Of the trio of recommended hotels in Barneville-Carteret, the Hotel des Isles is the only one to have both a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. It benefits, too, from a complete renovation less than 10 years ago and, as a result, the family rooms are actually large enough for a family.
The location in Barneville-Plage is relatively quiet despite the fact that the splendid Blue Flag beach is only just across the Boulevard Maritime. Larger than the co-owned Hotel des Ormes in Carteret on the other side of the harbour, Hotel des Isles is necessarily busier and somewhat less personal.
Yet the muted colours and high quality F & F generate a similar feeling of well-being among its enthusiastic clients. The sound and sight of the sea is ever present and light pervades the pretty restaurant. Understandably, the menus include the best of the day’s catch, albeit with a nod to the owners’ homelands of Brazil and Portugal.
If your stay includes a Friday night, try to allow time for the Barneville’s Saturday market and stock up with delicacies for the larder back home. On longer visits, why not try your hand at sand-yachting on the beach or nip over to Jersey for the day. St Helier is only an hour away on the Carteret ferry.