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The Best Hotels in Nantes, France

The best hotels in Nantes reflect the citys artistic vitality and place in French history
The best hotels in Nantes reflect the city's artistic vitality and place in French history | © Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo

As the birthplace of novelist Jules Verne, Nantes reflects much of the artistry and innovation found in the author’s famous works. Explore the medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne or visit the quirky Les Machines de l’Île de Nantes. Here’s our pick of the top hotels in Nantes.

Once France’s shipbuilding heartland, this city at the mouth of the Loire River has transformed its industrial prowess into a cultural hub that offers much for travellers who are into art, engineering and architecture. Oh, and let’s not forget Muscadet wine. Enjoy the best of Nantes’ fascinating history and visionary future from these top hotels.

Aparthotel Adagio Nantes Centre

Boutique Hotel, Apartment

Large double bedroom at Aparthotel Adagio Nantes Centre with sun streaming through window
Courtesy of Aparthotel Adagio Nantes Centre / Expedia

Get the kids learning French with games of Monopoly and Guess Who, along with toys and comic books in a charming children’s play area. For adults, a fitness room includes a rowing machine and stepper. The rooms feature a compact kitchenette that crams in a microwave, sink, hob and kettle. For families, the sliding screen in the larger studios is a smart touch.

Hotel Sozo

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Double bedroom in church like room at Hotel Sozo with stain glass window
Courtesy of Hotel Sozo / Expedia

A 19th-century chapel converted into a four-star boutique hotel, Hotel Sozo takes the prize for Nantes’ most unique hotel. Its masterful design blends the church’s original features (such as vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows) with slick, modern decor and crisp, white sheets. The historic setting is counterbalanced with all the necessary mod-cons, and each room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine, phone dock and HD TV. Room service is also available 24/7.

La Pérouse

Hotel

Light and airy seating area at La Pérouse with cow skin chair, mannequin of woman and stone walls
Courtesy of La Pérouse / Expedia

La Pérouse is perfectly situated for exploring the city, with its prime location in central Nantes; one of the main tram routes is right on its doorstep, and the Tour Bretagne is a short stroll away. Housed in a sleek 20th-century building, rooms are bright, spacious and airy, with hardwood floors and subtle decor. Eco-conscious travellers can also sleep easy, as the hotel was one of the first in the city to receive an EU Ecolabel, plus the breakfast buffet is packed with organic goodies as well.

Hotel OKKO Nantes Château

Hotel

Seating area at Hotel OKKO Nantes Château with low lighting
Courtesy of Hotel OKKO Nantes Château / Expedia

One of seven Olivier Devys-designed OKKO hotels in France, the Hotel OKKO Nantes Château offers four-star luxury with a reasonable price tag. It is a few minutes’ walk from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Conceived as a relaxing space for travellers to unwind, the minimalist decor, generously sized rooms and Italian cotton bedspreads prioritise comfort. The attentive staff and meticulous service are what makes the hotel special, plus the public lounge area called Le Club serves free wine, beer and canapés in the evening.

Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes

Boutique Hotel, Chain Hotel

Grand dining area at Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes
Courtesy of Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes / Expedia

Once a courthouse, this imposing Neoclassical building has been transformed inside by renowned French architect Jean-Philippe Nuel. There’s a grand piano setting the mood in the wide open À Partager restaurant, which allows you to admire the original architecture, including doric columns and high ornamental ceilings. You’ll also enjoy the sight on your plate, especially if you order pastry chef Emmanuel Lebreton’s signature îles flottantes (meringue floating on crème anglaise).

Hotel Voltaire Opéra

Hotel

A cosy one-bed guest room with a black-and-white feature wall at Hotel Voltaire Opéra Nantes Centre
Courtesy of Hotel Voltaire Opéra Nantes Centre / Expedia

Right by Place Graslin, the Hotel Voltaire Opéra offers a central location without the noise of downtown, and it’s just a 15-minute walk to the Machines de l’Île. Dating back to the 19th century, the hotel has a long-standing reputation for service, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value hotel in such a convenient location. The 37 rooms feature large windows, plush bedding and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

L’Hotel

Hotel

Opposite the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, L’Hotel is a great value hotel in a convenient location for sightseeing on foot. With dark walls and atmospheric lighting, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into a bar, rather than a hotel. But inside, the rooms are bright and modern, albeit a little on the small side. Superior rooms are worth the upgrade for a view over the castle.

Surprenantes – Jules Verne

Hotel, Apartment

Stylish double bedroom in Surprenantes – Jules Verne with muted colour palette and white linen
Courtesy of Surprenantes – Jules Verne / Expedia

Perched on the banks of the Loire River, opposite the Île de Nantes, the Surprenantes – Jules Verne is a fitting complement to the neighbouring Machines de l’Île. Taking its inspiration from the wild creations and fantastical world of Jules Verne, the hotel is a series of one-bed apartments with eclectic themes like La Pêcherie Imaginaire (The Imaginary Fishery), La Cabane du Capitaine Nemo (Captain Nemo’s Cabin) and De la Terre à la Lune (From the Earth to the Moon). The repurposed warehouses have been transformed into urban design masterpieces, making use of recycled materials, antique furniture and unique structural elements. They have to be seen to be believed.

Hôtel Mercure Nantes Centre Passage Pommeraye

Boutique Hotel, Chain Hotel

A boutique hotel with a creative side, Hotel Pommeraye is an elegant choice. Its colourful artworks and four “artist’s rooms” – each designed by a different local artist – are a fun touch. Better yet is the location, which is at the entrance to the Grand Passage Pommeraye, Nantes’ most beautiful shopping gallery, and at the centre of the lively Graslin Quarter. Enjoy the continental breakfast each morning for a surcharge.

Oceania Hotel de France

Hotel

Stylish double bedroom at Oceania Hotel de France with muted colour palette and view of city
Courtesy of Oceania Hotel de France / Expedia

Step inside the bar at the Oceania Hotel de France, and you’ll instantly know this is a hotel that likes to make a statement – think regal pink furnishings, zebra-print wallpaper and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The rooms follow a more muted colour palette but are equally stylish, with parquet floors and plenty of natural light. Everything you’d expect from a four-star hotel is also available, including room service, a small gym and private parking.

Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre

Boutique Hotel

Lobby at Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre with modern furniture
Courtesy of Seven Urban Suites Nantes Centre / Expedia

Located in the heart of the city on the Île de Nantes, you are a five-minute cab ride away from Les Machines de L’Île amusement park. The innovation continues back at the hotel, where the lobby bar’s novel wine pouring machine is said to aerate the wine and put it in your glass at the optimal temperature. The wellness and relaxation area includes a jacuzzi and sauna and can be hired by the hour.

Alexis James contributed additional reporting to this article.

None of these take your fancy? Discover our guide to the best hotels in Nantes for every traveller and book now on Culture Trip.

About the author

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer based in the Vendée, France. She is a blogger and copywriter for TripAdvisor and Viator, a writer and researcher for the Rough Guides guidebooks, and has written for numerous print and online publications including The Telegraph, Journeys Magazine, and Horse and Rider.

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