2 Best Hotels in Brittany, France

Perched on a cliff overlooking the surf and the narrow Anse de Goulphar Bay, this 1970s-era hotel was François Mitterrand's address when he vacationed on Belle-Île and it still retains presidential glamour, with its renowned spa, saltwater pool, and spectacular views. In the bright, airy restaurant, chef Franck Moisan specializes in seafood, caught just offshore. The herb-crusted turbot and the line-caught sea bass are simple but delicious. Castel Clara's expansive wooden-deck terrace is the perfect lounging spot for cocktails at sundown.

At the tip of the magical Pen Lan Peninsula, this luxurious collection of 15th- and 16th-century Breton stone buildings resembles a tiny village—albeit one surrounded by terraced gardens that promise grand vistas of the Baie de Vilaine (Vilaine Bay). Once you step through the 13th-century "Portail de la Verité" entryway, the public areas entice with Baroque ex-votos, Louis Treize chairs, rock-face fireplaces, and plate-glass windows; guest rooms sparkle with checked fabrics, veneered woods, and modern furnishings. Chef Maxime Nouail rules the restaurant, which has a straightforward, classical menu. For a different type of indulgence, head to the spectacular Aqua Phénicia, which has a full spectrum of seawater hydrotherapy facilities and a gigantic indoor pool.