Spa and Thalasso Hotels in Saint-Malo

Families heading to Saint-Malo for the beach will find the Grand Hotel de Courtoisville well placed: the renovated Belle Époque villa is a few steps from the Plage du Sillon, so a morning on the sand needs no car. The hotel sits in a green, quiet setting, rooms are bright and calm, and the spa-thalasso centre gives parents some time of their own. Pets are welcome. I would pick it for a relaxed seaside stay rather than an action-packed one.

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.

I would choose Hôtel Le Croiseur Ginette for a family that likes small hotels with a strong personality in central Saint-Malo. The recently renovated building is decorated with Breton crafts and has a distinctly feminine style, which gives older children something to look at beyond a standard room. Beds are comfortable and of high quality. A terrace, a communal lounge and a bar give the family space to gather after a day on the ramparts or the beaches.

The Kyriad Prestige Saint-Malo works well for families who want a fallback for grey Breton days. The indoor pool gives children something to look forward to after the beach, while parents can use the sauna, steam room or hot tub. Family rooms are air-conditioned, the buffet breakfast saves a morning search for a café, and free private parking helps with a loaded car. The walled old town is a drive away rather than a stroll.

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 Hôtel Anne de Bretagne for a stay within the walls of Saint-Malo, close to the marina, the ferry terminal and the exhibition centre. The hotel is pet-friendly and welcomes families. The reception is open around the clock and bar service is available. A spa and thalassotherapy centre is nearby, though not in the hotel itself, so I treat it as a possible extra.

Hôtel Oré stands at the entrance to Saint-Malo and offers family rooms for up to six people, rare enough that I would point large families straight to it. The breakfast buffet uses local and homemade products, and the garden and terrace give children space outdoors. Parents get a wellness area with a sauna and a Nordic bath, plus a bar. Guests rate this four-star hotel 8.8 across 2,160 reviews.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.