Accommodation on Ile de Ré off the French Atlantic coast

By Fiona Quinn

Check out where to stay on Ile de Ré. Accommodation on Ile de Ré is a mix of campsites, self-catering homes and apartments, and a smattering of small boutique hotels.

Here I highlight a few of the inexpensive options. See at the end for a few suggestions of more expensive accommodation.

Why choose Ile de Ré?

Ile de Ré, the delightful island just off the French Atlantic coast town of La Rochelle and in Poitou-Charente, is a wonderful place for a holiday. Hire a bicycle, pedal around the little villages and chill out.

Ile de Ré Hotels

Hotel de Ré

For a family with little ones, the Hotel de Ré in Sainte Marie is a good bet. It has a pool and a small restaurant where breakfast is served. The bright, colourful rooms surround the pool area or the garden with kids playground; most have terraces. All include air-conditioning, and you can book certain rooms with pull-out sofas or suites with a dining/cooking area. This is one of the best places for accommodation on Ile de Ré.

Hotel Le Galion

Tucked away at the end of St-Martin overlooking Parc de la Barbette and lighthouse, this traditional ivy-covered French hotel with pastel shutters has 29 airy rooms. Most are decorated with fresh coastal decor and have an ocean view or face Fort Vauban. Translated as a galleon, the ship theme continues in the public spaces. When the weather’s fine, you can have breakfast on the terrace.

Ile de Ré Camping

For families, a French campsite stay makes entertaining the kids so easy. A five-star resort often has everything from several pools, sporting areas and restaurants to activities such as poolside exercise classes and evening entertainment.

Sites with fewer stars will generally have a pool, onsite shop and restaurant but may lack the range of activities. However, most sites have a variety of accommodation types to suit all budgets from basic spots to set up your tent to glamping-style cabins.

Camping Le Cormoran

Considered one of the best campsites on the island, this five-star plot near the village of Ars-en-Ré is nestled in the forest alongside the beach. Spread over 7 hectares, the upscale facilities include a spa and 2 heated pools overlooking vineyards. Accommodation is in wooden cabin-tents for 2 or 4, and static caravans from basic to luxury for up to 8 people.

Camping Le Suroit

A less expensive option is Camping Le Suroit, just a short walk from Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré beach and the popular market in the centre of town. Guests use one of two pools, with an indoor pool that’s popular with small kids if you want to stay out of the sun. There’s also a cafe-restaurant where you can enjoy an aperitif on the sofa, order a pizza, or join in the occasional evening entertainment.

There are no budget hotels in the big chain groups on Ile de Ré but there are some in La Rochelle which is the departure point for the island. Check out the budget chain hotels here.

If you’re going for more upmarket accommodation, we recommend the Relais et Châteaux Hotel de Toiras in St-Martin, and its sister hotel, Villa Clarisse. South of St-Martin and on the sea, Le Bois-Plage has the delightful Les Bois Flottant.

More about Ile de Ré

Here’s more about fabulous Ile de Ré from Fiona Quinn. Read what she recommends: What to do, what to see, how to get there and what to shop for.

Ile de Ré Tourist Information

About guest writer, Fiona Quinn

Fiona Quinn is a francophile travel writer and editor. She’s lived in France on and off during the past 30 years, including as a student in Paris, ski saisonnaire in Savoie and Haute Savoie, and a home-owner in sunflower-filled Charente. 
Check out her website