Built a century ago as a private house, this belle époque mansion (Relais & Chateaux) was turned into a hotel by François André in 1926: he named it after his wife. It stands in a large garden (with pine trees, white parasols and loungers) across the road from La Baule's magnificent sandy beach. It was found 'marvellous, relaxing' by a recent visitor. 'The staff were superb. Our attractive room faced the garden.' In the beamed restaurant, 'the food and service were so good that we ate in every night' (Michelin star for Éric Mignard). There are antiques in public areas and in the bedrooms (some are large and sumptuous, with heavily patterned matching wallpaper and bedspread). Breakfast has 'a good buffet' and cooked dishes. The hotel offers an hour's free tennis each day, an hour of golf, and an hour of watersports, plus bicycles are available free of charge. There is a casino and disco and a Centre de Thalassothérapie, and guests have access to the swimming pools at the nearby sister hotels, Regina and Hermitage. The valet parking is 'a boon' in season (€15 per day).