Hotel De Toiras

“Hotel de Toiras”

There are hotels that offer comfort, and there are hotels that create memories. Hôtel de Toiras belongs unmistakably to the latter. Standing gracefully on the historic harbour of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Hôtel de Toiras is not simply an elegant Relais & Châteaux property—it is a living chapter of the i… Più

There are hotels that offer comfort, and there are hotels that create memories. Hôtel de Toiras belongs unmistakably to the latter. Standing gracefully on the historic harbour of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Hôtel de Toiras is not simply an elegant Relais & Châteaux property—it is a living chapter of the island’s remarkable history. Once an important international trading port linking France with England and the wider world, Saint-Martin-de-Ré still carries the echoes of maritime adventure and cultural exchange. The hotel embraces this heritage with remarkable intelligence. Each suite bears the name of a historical figure connected to the island’s past; my own, the Duke of Buckingham Suite, was more than a room—it was an invitation to travel through time. What distinguishes Hôtel de Toiras is its rare understanding of understated luxury. Nothing is ostentatious; everything is exquisitely measured. Elegance is expressed through refinement rather than display, where every fabric, every antique, every architectural detail tells a story without ever raising its voice. History is lovingly preserved while modern comfort is seamlessly woven into every experience. Each morning began with a blessing. Opening the windows onto the picturesque harbour, watching fishing boats awaken alongside the gentle rhythm of island life, I felt as though the sea itself was welcoming a new day. In the evening, the same harbour transformed into a living painting, illuminated by the golden light of sunset, where reflections danced upon the water and every passerby became part of an ever-changing masterpiece. Yet true luxury is never measured by beautiful rooms alone. It is measured by humanity. The team at Hôtel de Toiras embodies hospitality with remarkable grace. Their welcome is warm yet discreet, attentive without intrusion, professional yet deeply sincere. Every gesture carries quiet confidence and genuine care. The most touching moment came not during my stay, but at my departure. As we prepared to leave early in the morning, our car had been meticulously cleaned without being requested. A thoughtfully prepared basket filled with freshly baked croissants and seasonal fruits awaited us for the journey ahead. These are gestures that cannot be prescribed by hospitality manuals. They arise from a culture of generosity and an instinctive understanding that true luxury lies in anticipating a guest’s unspoken needs. Hôtel de Toiras is therefore far more than a destination. It is a guardian of Île de Ré’s history, a celebration of French elegance, and a place where hospitality becomes an art of memory. One departs carrying much more than beautiful photographs. One leaves with a profound feeling of having belonged, however briefly, to the timeless soul of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Some hotels impress us during our stay. Hôtel de Toiras continues to accompany us long after we have returned home. That, perhaps, is the highest expression of hospitality: transforming a journey into a cherished memory, and leaving every guest with the quiet certainty that one day, they must return.

Meno

“Perfect Christmas - perfect stay”

A wonderful and very special stay at this charming hotel. We wanted a quiet and peaceful Christmas together with our teenage son and dogs, after an eventful year and this was perfect in every way. Thank you. Staff so kind and attentive, amazing food prepared with such care and talent and supreme ef… Più

A wonderful and very special stay at this charming hotel. We wanted a quiet and peaceful Christmas together with our teenage son and dogs, after an eventful year and this was perfect in every way. Thank you. Staff so kind and attentive, amazing food prepared with such care and talent and supreme effort made to have a spectacular chocolate birthday cake for our son. The dogs were comfortable and happy and always made welcome. An unforgettable 5 nights and the island is magical.

Meno

“Underwhelming for the cost”

We arrived tired after a long drive and were shown to our room by a cheery helpful young lady. The room had the bathroom crammed into a mezzanine floor and the loo downstairs. The staircase was difficult to use and would be absolutely impossible for the elderly. The bed was comfy and the view w… Più

We arrived tired after a long drive and were shown to our room by a cheery helpful young lady. The room had the bathroom crammed into a mezzanine floor and the loo downstairs. The staircase was difficult to use and would be absolutely impossible for the elderly. The bed was comfy and the view was out over rooftops behind the hotel. Breakfast was good on the one occasion we went. Off site parking for €30/night was a proper pain in the derrière with a ten minute walk if you forgot something or when no-one knew where the keys were. Dinner in Georges Restaurant started badly when the young lady announced that she didn’t make cocktails and didn’t have any lemon for a Bloody Mary. Turns out that it is hotel policy not to offer cocktails because of the time taken to make them. 5* Hotel? Really? We sat completely alone in an empty restaurant for the entire meal, hence the atmosphere was a strong 1/5. Having looked at the menu beforehand we knew that prices were high, but it’s a Michelin restaurant so perhaps to be expected? Oysters were watery examples, the complimentary offerings were very good, but the lukewarm lobster and spaghetti didn’t really taste of much, although the lobster was actually well cooked €95. Plum and choux buns easily the best dish on offer, skilful and delicious. Service throughout was excellent, but not difficult when you are sitting in the Marie Celeste! I did try to engage with the chef and compliment him where appropriate, but that didn’t really work. Goodbye just short of €500. Would you return, probably not.

Meno

“Very expensive for the size of room”

We have never been to Ile de Re before so didn't know what to expect. We paid a very high rate per night for a very small room here and had high expectations of what we would get for that rate. It seems that this area is just extremely expensive in the summer. The hotel welcome was very nice and… Più

We have never been to Ile de Re before so didn't know what to expect. We paid a very high rate per night for a very small room here and had high expectations of what we would get for that rate. It seems that this area is just extremely expensive in the summer. The hotel welcome was very nice and the young lady who took us to our room was lovely. You are given a code to access the hotel area as cars are generally not allowed and then staff take the car to a garage to store (for a fee). The hotel is very small but immaculate and pretty. Our room was a garden room and very small for the rate we paid. You could just about walk around the bed. We hadn't appreciated that breakfast was not included and it was expensive per item consumed - staff took pity on us and charged a slightly lower rate - we had forgotten that breakfast was not included in our rate given how much it was. The area near the hotel is very pretty but there is not really much to do unless you like cycling to explore other areas.

Meno