La Grande Terrasse Hotel & Spa La Rochelle - MGallery Collection — Hotel in La Rochelle

Overall this is a lovely hotel - I’m still here - but it’s definitely not suitable for children and there are some serious communication issues outside of any language barriers. ||On the plus side, reading previous reviews I have found my room to be a good size and very clean. I did ask for a pretty view and was told they’d do their best to accommodate this, but I have no view (see below) I don’t really mind about this, but I would have expected them to let me know, and I do mind about the following issues: ||Once you have booked and are very close to leaving you receive a mail saying kids can’t use much of the pool - only a very small part without water jets. They can use the pool over the road but only between 18hrs and 19:30 hrs. I thought this would be fine as I expected to be swimming in the sea during the day. ||I wrote and asked if we could easily walk to the beach to swim or if I should hire a car? Also if there were places to eat and drink within walking distance. I wrote three times but never had a reply. ||Unfortunately, even though you can walk to the beach you can’t really swim in the day because of the tides. You can swim early in the morning or late in the evening - just when kids can use the pool here! |I brought this up and was asked if I expected them to send the timetable of the tides to all their customers? because they don’t do that! No, I don’t expect that, but I do expect a reply having sent three emails, and perhaps some local knowledge here. I’ve been told no one has ever had this problem before - it’s the first time someone has been surprised they can’t swim in the sea in the day! (Not quite true, reading the reviews) ||Previous reviews have mentioned issues with the restaurant, and indeed, it’s very expensive! A croque Monsieur is €21! Now that’s ok for a really good hotel, but the rest of the service and customer care doesn’t match up to this. The restaurant is completely closed at 2pm - I’m sure I should’ve known this, but I didn’t and I had a treatment which then meant it was too late for anything at the restaurant. I’m fine with that but not my little girl! She was quite hungry and not a happy bunny by the time we walked to a restaurant on the beach! ||I should mention we were offered smoked fish or pâté and got a bit of a judgy look when I confessed she didn’t like that! ||The hotel over the road is an Ibis and they tell you slightly different things - you’re only allowed in the outdoor pool if you’re a customer there for example, but I was told by this (Accor hotel) I could go there. Staff in the restaurant there again really lovely but very young! Served me a glass of totally flat champagne and I had to get my own cutlery! ||All this aside, the spa is lovely and I had a really good facial, the staff are really nice and helpful, and I’d return with another adult for the fabulous treatments and a much shorter stay. ||This is the perfect place for a short stay with adults to enjoy the thalasso therapies. It’s just not really a family place - or for younger kids under 16 or those wanting more of a...

Overall this is a lovely hotel - I’m still here - but it’s definitely not suitable for children and there are some serious communication issues outside of any language barriers. ||On the plus side, reading previous reviews I have found my room to be a good size and very clean. I did ask for a pretty view and was told they’d do their best to accommodate this, but I have no view (see below) I don’t really mind about this, but I would have expected them to let me know, and I do mind about the following issues: ||Once you have booked and are very close to leaving you receive a mail saying kids can’t use much of the pool - only a very small part without water jets. They can use the pool over the road but only between 18hrs and 19:30 hrs. I thought this would be fine as I expected to be swimming in the sea during the day. ||I wrote and asked if we could easily walk to the beach to swim or if I should hire a car? Also if there were places to eat and drink within walking distance. I wrote three times but never had a reply. ||Unfortunately, even though you can walk to the beach you can’t really swim in the day because of the tides. You can swim early in the morning or late in the evening - just when kids can use the pool here! |I brought this up and was asked if I expected them to send the timetable of the tides to all their customers? because they don’t do that! No, I don’t expect that, but I do expect a reply having sent three emails, and perhaps some local knowledge here. I’ve been told no one has ever had this problem before - it’s the first time someone has been surprised they can’t swim in the sea in the day! (Not quite true, reading the reviews) ||Previous reviews have mentioned issues with the restaurant, and indeed, it’s very expensive! A croque Monsieur is €21! Now that’s ok for a really good hotel, but the rest of the service and customer care doesn’t match up to this. The restaurant is completely closed at 2pm - I’m sure I should’ve known this, but I didn’t and I had a treatment which then meant it was too late for anything at the restaurant. I’m fine with that but not my little girl! She was quite hungry and not a happy bunny by the time we walked to a restaurant on the beach! ||I should mention we were offered smoked fish or pâté and got a bit of a judgy look when I confessed she didn’t like that! ||The hotel over the road is an Ibis and they tell you slightly different things - you’re only allowed in the outdoor pool if you’re a customer there for example, but I was told by this (Accor hotel) I could go there. Staff in the restaurant there again really lovely but very young! Served me a glass of totally flat champagne and I had to get my own cutlery! ||All this aside, the spa is lovely and I had a really good facial, the staff are really nice and helpful, and I’d return with another adult for the fabulous treatments and a much shorter stay. ||This is the perfect place for a short stay with adults to enjoy the thalasso therapies. It’s just not really a family place - or for younger kids under 16 or those wanting more of a...

Kindness, Comfort, and a Beautiful Escape — Even During Difficult Moments

We recently stayed at La Grande Terrasse in Châtelaillon-Plage for what was meant to be a relaxing long weekend — and while things didn’t go quite as planned, the kindness and professionalism of the staff turned a difficult situation into something truly touching.

Our stay began wonderfully. Check-in was smooth, informative, and welcoming. We were shown to our Superior Ocean View room with balcony, which exceeded our expectations — spotless, cozy, and offering a breathtaking view over the bay. The shower alone deserves a special mention — modern, spacious, and simply outstanding. The atmosphere throughout the hotel was peaceful, calm, and just what we needed.

Breakfast the next morning was another highlight: a generous spread of high-quality products and, once again, an attentive and professional team ensuring everything was perfect. The staff here are a real asset — warm, considerate, and truly dedicated to making guests feel at home.

Sadly, this is where our trip took a turn. My wife, who had already felt a little unwell on arrival, became much worse overnight. A high fever (39.5°C) revealed she had come down with a severe flu, and we made the difficult decision to cut our stay short and return home for medical care.

Despite this unexpected change — and although it was technically too late to cancel the room for our second night — the hotel showed incredible compassion. They not only waived the charge for the unused night, but also personally called later that morning to ask how my wife was doing. This gesture of kindness and empathy left a deep impression on both of us.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to enjoy the spa, pool, or hammam — but thanks to the warmth and generosity of the entire team, we already know we’ll be back. When we do return, it’ll be not just for the facilities or the view, but because we know we’ll be cared for by people who truly value their guests.

Thank you to everyone at La Grande Terrasse — we’ll see...