Les Ormes, Domaine & Resort

The hotel is set on a large estate surrounded by a lake and landscaped gardens. This is not a romantic Breton retreat, or anything like the quaint towns dotting this part of France. The property is 100% child friendly and caters to families and golfers who are here to holiday and take advantage of the myriad activities, the many indoor and outdoor pools, and adventure opportunities. The hotel lobby is decorated in neutral tones with wood panel feature walls, quality leather armchairs, and warm lighting. There are plenty of places for guests to gather throughout the 400-acre property, including multiple on-site restaurants and bars like L'Oie Gourmande restaurant, a slightly more formal dining room with handsome, if basic, gray-tone decor. Guests can dine inside on crisp white linen tablecloths, or outside on the terrace, with views of the swimming pool and manicured gardens. There are also many casual dining spots as well. Guests have noted that many facilities here can get busy, especially during peak season.

The estate is located in Brittany, in the northwest corner of France. As this is a self-contained resort, there isn't much within walking distance and a car is best for seeing the local sights. The resort is a 12-minute drive from the Cathedrale St-Samson, with features dating back to the 13th century, and a 40-minute drive from Mont Saint-Michel, an abbey built on an island commune in Normandy. The cobbled and charming streets of Saint-Malo, an ancient walled city, are a 40-minute drive from the resort as well. Gare de Dol de Bretagne train station is a 10-minute drive from the hotel with regular connections to Gare de Rennes, a main railway station. Guests are a 13-minute drive from shopping at the Carrefour Market Dol De Bretagne, and a 40-minute drive from boat cruises and beaches in Dinard. The Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo Airport is just over 30 minutes away by road.

The hotel has 45 neutrally decorated rooms, all equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. The style is contemporary, but chain-like, with warm brown, tan, and red color schemes, simple oak furniture, and thin tan carpets. Both Standard and Privilege Rooms are spacious and have ample storage space for guest luggage. Wall art consists of modern Breton landscape prints -- snowy old buildings and the like -- and curtains and accent pillows have a red-and-white leaf pattern. Beds are made with white duvets and have oak headboards. Bathrooms are contemporary as well, with stylish gray and red tiling as well as heated towel racks and shower/tub combos or mosaic-tile walk-in showers. They include hair dryers and toiletries. For an extra splash of cash guests can rent a self-contained Apartment, complete with a living room, full kitchen, and outdoor seating area. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available on request. There are also campsites with modern hook-ups and even a treehouse for guests looking for alternatives to traditional hotel rooms.

The hotel caters to a broad range of guests with an abundance of activities available. These include an 18-hole golf course, tennis court, sauna, fitness facilities, multiple swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), fishing, cycling, horseback riding, and an adventure park with archery, paintball, and rock climbing. There's also a water park in season. Some activities are free, but many come with fees. There are multiple restaurants and bars on site, though some are only open seasonally. Cuisine on offer includes pizza, locally produced grilled dishes at L'Auberge de la Cour Verte, traditional French dishes at L'Oie Gourmande, and local brews at the Clubhouse. Breakfasts are not included with room rates. The resort can host weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations, and can provide guest entertainment packages on request. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and guest parking is available on-site. Child care is also available.