Le Champlain

The hotel's prime location near attractions and amenities, spacious and comfortable rooms, exceptional service, and delicious breakfast receive consistent praise. Some guests appreciate the ongoing expansion of facilities.

This charming boutique hotel seamlessly combines historic glamour with modern comfort, nestled in a beautifully restored 17th-century convent just steps from Place de Verdun in the heart of La Rochelle. Its prime location offers convenient access to the city’s top attractions and public transport, all within a safe, flat, and walkable area that remains impressively tranquil despite being in the city centre. The hotel exudes a distinctive ambiance, boasting high-ceilinged rooms and a chic bar featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of premium wines and spirits, including the region’s very drinkable Pineau des Charentes. However, while the bar is visually appealing, it surprisingly lacks atmosphere and is often very quiet. Guests can expect professional and helpful service from the reception team, and the breakfast, especially the scrambled eggs, is an enjoyable start to a busy day. That said, service on busy mornings, particularly at weekends, could benefit from some fine-tuning. For dining nearby, the literary-themed Café de la Paix provides an authentic brasserie experience, while Arco, an upscale fine-dining restaurant further along the medieval arcaded street, offers a more refined option. Additionally, a small Carrefour nearby is convenient for picking up last-minute essentials. Perhaps the hotel’s main drawback is its WiFi, which falls noticeably short of the standards expected for a property of this calibre.

My favorite hotel on a recent driving trip in France. Rooms were nice size and felt new, clean, and luxury level. Breakfast, while perhaps a bit expensive, was very good with the best scrambled eggs, and all the other usual items you would expect on a breakfast buffet. All the staff were nice and gave me good parking tips. The hotel is in a good location just a couple blocks from the cathedral and about a 10 minute walk down to all the waterside cafes and restaurants. At the desk they gave me a map for a walking tour of New Rochelle. For me, an unexpected find was the 'Bunker Museum' if you are interested in WWII. Tip: about 12 minutes walk north is patisserie 'Reveur de Pain' -- make sure you have the right one as there is at least one other patisserie that you will pass before you get there -- anyway, Reveur de Pain is not to be missed. (You can also drive up there if you have a car.) Oh, yes, the most convenient parking for the hotel is if you can get the outdoor lot at Place Verdun. If full, you can go to the more expensive indoor lot, and then move your car later.