Le Clos Saint-Martin Hôtel & Spa

Behind an arched gateway set in old stone walls, the multiple buildings that make up Hotel Le Clos St Martin are typical of houses across the island, with pastel blue shutters and terra-cotta rooftops. Inside, the lobby gets natural light from three sets of French doors across pale flagstone floors and whitewashed walls. A pair of brown leather couches sit in front of a fireplace that rises up to a vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams. A few pieces of modern art add dashes of color, but the spaces are largely dominated by a dreamy faded patina. Outside, eccentric metal sculptures, topiary, and flowerbeds decorate the two outdoor pool areas and a nearby annex that houses a separate villa. With its romantic atmosphere, the hotel attracts mostly couples, along with some families. 

The hotel is located within the 17th-century fortifications surrounding the downtown area of Saint-Martin-De-Re, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's not much on the narrow streets surrounding the hotel's own stone walls, but it's about a five-minute walk to the pedestrianized harbor-front promenade. Quaint fishing boats fill the sheltered harbor, with boutiques, restaurants, and bars dotting its perimeters and nearby cobbled streets. The 15th-century Ernest Cognacq Museum is a 10-minute walk away. It's a five-minute drive to the closest beach, (La Cible) which can be found outside the city walls. The beautiful village of La Flotte is an 11-minute drive, while the half-timbered houses and Renaissance architecture of La Rochelle are just over a 30-minute drive across the Pont-De-Re to the mainland. 

The hotel's 33 guest rooms have solid oak floors and elegant, whitewashed decor, with classic furnishings and luxurious fabrics. There are pretty, country-chic mirrors hanging on walls, and rich shades like dark-purple and chocolate-brown are used for drapes, throw pillows, and bed runners. Some rooms have patios, and all have garden or pool views. Standard rooms come with queen or king beds, desks, and seating areas with armchairs. Shuttered walk-in closets are equipped with traditional leather-handled Ile-de-Re shopping baskets made of straw. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and Wi-Fi, and most rooms have Nespresso machines. Large bathrooms have double vanities, heated towel racks, rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs. The suites vary in layout, all with large living areas and they add tablets for guests. A six-bedroom villa in an annex has a full kitchen and a private pool, and comes with 12 bikes for touring the island. There are also two off-site options closer to the harbor: a three-bedroom house with a full kitchen, a living room with a fireplace, and an outdoor terrace, as well as another two-story house with six bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a large office.

The hotel's Spa by Clarins has dim-lit treatment rooms with heated tables, and guests have free access to a hammam, sensory rainfall shower, and relaxation room. There's also a a small fitness room that has a few Technogym cardio and weight training machines. The two heated outdoor pools are open seasonally; one is adults-only and both have small sundecks with loungers and seating at tables with shade umbrellas. For dining, a stylish lounge bar, Le Petit Bec, offers snacks, light meals, and afternoon tea, but there's no full restaurant. The lounge bar also has a poolside terrace and multiple outdoor decks with comfortable seating. Breakfast is available for a fee with a spread of locally made pastries, brioche, cereals, fruit, yogurt, cheese, and cold meats. An off-site event space in a renovated 18th-century building with its own gardens is more than 6,400 square feet and can comfortably accommodate up to 120 people, and it has multiple meeting rooms. Free parking is available and Wi-Fi is free throughout