very small hotels

d’une île is not a conventional hotel, but rather an extraordinary space in which nature, design, quality produits regionaux and good people coexist in a merger of art and living. 

d’une île is ever changing. What was once a stable, is now a temporary artist’s studio; what was once an away cellar will be a wine-bar. Each apartment has a story of its own and in many cases the furniture is for sale.  d ’ u n e   î l e  is an experience in itself.

Sofie is an interior designer (e.g. Hotel The Exchange, Damrak, Amsterdam). Her unprecedented attention to detail can be found on the entire estate. Together Sofie and Michel restore furniture and they design the rooms. Each room gets another treatment and therefore a different character. Often furniture is specially adapted for a specific room. The interiors of d’une île change constantly.

Michel is apart from a composer/musician, a professional chef with a great love for the products of this region. Often he knows the producteurs. There are generally about 14 different wines on the menu that are purchased from small- working cavistes from the neighbourhood and in some cases from the wine-producers themselves.

Côté Océan is an exceptional and highly original hotel from the owners of Le Citizen Hotel and designer Shinsuke Kawahara. It offers affordable luxury while remaining committed to the spirit of eco-tourism. Although equipped for self-catering, Côté Océan also offers guests a range of personalized services from private dinners to spa treatments.

Guests have the choice of several apartments to stay in, as well as a villa, suite, and dormitory. Each apartment is equipped with refrigerator, hot plates, and microwave oven for in-house catering.  Every room has a private terrace. The one-bedroom Mezzanine apartment accommodates 3 people and is made up of a living room, bathroom with large shower, and triple bedroom on the upper level. Two connecting one-bedroom mezzanine apartments accomodate 6 people and  have a large double living room and 2 large triple bedrooms.

The villa is a great choice for large groups as it accommodates eight people. It has a beautiful terrace with full east exposure and views of the dunes. 

For those with teenage travelers, the dormitory has 2 triple bunk beds. Finally, for those who need a confortable single story one bedroom, the suite is the perfect choice. It is composed of a lounge with an equipped open  kitchen, private shower, and a bedroom with a queen size bed.

The decor is an inventive and functional mix of vintage Scandinavian furniture, original artworks by Kawahara, large solid wood tables for dining, and a central suspended fireplace in the lounge area, which also contains a full bar and game area. The grounds contain a wellness spa (sauna, steam room, massage room), a heated outdoor pool, and multi-sport terrain. Meals are prepared in the kitchen, which also has a gourmet deli offering a selection of artisanal products. The kitchen can be reserved for dinner.

Staying at Loire Valley Retreat, a renovated 19th century watermill, is an immersion in the French country lifestyle – we keep livestock who provide fresh poultry and serve dinner with vegetables cut fresh from our gardens. From private wine caves to local antique dealers, our private tour guides have over twenty years experience in the region and can open doors to sights that are not available to other tourism groups.

We welcome our guests as we would anyone into our own home, and love teaching our clients about rural French culture, art, and the cuisine de terroir.

Loire Valley Retreat offers 5 luxurious suites, stylishly furnished with traditional French antiques that have been lovingly refurbished for your comfort. Meals are taken in the main dining room and prepared by the on-site staff (the full rate includes breakfast and a 5 course traditional gourmet dinner with wine pairings.)

All guests have exclusive use of 12 hectares of private property with amazing views of neighboring farmland and woodland. Ideally located near to several historic chateaux, Loire Valley Retreat is a perfect balance between luxury hotel and a French country estate.

Loire Valley Mill is also available for as a private vacation rental. Please visit the Loire Valley Mill listing for details or click here.

The Museumotel is an unusual hotel to say the least. The group of white, round structures that make up the guest houses look like space pods crossed with hobbit holes, plopped down in the wooded landscape of northeastern France. The interiors are even more spacey: huge circular windows, dripping support columns, curving staircases, and arched doorways are common features.