Résidence Odalys Archipel

I loved our stay here, we stayed for two weeks as a family. I worked remotely for the first week and bought a portable WiFi device with me as I wasn't sure how strong the apartment WiFi would be, when doing video calls etc. Their WiFi is ok but not reliable enough to work for a long period of time. The apartment was clean and large, we had a balcony overlooking the car park, was lovely to have some outside space. Apartment was well equipped with clothes airer on the balcony, basic hand wash and shampoo/body wash in the bathroom. Kitchen stocked for 4 people. There are no starter packs here, so one roll of toilet roll provided, no kitchen bits like kitchen roll, washing up liquids, dishwasher tabs but there is a Carrefour supermarket less than 5 mins walk where you could get everything. Air con was great to have, pool area was lovely, it can get busy at times in the afternoon but always found spare sun beds. Location is fantastic, 15 mins walks into the centre, or 5 mins walk to the water taxi stop, which takes you across the water to the centre for €1.50 each. The staff were lovely, always happy to help, and really knowledgeable with the local area. The bed was quite hard, but that's personal preference. Would be nice to have had a mini starter kit for the kitchen, such as a roll of kitchen roll, tea towel and small washing up liquid but the apartment was really amazing value for two weeks, so this isn't a moan. The laundry room was really useful, with a washer and drier, would be handy to have the instructions in English too.

Ok stay, but bring your own towels Hôtel is ok and is clean. Parking is excellent and was a real benefit as finding parking in the main area of La Rochelle is a nightmare. Location is a bit commercial and out of the main area, but there is a shuttle water taxi that cuts off have of the walk to the main area, with this stopping at 11:45pm. The location therefore ended up being ok. Breakfast was ok but expensive. No safe in room which was a bit of an issue. The hotel also only provides one bath towel for your stay and charges per towel to change this. Each room appears to have its own hot water cylinder, so make sure that the first person in the bathroom does not run off all of the hot water - a full bath would use it all. No one on reception from 8pm till 8am, although you are given a code.

The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was the lack of aircon (it was very warm and humid when we visited) but it's very hard to find a hotel with air con + pool in La Rochelle and apparently there are plans to add this next year. The only other downside was not being able to have drinks at poolside, that would have been perfect. Overall though this place was lovely and we'd stay again. The room was clean, modern and well equipped, the location was excellent (short and lovely walk to the centre), the breakfast was very good (lots of choice, excellent coffee and loads of food constantly replenished). The staff were wonderful, extremely friendly and helpful. Thanks for a wonderful stay!