Planning to stay in one of these towns for a few days.
Any suggestions as to which one? why?
I'll welcome any recommendations for hotels and restaurants.

I stayed in St Malo mainly because I wanted to visit Mont St Michel and Dinan (a beautiful medieval town approx 45 mins on the local bus). Found it a lovely place especially inside the walls. I stayed at the Ibis on the sea front about 5 mins walk outside the walls, was alot cheaper than inside.
Hope this helps.

St-Malo is a bigger and older town with much better transport links. Dinard is an attractive, sedate holiday resort which flourished in the late-19th and early-20th century, but it's very quiet for most of the year. There are buses between Dinard and St-Malo, and a ferry service in summer.
There are numerous hotels and restaurants in St-Malo. Hotels inside the walls tend to be a bit more expensive, but most of the restaurants are also there.

St Malo, I've done both and the city is more fun

We stayed inside the walls at St Malo, at the Hotel Le Nautilus. I don't remember what we paid but it wouldn't have been expensive. Rooms were clean and cheerful and a nice breakfast was served in the ground floor dining area. Friendly and helpful owners. We loved St Malo, don't miss walking along the walls for the great views. From memory there are loads of restaurants but can't remember any names. We just strolled along looking at menus to see what we fancied.

Kay

Om St Malo we enjoyed a lunch at le Bistro de Jean. We were glad we had reserved; the place was packed with people who work nearby. I think they close about two weeks over the holidays.

The caramels au beurre salee from Vincent Guella are pretty good.

Thanks to all. We'll stay in St Malo and visit Dinard.
My wife loves walled sections of town.
Arnie

Arnie

Suggest you stay in St. Malo, but do try to get to Dinan, probably by bus unless you have a rental car...Dinard, as one poster mentioned, is a more sedate oceanside resort. The tide goes so far out you can walk the hardpack forever. They even have the customary tea dances in the pavillion. We stayed at the old Bristol in St. M. but you can do better.
stu tower

I think St-Malo is the better choice. I've stayed there a dozen or more times over the years. Dinard is worth a visit for a couple of hours at most.
Dinan can be reached by bus. This is the website for the bus services of the area:
www.illenoo-services.fr
There are summer boat trips to Dinard, Dinan and other places (www.compagniecorsaire.com).