Le Champlain

We stayed here a year ago to the week. As we were doing a 1800 mile road trip in France, because of our last visit, we decided to return for a 2 night stay. We must say, our last trip was not a one off. Nothing has changed, excellent service,superb ambiance. Just really classy. Great staff, and as a bonus we were upgraded to a ground floor suite, which opens onto the garden. In one word, superb.

This charming boutique hotel seamlessly combines historic glamour with modern comfort, nestled in a beautifully restored 17th-century convent just steps from Place de Verdun in the heart of La Rochelle. Its prime location offers convenient access to the city’s top attractions and public transport, all within a safe, flat, and walkable area that remains impressively tranquil despite being in the city centre. The hotel exudes a distinctive ambiance, boasting high-ceilinged rooms and a chic bar featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of premium wines and spirits, including the region’s very drinkable Pineau des Charentes. However, while the bar is visually appealing, it surprisingly lacks atmosphere and is often very quiet. Guests can expect professional and helpful service from the reception team, and the breakfast, especially the scrambled eggs, is an enjoyable start to a busy day. That said, service on busy mornings, particularly at weekends, could benefit from some fine-tuning. For dining nearby, the literary-themed Café de la Paix provides an authentic brasserie experience, while Arco, an upscale fine-dining restaurant further along the medieval arcaded street, offers a more refined option. Additionally, a small Carrefour nearby is convenient for picking up last-minute essentials. Perhaps the hotel’s main drawback is its WiFi, which falls noticeably short of the standards expected for a property of this calibre.

Excellent hotel. Staff were really friendly and helpful.and the restaurants they recommended were very good. Very clean and central. They have a resident masseuse who was also excellent and they are currently expanding their range of treatments and facilities.

My favorite hotel on a recent driving trip in France. Rooms were nice size and felt new, clean, and luxury level. Breakfast, while perhaps a bit expensive, was very good with the best scrambled eggs, and all the other usual items you would expect on a breakfast buffet. All the staff were nice and gave me good parking tips. The hotel is in a good location just a couple blocks from the cathedral and about a 10 minute walk down to all the waterside cafes and restaurants. At the desk they gave me a map for a walking tour of New Rochelle. For me, an unexpected find was the 'Bunker Museum' if you are interested in WWII. Tip: about 12 minutes walk north is patisserie 'Reveur de Pain' -- make sure you have the right one as there is at least one other patisserie that you will pass before you get there -- anyway, Reveur de Pain is not to be missed. (You can also drive up there if you have a car.) Oh, yes, the most convenient parking for the hotel is if you can get the outdoor lot at Place Verdun. If full, you can go to the more expensive indoor lot, and then move your car later.

I would highly recommend this hotel if you ever visit La Rochelle. Great hotel, great location, great breakfast :)

What a lovely Hotel. We had a free upgrade to Le Suite Champlain. Lovely room with a garden view. Excellent huge beds! Lovely decor in the rooms. Close to La Rochelle centre, great staff. The breakfast was good too!