Here’s a particularly happy hotel. It is set in a quiet, dignified resort on the Calvados coast and faces directly out to sea across a traffic-free promenade. Edwardian villas border the narrow streets that run back from the beach and one gets the impression that the same families have been holidaying here for decades.
Cheaper rooms, some of which could do with an upgrade, have side sea view or overlook the little south-facing garden whereas 314 is a favourite sea-front suite. Its two convertible chairs are obviously a godsend when booked by families.
The newish owners have a cheerful, very professional team in place. This includes chef Mickaêl Lussagnet who runs the well-reputed gourmet restaurant. Half-board dining arrangements allow free choice from the extensive carte, albeit with a few of the more expensive dishes carrying a small supplement.
There’s a small lounge and bar plus a much-cherished, parasol-shaded terrace jutting out over Sword beach. And what a magnificent beach it is. Hard to believe that here, on five miles of golden sand now backed by beach huts, 28,000 courageous British infantrymen landed on 6 June 1944, sustaining less than 650 casualties.