Noirmoutier has a personality all its own: this group of simple white buildings in its Mediterranean garden is typical, sitting tranquilly between sea and salt marsh, long sandy beach and little yachting harbour. Perfect for family holidays, it has a tennis court, golf driving range, big pool and outdoor hot tub. Bedrooms are good too, some in classic cosy style with country fabrics and teak and pine, others more bracing with ship-shape yew furniture and yachting motifs; several have little ground-floor terraces. The delightful, caring owners have humour and intelligence and their daughter’s paintings sit well in several of the rooms. The chef has worked with the very best in Paris and meals are served by courteous waiters in the airy, raftered dining room or on the oleander-lined terrace. It is all clean-cut, sun-warmed, impeccable and welcoming: you will feel sheltered. There is a bridge but try and come by the Passage du Gois causeway, open for three hours at low tide: an unforgettable four-kilometre drive ‘through the sea’ where shellfish-diggers cluster. The island is naturally very popular in summer.
This hotel more than lived up to expectations. In a beautiful setting, very quiet and restful, only a few minutes walk from the town and 15 minute to the closest beach. Even in August, the island beaches are uncrowded. Cycle and walking paths abound so no car needed. The hotel is extremely well designed and comfortable, the staff unfailingly friendly and helpful. The dining experience is a treat, wonderful fresh food, inventively prepared and presented at every meal. Fresh seafood regularly. If you want a quiet holiday in beautiful surroundings where you are well looked after this is it!