From the moment we arrived, the Hôtel de l’Abbaye encompassed everything we were craving and more: poised quietly in serene wooded parkland, this restored former house truly is the epitome of peace, relaxation and country living. The endless charm of the establishment, from its exposed oak beams and fireplaces to its picturesque stone walls, instantly caught us under its bewitching Breton spell.
I was hoping for an equally tranquil setting in our room, and I wasn’t disappointed. As light streamed in through the windows onto the delightfully elegant modern décor, I had to stop myself from immediately collapsing into the comfortable fresh sheets of the king sized bed. But, as my husband duly reminded me, sleep could wait: we had yet to explore the rest of our tranquil haven.
And I was glad I’d been unwillingly dragged from the comfort of our room: whilst wandering around the hotel, we uncovered an unexpected hidden gem. An outdoor swimming pool lay composedly in the grounds, and we gladly spent a contented afternoon lounging on deckchairs, with nothing to disturb us but the gentle twittering of the birds. It’s safe to say that we’d already been won over by this superb establishment, but it wasn’t until our first evening that it played its trump card. The hotel’s chef clearly takes pride in his menu, and with good reason; we were both delighted with the mouth-watering meals made from local ingredients and even more enchanted by the magnificent view overlooking the lake: a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds!
But the biggest treat of all was unequivocally the location. Just 20 minutes outside of Saint-Malo and nearby the charming towns of Dinard, Dinan and the renowned Mont Saint-Michel, the hotel served as a perfect base for discovering the jewels of the wondrous Emerald coast and beyond. If we were looking for peace, quiet and a more relaxed pace of life, we certainly found it!