Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay at Hotel De La Plage, Saint-Nazaire!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Hotel De La Plage in Saint-Nazaire. "Escape to Paradise," they call it, and honestly? After this review, you'll either be booking a flight or quietly judging me from your couch. Let's get messy!
First, The Basics (Yawn… But Necessary)
- Accessibility: Okay, okay, for those of you with wheels (or need them!), they claim it's accessible. I didn't personally test the wheelchair situation, but the info says it's there. They better be right. Accessibility is non-negotiable, people!
- Internet, Internet, Internet! Lord, in this day and age, if you don't have Wi-Fi, you're basically a cave dweller. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! And Wi-Fi in public areas, too. Plus, LAN access for the ultra-nerds. (Me? Never.)
- Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, The World) They're trying! Anti-viral cleaning, individually wrapped food, sanitizing, the works. Look, nobody wants to pick up a souvenir virus. They claim the staff is trained. Fingers crossed!
Let's Get To The Juicy Bits! (Where My Brain Really Starts Working)
Rooms: Cozy or Cramped? That's the Question.
Alright, gotta give credit where it´s due, the room, once you find it is pretty nice. The usual suspects are present. Bathrobes were soft, and the view…the window that opens finally! It opened, and it let in a nice sea breeze. I´m a sucker for natural smells.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Will Your Tastebuds Have a Party?
- Restaurants Galore: "A la carte," "buffet," "international," "vegetarian." It's a foodie free-for-all! But honestly, navigating the menu can be a bit overwhelming. Sometimes, you just want a simple salad. I had a delicious one and I was fine, but if you like your food, get ready to explore the menu.
- Poolside Bar: Yes, please! Visions of cocktails and sun-drenched afternoons are dancing in my head. I did go for a drink and was disappointed, the service was slow. Still, it's there, and that's half the battle.
- Coffee Shop: Gotta feed the caffeine addiction, and this one didn't disappoint. The perfect mix for a good start of the day.
Spa Time! (My Favorite Part, Obviously)
This is where Hotel De La Plage really shines. Forget the world for a while. If you need a spa experience to revive you from the inside out, I recommend it.
Things to Do: Not Just Lounging (Though That's Tempting)
- Fitness Center: I am a sucker for a good workout room. But in Saint-Nazaire, I wanted to enjoy the sun. No gym for me.
- Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Yes! The pool with a view. Need I say more? This is where I spent most of my days. The water was a perfect temperature..
- Beach Access, Saint-Nazaire has a beach. Great! The hotel is close.
Quirks and Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect)
- "Family/Child Friendly": Yes, they have babysitting. I don't have kids, so I went with the adults only, that was a hard choice.
- Staff Trained? I could use some help sometimes, I had to try to speak French a few times, but I still don't do it well.
- The Elevator: It's there. It works. That's all I'm saying.
- Parking: Car park is on-site, plus free charge. Score!
The Emotional Verdict!
Look, Hotel De La Plage, they're trying. It's not flawless, it's got some quirks. But the core experience – the spa, the pool with a view, the chance to unwind – is absolutely worth it.
My Dream Escape: Reaching For Paradise!
Here's the deal: Saint-Nazaire is the perfect getaway. Hotel De La Plage is a safe and comfortable option!
Book now. You deserve it.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Villa Royal, Port Elizabeth's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished itinerary. This is the real deal – a chaotic, beautiful, and occasionally disastrous dive into the Best Western Hotel De La Plage in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (and Croissants)
Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): The alarm screams. It's supposed to be romantic, you know? Paris to Saint-Nazaire by train, oh la la! Except, the romance of travel vanishes when you’re wrestling a suitcase bigger than your existential dread onto the train. First train delay. Naturally. The only consolation? The sheer, unadulterated joy of a French croissant at the Gare Montparnasse. (Butter. Everywhere. Worth it.)
Mid-day (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Arrive in Saint-Nazaire! Get lost. Wander around the docks, slightly intimidated by the scale of the shipyards. Seriously, these things are HUGE. Find the hotel (after a brief, panicked text to the group chat asking if I was even in the right town). The Best Western De La Plage. Looks alright, I guess. The lobby smells faintly of bleach and…the sea? Is that a good thing?
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Check in. Room is…small. But the view! Oh my god, the view! Right onto the ocean. Okay, maybe this isn't so bad. Settle in. Unpack (ish). Contemplate life, the universe, and whether I’ve brought enough socks.
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Stroll along the beach. The wind is whipping, the sky is moody. It's PERFECT. Snag some dodgy fish and chips from a local takeaway (regret it later, maybe). Find a little beachfront bar. The French guy behind the bar, totally judging the fact that I attempt to order a beer in French and end up saying, "I like…the…beer?" He manages a polite chuckle and hands me a bière. And you know what? It tastes amazing. The sea, the wind, the slightly-too-salty chips… it's glorious.
Day 2: Shipyards, Shipwrights, and (Potentially) Shipwrecked Taste Buds
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Okay, shipyards. Time to be impressed, I guess. A guided tour, a bit boring to be honest. The lady who was taking the tour, she was pretty good, but she got bogged down in the technicalities of the…hull plating? (I think? I didn’t really pay attention). The sheer size of the ships, though, is truly mind-boggling. It’s industrial, yes, but also…artistic? I don't know, I'm not a ship guy. I'd much rather be on the ship.
Mid-day (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch. Right, this is where it gets dicey. Found a "charming little bistro" recommended online. Ordered the "plat du jour". Looks amazing. Smells amazing. Tastes like…cat food? Okay, maybe not cat food, but something close. Seriously, the aftertaste is something I’ll never forget. The waiter, bless him, saw my face and immediately offered me a coffee. Still, I'm left questioning my life choices and considering a career change to professional sandwich maker.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to the hotel (for existential comfort, and to Google "how to identify questionable French food"). Stare at the ocean. Contemplate the futility of travel, and the magnificence of the croissant I had that morning, but was now thinking I should have had like…three.
Evening (6:00 PM-10:00 PM): The restaurant, L'Ocean, at the Hotel! Maybe this will make up for the earlier lunch disaster? Okay, its slightly nicer than it looked in the photo. I order the seafood platter, because I'm determined to enjoy the local cuisine. It arrives, it is glorious. Every type of critter imaginable and a mountain of crustaceans. I make my way through the seafood mountain. I even try the oysters (I usually hate them, but hey, in France!). One bite. Two bites. Three bites. OMG I LOVE OYSTERS. The sunset over the ocean, the slightly salty air, perfect.
Day 3: Art, Abandoned Bunkers, and… Regret?
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): I'm going to find some art! I find some cool graffiti art along the waterfront. It’s edgy and cool and makes me feel vaguely hip. I take pictures (naturally). Spend like two hours wandering around feeling like a sophisticated art critic until…
Mid-day (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM):…I stumble upon a concrete bunker. Built, I assume, during the war and now…abandoned. There's a gap in the fence, so I go in. It's the coolest, creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. Grey walls, echoing silence, hints of history. I'm both exhilarated and terrified. Then, a sudden rainstorm, and I am utterly drenched. My camera is basically ruined, my shoes are now sinking in mud and my stomach is rumbling from my meal earlier, no good way.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Retreat back to the hotel room. Dry off, assess the damage. My camera is NOT okay. I'm going to have to buy a new one. More importantly, the rumbling! Try to sleep off the effects of my questionable lunch choices.
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM): One last stroll along the beach. The wind has died down. The sky is a bruised purple. Watch the sunset. The sea is beautiful. Maybe Saint-Nazaire isn’t so bad after all. Maybe the questionable lunch was worth it for the perfect seafood platter, and the perfect view. Think about the long train journey home. I contemplate buying another croissant…or maybe three? And you know what? I definitely should.
Day 4: Departure & Delusions of Grandeur
Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): The dreaded alarm. Pack (more like, shove everything into the suitcase). Check out. Leave. Find a slightly better train. Arrive in Paris.
Conclusion: Saint-Nazaire? It's a bit rough around the edges, a bit industrial, a bit…unpredictable. But it's also got a raw beauty, a stunning coastline, truly incredible seafood, and quirky charm that sticks with you long after you've left. It's a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and then, inexplicably, wins you over. Would I return? Absolutely. Would I bring a new camera? Without question. Would I avoid the "charming bistro"? Probably. Will I regret the slightly questionable lunch? Absolutely not. It was a learning experience, right? And who knows, maybe next time, I'll even learn to speak French. Maybe. And I'm still going to dream of those oysters.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay at Hotel De La Plage, Saint-Nazaire! ...Maybe? Let's Find Out!
Okay, so, Hotel De La Plage... is it *actually* paradise? Or just, you know, a hotel?
Alright, let's be brutally honest. Paradise? Nope. But hey, if your definition of paradise includes *not* having to do the dishes for a few days and a decent view of the Atlantic... then maybe, just maybe, we're getting somewhere. Look, Saint-Nazaire isn't the Maldives. It's a working port town. But the Hotel De La Plage? It's got its charms, its quirks, and its moments. You have to go in with realistic expectations, alright? Otherwise, you're setting yourself up for disappointment when you realize the "private beach access" involves a bit of a scramble over some rocks.
What kind of rooms are available? Are the "Sea View" rooms *really* sea view? I’m a sucker for a good view!
Okay, the room situation. Let's talk *room*. You got your standard rooms, which... well, they're standard. Functional. Think "clean but not necessarily *sparkling*." Then you've got your "Sea View" rooms. Now, here's the kicker (and pay attention, view-lovers!): "Sea View" *technically* means you can see the sea. But the view might be partially blocked by another building, or a very enthusiastic seagull, or, you know, just a general lack of optimal angle engineering. Seriously, I paid extra for "Sea View" and I think I spent half my time craning my neck like a confused giraffe. The view was mostly... rooftop. But still, when the sun hit it just right... *chef's kiss*. The other rooms were mostly fine, they reminded me a lot of a slightly tired college dorm. But the size? They were fine, spacious enough!
The food! What's the dining situation like? Is the breakfast buffet worth the calories?
Breakfast. Ah, the breakfast buffet. It's... a journey. Okay, let's be honest. It IS a journey. There was a wide assortment - croissants, bread, fruit, eggs, and weirdly, a *massive* vat of what I *think* was scrambled eggs, though I’m still not entirely sure. I mean, it *looked* like scrambled eggs, but the texture... made me question everything. But the croissants? Glorious. Absolutely sinful. Flaky, buttery, perfect. I loaded up. And then regretted it. But oh, the *pleasure*! The coffee, however, was... let's just say it wasn't the stuff of legends. Worth the calories? Depends. If you're a croissant fiend like me, absolutely. Otherwise, maybe grab something at a patisserie in town instead. Also, they ran out of the good yogurt *every single morning* I was there. Infuriating. Seriously, it was a battle to get the good stuff.
Is there anything to do in Saint-Nazaire besides, well, *be* there?
Alright, this is where things get interesting. Saint-Nazaire... it takes a bit of getting used to. It's not exactly a bustling tourist hub, you know? But that's kind of its charm? Okay, maybe "charm" is a strong word. The shipyards are cool, if you're into that kind of thing (which, let be honest, I kind of am - big boats are neat!). There's a submarine you can tour. It was *seriously* cramped in there, but I loved it! You can walk along the beach, you can... well, you can *try* to find a decent cocktail. Seriously, finding a decent cocktail in Saint-Nazaire is almost as hard as finding parking. But there are some nice little restaurants. It's a place to *slow down*, that's for sure. Embrace the slightly-gritty, industrial vibes. And the best part? It's *definitely* not overrun with tourists.
What about the "Beach Access" they advertise everywhere? Is it easy?
The "Beach Access"... oh, the beach access. It's not exactly a stroll across a manicured lawn, folks. Be prepared for a bit of an adventure. You have to walk a bit, and then there’s a rocky path, and you might have to do a bit of scrambling. It's not impossible, mind you. But if you're expecting a smooth, sandy pathway... you might be disappointed. I went down there in my brand-new flip-flops (rookie mistake!), nearly twisted my ankle on a particularly treacherous rock. I ended up just sitting on the rocks staring at the waves, nursing my bruised ego and a slight feeling of "well, maybe I *should* have brought hiking boots." It's doable, but pack sturdy shoes. And maybe bring a good book to read while you contemplate the existential angst of unsuitable footwear.
Any horror stories? Anything I should definitely *avoid*?
Horror stories? Well, I wouldn't call them *horror* stories... more like "minor inconveniences that could have been avoided with better planning." One time, the elevator broke down. For, like, three hours. After hauling my suitcase up four flights of stairs, I nearly lost it. The key cards... they sometimes decided not to work, at the most inconvenient times (like, say, 3 AM when you really, really needed to pee). And there was this one time, the shower head decided it just *didn't* want to cooperate. It sprayed water everywhere. Honestly, I needed a shower *after* the shower. But hey, it all adds to the charm, right? (Said with a slightly manic grin). Avoid the vending machine late at night. The snacks are questionable.
Okay, so, the staff? Friendly? Helpful? Or more "French" about it?
The staff... it really depends on the day. Seriously. Some days, they were utterly charming, helpful, and went above and beyond. Other days... they were French. Look, I’m not going to generalize here, BUT let's just say the "French hospitality" stereotype sometimes held true. I had a couple of encounters where I felt like I was slightly inconveniencing them simply by existing (asking for directions, requesting an extra towel... the very basics). But then, on other occasions, they were wonderful. One of the concierges actually offered to help me learn basic French phrases! So, it’s a mixed bag. Be polite, and hopefully, you'll be rewarded with some genuine friendliness. If not… well, at least you'll get a story to tell when you get home.
Tell me about that *one* perfect moment. What made it worth it?
Okay, here's the thing. It wasn't the perfectly pristine beach. It wasn't the gourmet food (Mountain Stay
