La Baronnie

In 1785, King Louis XVI bought a gift for his wife, Marie-Antoinette: a mansion built on the ruins of a 13th-century castle on Île de Ré, an island off the west coast of France. Today, that mansion is La Baronnie Hôtel & Spa, a boutique hotel with all the elegance of days gone by — grand staircases, period woodwork, velvet sofas, an old stone fireplace, decorative toile drapery, cobblestoned courtyards perfumed with lavender and jasmine — plus a sun-drenched Cinq Mondes spa and a cozy cocktail bar.

Guest rooms are simple and elegant, with wood-beamed ceilings and antique furnishings. Though all share a unified aesthetic, each one is different, and not just in the finer details — they range from relatively conventional historical bedrooms to the Tour des Amis, a tower room in the original structure, and the Indian Lodge, a free-standing cabin constructed from salvaged 18th-century timber.

The gardens offer plentiful space for lounging, and make a fine venue for an evening cocktail; a heated outdoor pool is available from May through October. There’s a generous daily breakfast, served family-style on the sunny terrace, and while there’s no restaurant, the bar serves light bites, and the hotel is perfectly located for exploring the charming island capital of Saint-Martin-de-Ré on foot.

Booking Details: La Baronnie requires additional information from guests to ensure the best stay possible. As such, reservations can only be confirmed through our customer service team. Contact us for assistance. Rates begin at 210 EUR per night.