Thalazur Carnac Hôtel Les Salines

The Carnac Thalasso & Spa Resort Hotel occupies several buildings, with the main entry building featuring a subtly eclectic facade with angular extrusions that speak to the hotel’s understated but modern decor. The spacious lobby welcomes guests with an amoeba-shaped hanging light, a chic leather couch and armchairs, and tree stump coffee tables all set among a neutral color palette of white, gray, and beige. In the center of the lobby, a small circular bar invites guests to relax, and there is plenty of room to do so on a variety of soft couches and armchairs gathered around coffee tables. A mix of angular modern armchairs or molded chairs in the restaurants feature an occasional pop of bright color -- though the real highlights here are the up-close marsh views. Facilities throughout are clean and well-maintained, and a plethora of indoor and outdoor lounging areas offer guests spots to linger. This is clearly a spot for leisure travelers, and kid-friendly amenities make it especially attuned to families. While part of the hotel has been transferred from an older three-pearl Ibis chain hotel, renovations throughout most of the hotel have created a coordinated, tasteful look.

Located off a main road across from a residential area in southern Brittany’s Carnac, this resort hotel occupies 69 acres of land between the salt marshes and Quiberon Bay. There’s plenty to do on-site, and a five-minute walk will take guests to the beach. For those who want to venture beyond the resort, there are several megalithic stone sights in driving distance, including the Carnac Stones in Kermario, only an eight-minute drive from the hotel. The Museum of Pre-History is only a four-minute drive from the hotel and a few restaurants are in walking distance. For those traveling from afar, a 10-minute drive will take guests to Gare de Plouharnel Train Station, and Lorient South Brittany Airport is a 45-minute drive away. Free parking is available on-site.

• Four-minute drive to the Museum of Pre-History
• Five-minute walk to the beach
• Five-minute drive to Anse du Pô (oyster farm)
• Eight-minute drive to Carnac Stones in Kermario
• 10-minute drive to Gare de Plouharnel train station
• 11-minute drive to Trinité-sur-Mer Harbor
• 20-minute drive to St. Laurent Golf Course
• 25-minute drive to Saint-Dégan village
• 35-minute drive to Henri Le Roux Chocolate Factory
• 45-minute drive to Lorient South Brittany Airport (LRT)

Rooms at the Carnac Thalasso range in style and size, with nine different room categories that include family or group rooms for up to four people. The hotel is in the process of renovating rooms that used to be part of a three-pearl Ibis chain hotel, and guests complain in particular about accommodations on the third floor, saying that they are shabby and show signs of wear and tear. That said, more of the rooms are renovated than not, and the hotel hopes to complete all renovations in 2016.

Renovated rooms are simple, stylish, and compact, with natural decor in calming tones inspired by the beach and marshes. Light wood floors and furniture are set against green-blue walls and white bedding with occasional red accents for a look that’s tasteful and modern. Large photographs of the marsh or the Carnac stones hang over the beds or on walls, and there’s plenty of wardrobe space. The non-renovated rooms are more basic, with the hallmarks of a chain hotel: wall-to-wall carpeting, white walls, and beige curtains. Renovated bathrooms are chic and modern with large beige tiles on walls, vessel sinks, and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Rooms may have furnished balconies, ocean views, or views of the salt marshes. Larger rooms add extras including balconies, sitting areas, Nespresso coffee machines or hot chocolate machines, or deep soaking tubs. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, safes, mini-fridges, organic Bio Carnac individual toiletries, and tea and coffee service. Kids under 14 stay free.

Note that the Carnac Thalasso & Spa Resort Hotel offers rooms at Carnac Hotel (also called the Hotel Les Salines) and separate apartment-style rooms at the Carnac Resort Residence. Both have access to the spa facilities. Text above refers to the rooms, not the apartments. 

This resort hotel has a wide range of facilities aimed at relaxation and health. All guests have free access to the Marine Spa, which includes a heated seawater swimming pool that extends from a massive indoor complex into an outdoor area and has hot tubs and partially submerged lounging beds. Water aerobics classes are available for free -- there’s a separate pool with equipment in it -- and aquabiking classes and a variety of swim classes are also available. The Marine Spa includes a roomy sauna, a hammam steam room, and a large Fitness and Health Center with some 40 cardio and weight training machines as well as free weights. The gym has a separate area for free fitness classes. Personal training sessions are also available but cost an extra fee.

The hotel has eight tennis courts (though guests should bring their own equipment), bike rentals, a spa with six different rooms for massages and beauty treatments, a spa shop, and its own nature reserve with walking trails on the Ile Aux Oiseaux (Bird Island). In addition to free fitness classes, guests can take cooking workshops, massage classes, and other weekly workshops for free.

A variety of activities are geared toward kids and teens, which are especially apparent during school holidays. There’s a kids' spa and a teenagers' spa, and a kids’ club for kids ages 3 to 12. The club offers outings and games, but it’s only available during weekdays over school holidays and costs an extra fee. The hotel also has a game room with table tennis, tabletop football, and video games. 

The hotel’s three on-site restaurants include the beachfront Le Clipper and Secrets de Cuisine, which both feature French cuisine and seafood, and the Lounge Bar. There’s also a small lobby bar and cafe. Buffet breakfast is available daily, but it costs an extra fee. Room service has limited hours. Seven event rooms are available, the largest of which can host up to 350 people. The hotel is pet-friendly, though bringing pets costs an extra fee. There’s a 24-hour front desk and laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.