A sprawling coastal fort dating back to the 17th century has been transformed into this characterful yet comfortable hotel, part of the Relais & Châteaux chain. Some rooms have a balcony and all have a jacuzzi; complimentary foreign newspapers and bikes for guests’ use are among the many services on offer.
The only drawback is that the fort’s thick walls mean Wi-Fi is only accessible in the common areas. These include a cosy reading room and a large inner patio that’s covered in winter and open in summer. The Michelin-starred restaurant, serving French-influenced food, is now overseen by chef Vincent Farges; its wine cellar is arguably the best of any restaurant in the country. The dining room has views of the Atlantic and the beaches on either side; breakfast is taken in this same gorgeous setting.