Les Bois Flottais

In a place as ridiculously picturesque as Ile de Ré, it’s difficult to choose whether to stay on the beach or in the village. Hotel Les Bois Flottais offers a happy medium, located midway between the island’s golden beaches and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, with its charming outdoor cafés and lively open-air markets. White stucco and terracotta cottages encircle a pair of outdoor swimming pools, housing guest rooms with vaulted wood ceilings and rustic-chic beach decor in natural hues of ivory, beige, and sky blue. Each is unique; some have wicker armchairs and bathtubs, others have lofted sleeping areas and private patios. A leisurely breakfast is served on the terrace, and later in the day, an onsite bistro specializes in locally sourced products like lobster and oysters. Borrow a bicycle and explore the nearby coastline, then come back to the boutique hotel for a glass of wine — made on the island, of course — by the pool at sunset.