La Baule lines a large sandy bay between Pornichet and Le Pouliguen, a stone's throw from the Guérande salt marshes and the port of Le Croisic. It's a resort of villas and grand hotels where thalassotherapy is part of the stay. The selection keeps the indoor pools of the palace hotels and thalasso centres, and houses on the peninsula whose pool is heated. I've selected 16 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Appartement face à la mer au Croisic (4.98/5).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
16 places shown
The pool. The listing mentions a heated pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the pool is shared with the rest of the residence and on what dates it's heated.
The pool. Private pool advertised as heated, with jacuzzi and sauna.
The hot tub. Private jacuzzi.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Heating may depend on the season: get it confirmed in writing for your dates.
The pool. Indoor pool advertised as heated, for guests' exclusive use.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Designed for a couple: check the capacity before you book.
The pool. Heated pool advertised in the description.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Check whether heating is included in the price or charged as an extra.
The pool. Residence with two pools, one of them advertised as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask which of the two pools is heated and what its opening hours are.
The pool. Indoor pool advertised as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the covered pool is shared with other chalets on the estate.
The pool. Heated pool advertised in the listing's description.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask the host for the exact heating dates before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool in the spa. Heating not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The rating is based on a small number of reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the spa pool is open access or by reservation.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool open in season, at the Diane Barrière spa. Heating not specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Out of season, only the indoor pool is open: that's the one to count on for swimming.
The pool. Indoor pool and spa area. Heating not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A new place with few ratings: read the latest reviews before you book.
The pool. Heated indoor seawater pool with ocean views, waterfalls, jets and loungers; outdoor pool in season. Sauna and hammam.
The hot tub. Hot tub at the thalasso centre.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is part of the thalasso centre: find out what the access hours are for hotel guests.
The pool. Outdoor pool advertised as heated by Hotels.com.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool open in season, with a full spa. Heating not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the opening hours of the indoor pool, which is shared with the spa.
The pool. Hotels.com lists an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. Heating not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get access to the indoor pool confirmed when you book: details of the facilities are thin on the ground.
The pool. Heated pool advertised in the description.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. I didn't have access to the text of the listing's reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask the host for the exact heating dates before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool open all year round and outdoor pool in season; Staycation describes a panoramic pool on the roof terrace overlooking the harbour. Sauna and hammam.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Book a spa slot if you'd like to enjoy the sauna as well as the pool.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool open in season (heating not specified) and hot tub in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the jacuzzi is available all year and kept heated at all times.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Appartement face à la mer au Croisic (Apartment · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (104 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Mini-villa avec piscine privée, jacuzzi et sauna (4.97/5) and Villa Cocoon, maison pour deux avec piscine intérieure (4.96/5).
None of the places selected in La Baule and on the Guérande peninsula clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Villa Cocoon, maison pour deux avec piscine intérieure, Chalet trois chambres avec piscine intérieure chauffée and Hotel & Spa Amoria La Baule have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in La Baule and on the Guérande peninsula gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Mini-villa avec piscine privée, jacuzzi et sauna, Hôtel Barrière Le Royal La Baule and Relais Thalasso Château des Tourelles also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Best Western Hôtel de la Cité & Spa.
Yes, 6 villas and holiday homes are selected: Mini-villa avec piscine privée, jacuzzi et sauna, Villa Cocoon, maison pour deux avec piscine intérieure and Gîte Ici et Maintenant. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Tulip La Baule Hôtel & Résidence | Seasonal pool only, heating not stated | 8,8/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Adonis La Baule | Seasonal outdoor pool | 8,8/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Best Western Les Aureliades | Seasonal outdoor pool | 8,8/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Logis Hôtel Aquilon | Outdoor pool | 8,0/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Pierre & Vacances Premium Le Domaine de Cramphore | Seasonal outdoor pool | 8,8/10 | Heating not confirmed |
Sources: Hotels.com, Staycation, Airbnb.
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