ResidHome Apparthôtel les Berges de la Loire ★★★★

Nantes is a vibrant city and there’s a definite buzz in the air when we arrive in the evening. Being a port and a student town, Nantes rarely sleeps and offers a whole range of after-dark activities from the opera to fabulous restaurants and from circuses to evening exhibitions. During the day there’s no less variety with a Gothic Cathedral, Neo-Classical shopping arcade and fantastic museums. Let’s be honest, a city that boasts a gigantic bird’s nest bar on the 32nd floor and a huge mechanical elephant that wanders the streets definitely has a sense of fun.

Hoping to experience some of the fun, we rented an apartment in the Residhome Aparthotel, on the banks of the Loire. It bears a resemblance to New York’s Flatiron building, but it’s slightly more colourful – fitting for such a playful city. Being just a short walk from Nantes railway station, and a 15 minute drive from the airport, it’s a great location. It may not be the most glamorous part of the city – sandwiched between the business and residential districts – but we are a ten minute walk from all the charms of Nantes city centre, like the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, or the Beaulieu Shopping Centre. Last but not least, the hotel offers free parking which is a luxury in a city centre hotel.

The interiors are considerably more chic and luxurious then you might imagine from the exterior. The hotel has 146 studio and two-room apartments. Ours was comfortable and fully equipped, with stunning views of the Loire, and we began by filling the kitchen cupboards full of the goodies we’d brought with us. We plan to visit the Marché de Talensac to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables, locals cheeses and of course delectable viennoiserie while we’re here, but for the first evening we’re comfortably ensconced and there’s even a mini supermarket in the hotel in case we’ve forgotten anything. The apartment is well-thought-out and the decor is simple and chic in white and soft neutrals. You have a flat screen TV and wi-fi if you want to catch up with the outside world, and a comfortable bed to collapse into if you don’t. Get your holiday off to a relaxing start by heading down to the chic bar area. Its dark grey furnishings are lifted with blues and feature lighting, and huge windows look onto the river: the perfect place to enjoy a chilled local Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley.

Buffet breakfast is plentiful and will set you up nicely for a day exploring Nantes. A walk beside the Loire on the Quai Malakoff will take you to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Continue on towards St. Peter's Square and its gigantic St. Peter and St. Paul's Gothic Cathedral. Stop for lunch in Le Lieu Unique, the former LU biscuit factory which has become an arts centre that boasts the largest Turkish bath in France. There’s so much to see and do in this city you’ll be spoilt for choice; will it be the Passage Pommerage, a 19th century Neoclassical shopping arcade, or the Jules Verne Museum next? Or perhaps you’ll choose a ride in Nantes’ famous 40ft mechanical elephant which can carry up to 50 people? You can’t leave Nantes without trying it!