Both fortress-town and seaside resort, Saint-Malo is a granite sculpted pearl, clung to Brittany’s rugged coast, which offers culture and easy beach living by the bucket and spade-full.
A holiday spot for France’s great and good, it’s also home to some excellent hotels. Like many walled cities, however, space is tight, which can hike up prices; fortunately, we at TravelMag have gone the extra mile to find the few places here that still guarantee a delightful stay, but won’t send you home penniless.
ibis Styles Saint-Malo Centre Historique
From €61/ night
They don’t come much more central than this. The ibis Styles Saint-Malo Centre Historique offers everything we’ve come to expect from the hotel chain: clean, modern rooms, and friendly staff. And yet it’s all set among some of the most characterful surroundings of France, with a sea wall on one side and cobbled medieval streets on the other; the rooms at the top of the hotel boast splendid harbour views!
Mercure Saint Malo Balmoral
From €75/ night
Stylish and modern, opposite Saint-Malo train station and less than a kilometre from the beach, this hotel is a perfect spot from which to base an exploration of the town and its surrounding area. Full of the comforts we’ve come to expect from the Mercure chain, it’s both excellently insulated and has AC in all its rooms: useful qualities in the face of Brittany’s famously changeable weather.
L’Hôtel Particulier Ascott
From €89/ night
Located at the mouth of the Rance River, less than five minutes from the beach, this hotel is a picture of stylish class. Located within a 19th Century mansion, it’s the perfect combination of classic French architecture and modern amenities. In the summer there’s also a floral garden to unwind in, ideal for evening cocktails before hitting the town.
Hôtel et Appart’hôtel L’Adresse
From €95/ night
With beach front views, not to mention direct access to the sand, and being less than 300 metres from town, while this hotel may be a little pricier than the others it still offers a remarkable bargain. As well as having WiFi and TVs, the rooms all come with fully equipped kitchenettes, making here ideal for slightly longer stays, for after you’ve visited local markets and want to give cooking Brittany’s stunning produce a go on your own.
Inter-Hôtel du Louvre
From €76.50/ night
Nestled among the beautiful cobbled streets of Saint-Malo’s old town, this modern hotel with classical flourishes is a great place to stay if you want to find yourself truly wrapped-up in the history of the city. By staying here, you’ll be able to experience Saint-Malo when all the day-trip tourists have left, then head back to sound-proofed rooms for as peaceful a rest as you might hope for in the heart of the countryside.