turns, a buffet breakfast is served each morning, and the 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals. Wi-Fi is free.

Directly on the Saint-Malo seafront, the ibis Saint Malo Plage puts the beach steps from the door, which I see as the strongest argument for families with young children. Rooms with sea views are available, and the south-facing garden gives a sheltered spot to sit after a windy day on the sand. The historic walled town and the train station are both a short walk away, so a car is not essential. Pets are welcome.

I would pick the Grand Hôtel des Thermes for a family that wants the beach and a pool in the same stay, since the hotel stands directly on the Saint-Malo seafront. The indoor swimming pool is a useful fallback when the Breton weather turns, and the spa and fitness centre let parents take turns. Some of the refined rooms have balconies and sea views, which are worth requesting. The Cap Horn restaurant serves meals facing the sea, so dinner needs no planning.