Hotel Le Cottage

Perhaps more resort than hotel, Hotel Le Cottage is a destination for vacationing couples and families who want quiet time away from it all. Situated in a quiet spot away from the beach and town, the hotel consists of two buildings with stucco facades, arched accents, and terra-cotta roofs. Surrounding them is a landscaped yard studded with palm trees and walkways, sitting areas and yard games, like mini-golf and giant chess. The centerpiece, though, is the pool, where guests sometimes spend the day taking in sunshine and Pyrenees views, especially in high season when the pool bar is open for business. Some areas of the hotel can feel dated or sparse -- for example, the eclectically upholstered seating in the tiled lobby feels like a bit of an afterthought and room decor is nice but basic -- though guests who stay here are likely to spend more time outdoors than in. 

Hotel Le Cottage is situated in a peaceful residential neighborhood between town and the beach in the French seaside town of Argeles-sur-Mer, about an hour’s drive from the Spanish border. Guests can walk to restaurants in the town center in about eight minutes or to white sandy beaches in 15 to 20 minutes. (It's a six-minute drive.) The village of Collioure is about a 15-minute drive. The train station, Gare d'Argeles Sur Mer, is an 10-minute walk or a four-minute drive. Parking is free.

Guest rooms are clean and contemporary but on the small side with basic, neutral decor that varies from room to room. White walls, carpeted or wood floors, wood furnishings, and taupe-brown accents are common elements. Bathrooms also vary. Some are slightly more dated with white tiled walls and combo showers and tubs, while others are chic with beige tiling, long rectangular sinks, and walk-in showers. Entry-level rooms can be quite small -- under 200 square feet -- but upgrading to a suite or apartment will double the size of accommodations.

For a mid-range hotel, rooms are fairly well equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, LCD TVs, electric kettles, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have high-end flourishes, too, as they're stocked with robes, slippers, hairdryers, and L'Occitane toiletries. Suites add living areas and Nespresso coffeemakers, while apartments have kitchenettes. Family Suites and Apartments can accommodate two adults and two children with the use of pull-out beds. Many rooms have outdoor terraces or balconies with sitting areas, and sometimes exceptional views of the Pyrenees. 

Guests are drawn to this property in part because of its extensive leisure facilities, which includes two pools, a spa, and a gym. There’s no full-service restaurant or bar—a down point for some guests who’d prefer to lounge by the pool without bothering to go out for lunch. To improve this situation, the hotel reception serves drinks to the pool and opens the pool snack bar during its busiest summer months. The hotel also offers a nice daily breakfast buffet on an outdoor terrace, and it features everything from crepes to smoked salmon. However, breakfast may not be included in the room rate, and some guests find the extra fee pricey. 

The heated outdoor pool is big and lagoon shaped -- attractive, if not quite as attractive as the hotel’s own website photos suggest -- surrounded by palm trees and loungers with thatched umbrellas, all set to the backdrop of the Pyrenees. The so-called indoor pool is actually situated under an overhang so it can be open to the fresh air, and is smaller, making it more popular with adults than children. There’s also a small outdoor whirlpool tub. The spa features private treatment rooms, a solarium and relaxation areas, a hammam, sauna, and chromotherapy shower. The gym is small but rather nice with some weight-lifting equipment, including free weights, and a handful of cardio machines. 

The hotel’s outdoor garden is another highlight, with relaxation areas as well as games, like a giant chess board, a ping-pong table, boules, mini-golf, and foosball. Pets are allowed for an extra nightly fee, the hotel offers free parking, and Wi-Fi throughout is free. Cribs and rollaway beds are available for extra fees.