Our Getaway to the Water’s Edge at Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet

We pull up in front of a sleek building, tucked into the sand. Right away, we’re enveloped by the presence of the sea, like a comforting hug and an invitation to wellness. To our west, Le Touquet – a charming, dynamic resort town with a cinema, museum, bike paths, shops and even an international airport. To the east, boundless waters.

This same view greets us when we step through the front door into the lobby. The hotel has made the most of its stunning location, framing its vistas of the Channel with glass walls across much of the property. The result? An airy – almost ethereal – space, bathed in sunlight, with plenty of natural materials that blend perfectly into the environment. There’s no reception desk, so as we wait for our room keys, we simply settle into one of the elegant wooden loungers and bask in this cocooning ambiance.

In contrast to the retro seaside charm of Le Touquet, this hotel lobby offers a luminous and modern space, with a wall of windows at one end. Even indoors, the sea is all around us – its salty scent, its soothing rhythm, and sand and water as far as the eye can see. We’re reminded of the works of Nicolas de Staël, a French painter known for expressive abstract landscapes. As we wander through this incredible space, this impression just grows stronger.
 

The lobby feels like a multifunctional living area, with high ceilings that lend an air of lightness and a welcoming vibe that invites you to explore. A little further along is the Bar à Bulles, perched slightly higher than the rest of the space. We can already picture ourselves there, cocktail in hand, watching a spectacular sunset beyond the shimmering sand and sea.
 

To get to our room, we take a footbridge with views of the Channel. While crossing, we notice the gentle lapping of the heated seawater pool. We also spot Maison Mer, the hotel’s bistronomic restaurant, and wonder if the food will be as delightful as the views. (As we discover later, the answer's 'yes'!)

We're told that this Novotel is part of a larger complex that also houses an ibis hotel and the Thalassa Sea & Spa Institute. The lobby anchors the three, with receptions for the two hotels and spa, as well as direct access to each.

As we swipe the key card to our room, we can’t wait to see what’s in store. And it doesn’t disappoint. The double bed faces the sea, like a throne. A stunning wall of glass reveals a cosy balcony where we picture ourselves lounging, reading and unwinding.

The colour palette is neutral and light, a natural extension of the sand and water beyond. The wooden furnishings echo those in the lobby, imparting a sense of unity. We particularly love the openwork panelling that begins at the headboard and soars to the ceiling, carving out a snug space.

We hear that the executive rooms feature seaview bathrooms, with an enormous standalone tub, a walk-in shower for two and double vanity sinks. Next time, perhaps? The Opal Coast has definitely cast a spell on us.

It’s almost evening, which means it’s time for an apéritif! We head to Bar à Bulles, joining a mix of other guests – couples who’ve come to enjoy the sunset from the terrace, families looking energised from a day in Le Touquet, and several looking enviably relaxed from their spa treatments. The drinks menu offers plenty of options with or without alcohol, so we settle on some bubbly cocktails to match our lighthearted mood.

Cocktails sipped, we stroll to Maison Mer. The first thing we notice is the open kitchen, which invites us to chat with Chef Yannick Tellier and his team. The setting here is equally gorgeous, with materials and designs that put nature in the spotlight and invite the outdoors in. The dishes do justice to the sea’s bounty, and fish is the menu’s undeniable star. Our favourite? The monkfish tail served with divine sides of rice, red curry and a coconut-milk sauce.

We take a post-dinner stroll, our feet in the sand, and pass near Le Deck, the hotel's beach-level bar. The night air carries the sounds of happy chatter and good cheer, but sleep beckons and we turn in for the evening.

The next day, we wake easily at the thought of breakfast. Whether you opt for decadent or healthy, regional fare is in the spotlight here: spreads from a local artisanal biscuiterie, honey harvested in the Course valley, fresh eggs and yoghurts from a nearby farm, and jams produced in a professional training centre by people with disabilities.

No visit here would be complete without a spa treatment. Thalassa Sea & Spa Institute is a generous, light-filled space facing the beach and featuring a long, glass-covered walkway. In addition to the classics of spas worldwide, it offers a wide range of thalassa – the Greek word for 'sea' – treatment programmes and rituals, plus areas dedicated to physical activities.

We tested the Parcours Marine, a fun session in a pool of heated seawater, and the Rituel sous Pluie Marine, a purifying exfoliation that begins with a loofah scrub and ends with a massage as warm seawater rains down on the body. What a relaxing experience! We were left feeling as light as a cloud.

Couples, take note: The double treatment room and its impressive hydromassage tub overlook the sea for an incredibly romantic experience. There’s also a private hammam.

It’s easy to imagine hosting an event or organising a meeting in this setting. Imagine being able to walk barefoot in the sand to clear your mind before a brainstorming session... what a lovely way to work! We asked around and learnt that there are six meeting rooms, plus areas for cocktail parties and the option to book certain spaces for private events. The idea of ​​holding a conference at a seawater spa is super appealing, wouldn’t you agree?

In the mood for a workout, we decide to check out the gym. Unsurprisingly, it also has a seafront view. We were impressed by the range of high-tech treadmills, stationary bikes and ellipticals. Something you don’t see in every hotel is the WaterRower® rowing machine, a nod to the sea just outside the windows.

A dynamic and welcoming beach town, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is a must-see on the Opal Coast. We're charmed by its riot of colours and appreciate the aromas that waft from the restaurants, whose terraces are never empty. One thing is certain: there’s no danger of boredom here.

For a small resort town, it has exceptional sports facilities. Parc Équestre du Touquet is an expansive space where newbie riders and top-notch jockeys can be found side by side. There’s also the Touquet Tennis Club, one of the oldest clubs in France, with its many outdoor clay courts.

• Spa lovers who love extended wellness getaways and being treated by expert hydrotherapists and aestheticians.
• Families that appreciate heated swimming pools, the many activities available at Le Touquet beach, panoramic suites and parent-baby spa treatments.
• Couples who dream of a romantic and revitalising experience, from the accommodation to the institute.

1. Watch seals frolicking and the setting sun light up the sand from your vantage point on the Bar à Bulles’ terrace.
2. Lose all sense of time as you relax in the heated seawater pool. 
3. Contemplate the ebb and flow of tides over breakfast.
4. Indulge in a couples' spa treatment while facing the sea, and try out the cryotherapy booth.
5. Discover new family activities like land sailing, available in front of the hotel.
   

Address: Front de Mer, Avenue Louison Bobet, 62520 Le Touquet, France
Access: Le Touquet airport (3 km) / Etaples-Le Touquet train station (5 km) / Calais ferry port (50 km)