La Villa du Guern

Baden, Brittany, France
Book from GBP Book from £179 per night

La Villa du Guern

Baden, Brittany, France

Small boutique hotel offering utter escapism, with elegant suites, a bijou spa and sweeping views of the Gulf of Morbihan

Small boutique hotel offering utter escapism, with elegant suites, a bijou spa and sweeping views of the Gulf of Morbihan

We could easily have fallen asleep on our terrace – hypnotised by the shimmering stars overhead and sound of waves breaking below – were it not for the enticing call of the crisp white linens that dressed our sumptuous bed inside. And a week could have passed in a similarly leisurely fashion – eyes fixed on the expansive horizon, floating between the sauna, pool and fireplace – had it not been for the strikingly beautiful coastline, fascinating historical monuments and amazing restaurants in the vicinity.

The Gulf of Morbihan is one of France’s best-kept secrets, a unique marine environment with 40+ little islands and a sophisticated ambiance. La Villa du Guern complements it perfectly. There's a sleek minimalism throughout the hotel; swathes of glass and stylish touches of grey and soft green perfectly mirror the surrounding seascape. Owners Arnaud and Martine spent 3 years renovating the property after falling in love with this amazing region, and it was worth every bit of effort. Whether you're after a restorative holiday or romantic minibreak, this is a slice of pure French paradise.

Highs

  • The breathtaking Gulf of Morbihan. Borrow a canoe to paddle around the islands and find deserted little sandy coves
  • Just 5 beautiful suites, all with a terrace
  • Arnaud and Martine are natural hosts; we couldn’t have felt more at home
  • Breakfast, full of local produce, is bliss, and delicious dinners on Mondays
  • A heated infinity pool with panoramic views out to sea

Lows

  • The Gulf of Morbihan has its own microclimate, which means the weather can be a little changeable
  • Dinner only available one night a week (Monday), but the region is a foodie’s paradise, with amazing restaurants all around
  • You’ll want a car here
  • There's a 7 night minimum at all times (Saturday-Saturday) and the hotel is closed October-May

Best time to go

Late spring and early autumn are our favourite times, thanks to the warm weather and quieter coastline. Foodies should visit in early summer for strawberry season or September-May for oyster season. There’s a jazz festival in Vannes in July. We also love grey days, so don’t rule out late autumn: there’s something wonderfully romantic about being curled up in front of the fire with a glass of local cider, watching the waves crash onto the shore. The hotel closes October-May.

Our top tips

Borrow a canoe: there are over 40 islands to discover within the Gulf of Morbihan, some huge, some private, others just rocks fringed by sand. In France, all beaches are considered public land, which means you can land wherever you’d like. So paddle out and find a deserted spot for your day. The sunset over the Gulf is one of the most magnificent we’ve ever seen.

Great for...

Foodie
Great Outdoors
Romantic
Spa
  • Boutique Hotel
  • 5 rooms
  • Breakfast (restaurants nearby)
  • 4+ year olds welcome
  • Closed: October - May
  • Heated Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car recommended
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Bicycles Available
Room:

Rooms

There are 5 suites, named after local sailboats. They are all individually styled, featuring trinkets from Arnaud and Martine’s time in Japan, paintings by Martine’s sister-in-law, and modern French design pieces. Some have splashes of olive green, others light grey accents, and all have floor-to-ceiling windows, framing the stunning landscape beyond the glass.

We stayed in first-floor Le Thonier Dundee, and upon arrival ran straight onto its huge terrace to marvel at the sunset reflections in the Gulf. We also loved its rainfall shower, which gazed out to sea. Our favourite room was airy Suite Le Langoustier; with its wall of glass behind the bed and a deep bathtub, it’s perfect for a romantic retreat.

Ground-floor rooms Le Chaland and Le Sinagot are a little bit smaller. We really liked their pendant lightshades and suspended patterned 'headboards'. Finally, Le Forban: another beauty with a petrol-blue feature wall and panoramic views from the terrace.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • In room treatments available
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

Brittany is a foodie’s paradise, most famous for its buckwheat crepes, oysters and plump strawberries. And at La Villa du Guern, regional produce is king.

Breakfast is bliss. We lingered over the steaming coffee, freshly pressed juice, crisp croissants, homemade plum cake, cheeses, charcuterie, and – of course – crepes coated in caramel butter.

Dinners are available Monday nights only and the menu changes regularly showcasing high quality fresh seasonal and local ingredients.

If you want to head out to eat, ask Arnaud and Martine for restaurant recommendations; there's a good bakery nearby with lots of options for picnic lunches for example. Just next door you’ll find a small, family-run oyster farm, from which you can sup on the freshest plate of oysters you’ll have ever had. Or, if you're feeling flush, there are 9 Michelin-starred eateries close to La Villa du Guern.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Coffee / tea making
  • Dinner by arrangement
  • Restaurants nearby
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Borrow a bicycle and cycle to the Quiberon Peninsula's superb beaches
  • Or walk the coastal hiking trail, 'til you find your perfect stretch of sand
  • Taxi boats from Baden zip all over the Gulf of Morbihan. Visit the charming port of Saint-Goustan; Belle-Île-en-Mer's beautiful wild coastline and Er Lannic's megalithic remains, revealed at low tide
  • Or explore the gulf independently: the hotel has kayaks to borrow, and you can hire SUPs in Baden
  • There's plenty of historical interest in the region, including the neolithic Carnac menhirs, prehistoric Cairn de Gavrinis, the fortified medieval city of Vannes and the magnificent Suscinio Castle
  • Popular Atlantic surf spots include Ste Barbe in Plouharnel and Kerhillio in Erdeven
  • An 18-hole golf course in Baden with spectacular views on the water, plus five others within less than one hour drive
  • Back at the hotel, do lazy laps in the heated infinity pool, or relax in the garden with a book
  • The small spa (jacuzzi, sauna) can be hired exclusively

    Activities on site or nearby include:

    • Cycling

Kids

Children aged 4+ are welcome.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Le Langoustier is a family suite with a master bedroom and a children's bedroom with 2 single beds. Le Forban and Le Sinagot can be connected, sleeping 4 guests in total (Le Forban can be twinned).

Kid Friendly:

Location

La Villa du Guern is in the village of Baden, at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, a unique marine environment of 40+ islands in southern Brittany.

By Air:
Most people fly into Nantes (130km) and then hire a car. You could also fly to Rennes (131km) or Lorient (domestic flights only, 56km).

By Train:
If you'd prefer to travel overland, take the Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV to Vannes.

By Sea:
Or drive from England. Get the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff (5 hrs 30) and drive the final 200km.

The hotel has a charging station for electrical cars.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Nantes 130.0 km
  • Lorient Bretagne Sud 56.0 km LRT

Other:

  • Beach 0.1 km
  • Shops 3.0 km
  • Restaurant 3.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
10/10
Service
10/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for La Villa du Guern

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