Le Bois Saint Martin

Le Bois Saint Martin Overview

You know what? I’ve stayed at a lot of boutique places, but Le Bois Saint Martin on Chemin Des Salières actually surprised me. First off, forget about star ratings here – this place doesn’t fit into those neat little categories anyway. It’s tucked away in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, which honestly is the better part of Île de Ré if you ask me. Less touristy than the main port area, but you’re still only a ten-minute bike ride (and trust me, you’ll want to rent a bike) from all the harbor restaurants and that gorgeous market on Saturday mornings. The hotel itself feels like someone’s really well-designed family home that they decided to share with travelers who appreciate good taste over flashy amenities.

What I loved most was how quiet it gets at night – you’re far enough from the main drag that you won’t hear scooters puttering around until 2 AM, but close enough that you can walk to Café de la Paix for morning coffee without breaking a sweat. The rooms have this understated elegance thing going on, sort of like what you’d find in a Parisian apartment if your Parisian friend had excellent taste and a decent budget. Nothing feels overdone or trying too hard, which can be a problem with some boutique spots. The bathrooms are actually spacious (rare for France, let’s be honest), and I mean, the linens are the kind you want to ask where they bought them. Parking can be a bit tricky during peak season – July and August get pretty intense on the island – but there’s usually space if you’re not rolling in at 6 PM on a Friday.

The breakfast deserves its own mention because it’s clearly not some corporate continental spread. Fresh pastries from a local bakery, proper coffee, and they actually ask how you like your eggs. Small thing, but it matters when you’re trying to fuel up for a day of cycling around the salt marshes or hitting Plage de la Conche des Baleines on the northern tip of the island. The staff genuinely knows the area too – they pointed me toward this incredible oyster farm about fifteen minutes away that I never would’ve found otherwise. Look, at 8.2 rating, it’s not perfect (the WiFi can be spotty in some rooms, and if you need a gym or pool, you’re out of luck), but honestly? Those aren’t the reasons you come to Saint-Martin-de-Ré anyway. You come for the medieval walls, the morning light hitting those white houses with green shutters, and the feeling that you’ve found a corner of France that still feels authentically French. Le Bois Saint Martin gets that, and they’ve created a place that complements the experience rather than trying to compete with it.