Hôtel Atalante - Relais Thalasso & Spa

If one is very physically fit, bicycling and hiking is available for island exploration. Otherwise a car is necessary. If one is interested in a beauty spa environment the close relationship with the spa next door is valuable with the exception that it is closed on Sunday. If one is interested in being alone, the hotel was quite isolated and desolate in feel, very very quiet. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful when they could communicate in English. The food both in the hotel and attached spa was more than adequate in portion and was very delicious as well as presenting a varied and interesting cuisine. Cocktail hour was pleasant with interestingp, tasty hors'doevres. The hotel and restaurant were immaculately clean and nicely appointed.

Transportation from the train to the hotel was not arranged for me by the hotel, although apparently was available and at 1/5 the price of the local taxi service. I arrived at 10:30 am but, although checkout was noon, my room was not ready until 4:00 pm. The various meal plans were not described and upon questioning, the staff could not explain the plans in English. Without a car I was fairly stranded at the hotel, not able to visit the remainder of the island nor La Rochelle. The hotel was much more isloated and desolate than I had expected. The low tide did not allow ocean swimming during the bulk of the daylight hours, but only revealed a very rocky, seaweed-slimy beachfront. The swimming pool at the spa next door was indoors, with very warm salt water, not the refreshment one desired during a hot day. The hotel shop was closed on Sunday, very inconvenient when so isolated from the rest of the island.