Grand Hôtel des Thermes

At first glance, the Grand Hôtel des Thermes is the archetypal French seaside luxury hotel — an impressive Belle Époque edifice fronting a long stretch of beach. But unlike the grand hotels of the Côte d’Azur, this one’s got no oceanfront boulevard, no built-up beach club, nothing but sand and sea. This is the Atlantic coast of Brittany, a classic destination that’s nevertheless avoided the fate of a place like Cannes — which means that the Grand Hôtel des Thermes still feels like a proper escape.

Though its silhouette remains as classic as ever, its interiors have seen substantial updates, bringing them entirely up to date. The look is still historically informed, with references going back to Art Deco and beyond, but this is every inch a modern luxury hotel. You’ll find some extremely cozy rooms — the European tradition of the single room is alive and well — but you’ll find expansive spaces as well. Some face the city, but the best views, naturally, are those that look out over the beach.

As you’d expect, given the name, thermal baths feature prominently in the spa’s offerings. There’s also a saltwater pool and a “parcours aquatonic,” a sort of aquatic maze that applies a succession of jets, currents, and showers as you traverse it. Three restaurants and a piano bar round out the hotel’s offerings with enough variety that you needn’t leave the property; Saint-Malo, however, is irresistible, its walled city just a short walk from your door.