La Baronnie Domaine du Bien-Etre

This elegant grande dame and her more intimate little sister ooze history, comfort and style in chic Saint Martin, with leafy, rose-speckled gardens

Just a few steps from the centre of bustling Saint Martin, Ile de Ré’s oh-so-pretty capital and main town, lies a huge iron gate; step inside and you enter French history. This is La Baronnie - a stone mansion with an 18th-century baronial pedigree. Next door lies the more intimate and less imposing Domaine du Bien-Etre; together, they form a wonderfully peaceful hideaway. More like private homes than hotels, they have been sympathetically restored by Pierre and Florence Pallardy - he a famed osteopath, she a model turned interior designer - who have kept their histories intact without forgetting about guests' comfort.

La Baronnie is regal and elegant, inside and out. Think summer home away from the palace (albeit on a smaller scale) and you’ll be about right, though the ambiance is not at all royal, more well-to-do. The restful Domaine du Bien-Etre (‘House of Well-Being’) is less grand but no less beautiful, with the same traditional French décor and original features. Both have a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, bucolic views and huge bedrooms with plenty of natural light. Outside, the fabulous gardens, rampant with wisteria and roses, offer peace and tranquility under shady pine and fruit trees. Venture through the front door and within minutes you can be sitting in a cosy restaurant, browsing through the chic boutiques that line the streets of Saint Martin, or ambling along the town’s picturesque harbour.

Highs

• Both buildings are historic gems, with fascinating interiors and personal touches everywhere
• The ambiance is homely, restful and very welcoming
• The quiet gardens are ideal for relaxing away from the island’s summertime crowds
• This is a great location, with the harbour and all that Saint Martin offers just moments away
• The owners and housekeepers really know the island inside out and have lots of suggestions for your time here
• The small spa offers beauty treatments, relaxing massages and osteopathic consultations

Lows

• The 18th-century décor is a bit sober and heavy-looking, which may not appeal to those on a beach holiday
• The Pallardys and their staff can sometimes be hard to track down - don't expect 24-hour service
• Rooms at the front overlook the street and may be a little noisy, particularly during high season
• There’s no bar and no alcoholic drinks in the minibars, though tea and coffee are available throughout the day