FAQ – Castelbrac Hotel in Dinard

The Castelbrac Hotel is located at 17 Avenue George V in Dinard (Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany), perched on a cliffside by the sea, overlooking the stunning Bay of Saint-Malo. It’s an exceptional location from which to explore the Emerald Coast and its surroundings.

Dinard is accessible by car from Paris (about 4 hours) or Rennes (45 minutes). Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo Airport offers direct flights from several French and European cities. The nearest train station is Saint-Malo, about a 20-minute drive away. The hotel also offers a Tesla shuttle service (by reservation, subject to availability, and for a fee).

Yes. The Castelbrac Hotel has a secure, partially covered private parking lot on site, with valet service and video surveillance. It is equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles. Reservations are required. Rate: €30 per night. Street parking is also available near the hotel.

The hotel is ideally located for exploring the Emerald Coast: Saint-Malo and its ramparts (just a few minutes away by ferry), Cancale and its oysters, Cap Fréhel, Fort La Latte, the Ébihens archipelago, as well as the islands of Cézembre and Grand Bé. The Clair de Lune promenade and a lookout point with a view of Saint-Malo are accessible directly from the hotel. Also worth noting: a 17-km bike path and greenway connecting Dinard to Dinan, a casino, and beaches in the immediate vicinity.

The Castelbrac Hotel traces its origins to Villa Bric à Brac, built by the English Faber family, the founders of Dinard. The villa later hosted Scottish Colonel Robert William Hamilton, followed by the cream of French scientific research from the National Museum of Natural History, including the famous Commander Charcot. Transformed into a hotel in 2015, Castelbrac is now much more than just a place to stay: it is a true place of remembrance and a refuge for the soul.

Castelbrac was born from a project by Lydwine and Yann Bucaille, who are in love with Dinard. Their goal: to breathe new life into this iconic site while preserving its authenticity, and to introduce their guests to the sublime bay of Saint-Malo. They envisioned Castelbrac as a “Refuge for the Soul,” a unique place of renewal where hospitality is at the heart of every detail.

The Castelbrac Hotel is a member of Vertu Hotels & Resorts, listed as a Serandipians by Traveller Made property, and a Tempting Places partner. The hotel has been awarded 2 Michelin Keys. The Pourquoi Pas restaurant has held one Michelin star since 2019 and has been awarded two Gault & Millau toques. The hotel is also committed to the Green Attitude initiative, which promotes ethical and environmentally responsible practices.

The hotel has 23 rooms and suites, all with ocean views. Decorated by architect and interior designer Sandra Benhamou in a refined Art Deco style, they offer a warm atmosphere and high-end amenities.

Yes. All 23 rooms and suites at the Castelbrac Hotel face the sea, offering an exceptional view of the Bay of Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast.

Yes, all rooms and suites are equipped with air conditioning to ensure your comfort year-round.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property on a secure network.

Yes. Some of our rooms feature a private outdoor area: the Deluxe Balcony with Ocean View and Prestige Terrace with Ocean View rooms. Please feel free to specify your preference when making your reservation, subject to availability.

Yes. The Castelbrac Hotel has 2 rooms accessible to guests with limited mobility, both in the Superior Sea View category. Given their limited availability, we strongly recommend that you contact our front desk at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00 or info@castelbrac.com before making a reservation to confirm their availability for your desired dates.

No, pets are not allowed at the Castelbrac Hotel.

Yes. The Pourquoi Pas restaurant, led by Chef Julien Hennote, invites you on a culinary journey featuring inventive cuisine that showcases local ingredients. Awarded a Michelin star since 2019 and two Gault & Millau toques, it offers a spectacular view of Saint-Malo Bay from its panoramic terrace.

The Pourquoi Pas restaurant is open from Wednesday evening through Sunday evening. Lunch is served from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., and dinner is served from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Yes, the restaurant has a panoramic terrace overlooking the Bay of Saint-Malo, which is ideal for enjoying an exceptional meal overlooking the emerald sea, weather permitting.

You can make a reservation by phone at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00, by email at info@castelbrac.com, or directly online at our website www.castelbrac.com (under the "Reserve a Table" section).

Yes, the Pourquoi Pas restaurant welcomes both hotel guests and outside visitors, by reservation.

Housed in the former aquarium of the National Museum of Natural History (open to the public from 1934 to 1992), Bar l'Aquarium is decorated in the Art Deco style, inspired by the marine world. It offers an extensive drink menu, appetizers, and the Aquarium’s signature dishes for a casual lunch. Open 7 days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Yes. Every day, the Salon Charcot offers a menu of hot and cold beverages, sweets, and treats to enjoy overlooking the Bay of Saint-Malo in an intimate setting steeped in history. In addition, every afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Salon Charcot offers a Tea Time package for €55, celebrating Dinard’s British heritage combined with the best of Brittany, presented in four courses: signature savory dishes, scones served Breton-style, seasonal sorbet, and sweet treats, accompanied by a beverage of your choice.

The Charcot Lounge features a remarkable mural gilded with fine gold, depicting Commander Charcot’s expedition to Antarctica. With its splendid ocean view, it’s the perfect spot for a cozy get-together with family or friends. Open 7 days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Breakfast is not automatically included in the room rate. It depends on the package you select at the time of booking. On our website, you can view the amenities included in each of our offers by clicking on the details of the available packages. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our front desk.

Breakfast is served at the Pourquoi Pas gourmet restaurant from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Starting at 10:00 a.m., an express breakfast is available at the Bar de l'Aquarium. Breakfast is also available via room service from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for an additional charge of €10 per person.

Yes, breakfast is available to guests who are not staying at the hotel, subject to prior reservation and availability. To make a reservation, please contact our front desk at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00.

Yes. Castelbrac features a swimming lane heated to 28°C, open year-round and reserved exclusively for our guests staying at the hotel. Overlooking Prieuré Bay and the Clair de Lune promenade, it offers an exceptional view of the sea in a setting of complete privacy. A sun deck completes this space. Above the pool, a changing room is also available for guests.

Hours of operation:

● April–September: open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

● October–March: open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Nestled within the historic walls of the former Dinard Aquarium, overlooking the sea, our two Spa Suites invite you into a timeless world. Treatments are offered in collaboration with Yon-Ka Paris, a pioneer in aromatherapy since 1954. The menu includes body and facial rituals (Sleep Therapy, Jardin d’Orient, Absolu Corps, Rituel Ultime), customized facial treatments (Essential Treatment, Iconic Treatment, Soin Jeunesse, Soin d’Exception), body massages (Castelbrac, Mahana, Foot Reflexology, Shiatsu, Future Mom), and body treatments (Custom Scrub, Sublime Back). Each ritual concludes with a virgin cocktail overlooking the sea. The treatment rooms are open daily, by reservation, and available to both our hotel guests and outside clients. Reservations can be made by phone at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00, by email at info@castelbrac.com, or on planity.com.

Yes, the hotel offers its guests access to a hammam in addition to a spa treatment reservation, subject to prior reservation and availability.

Yes. The Saint-Gabriel Chapel is the heart of Castelbrac. Located in the most beautiful spot on the hotel grounds, between the sky and the sea, it is open to everyone for a moment of serenity and contemplation.

The hotel offers access to a wide range of activities: swimming in the lap pool, walks along the Clair de Lune promenade, electric bike rentals, a 17-km greenway bike path, and access to nearby beaches and the casino. Sightseeing tours can be arranged by our concierge service, which can also provide you with contact information for local guides to help you explore the surrounding area.

Yes. Castelbrac is the only hotel in Brittany to have its own private motorboat, the Fou de Bassan, which can accommodate up to 9 guests on board. These services are open to everyone—both hotel guests and outside visitors—from April through October, weather permitting. Fuel and the skipper are included in the rates. Several options are available: à la carte cruises (1 to 5 hours, starting at €250) or half-day excursions (4 hours — €750) and full-day excursions (8 hours — €1,500). The captain also offers custom cruises on a la carte basis: the Bay of Saint-Malo and its coastal forts, Cap Fréhel, the Chausey Archipelago, or a trip up the Rance River to Dinan. Reservations must be made exclusively through the hotel front desk, and a credit card is required at the time of booking. Cancellations are free of charge up to two days before the trip.

Yes. The Laboratoire is a space dedicated to professional events overlooking the Bay of Saint-Malo. It can accommodate up to 12 people and is equipped with a projector, a flip chart, and HDMI connectivity. A coffee break and relaxation area rounds out this unique setting, ideal for your executive committee meetings, meetings, seminars, and workshops.

You can submit your request for a quote directly through our website, www.castelbrac.com (under the "Meetings & Events" section), or contact our team by phone at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00 or by email at info@castelbrac.com.

Yes, the hotel can be partially or fully reserved for exceptional private or business events. Please contact our team to discuss your plans.

We recommend that you book directly on our official website, www.castelbrac.com, to take advantage of our best rate guarantee. You can also contact us by phone at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00 or by email at info@castelbrac.com. The front desk is open 24 hours a day.

Yes. Our official store lets you order gift sets online for any occasion: getaways, dinners at the Pourquoi Pas gourmet restaurant, treatments at the Suite Spa by Yon-Ka, cruises aboard the Fou de Bassan, or even gift certificates for any amount. Secure ordering, immediate digital delivery, and home delivery available in a gift envelope. Visit our store at castelbrac.secretbox.fr, or click the direct “Give a Gift” link at the top of our website at www.castelbrac.com.

Reservations for gift certificate holders must be made exclusively by phone through our front desk team at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00. This applies to all types of gift certificates: stays, dinners at the Pourquoi Pas restaurant, or treatments at the Wellness Suites.

Rooms are available from 4:00 p.m. on the day of arrival and must be vacated by 11:00 a.m. on the day of departure. If you have any special requests regarding your check-in or check-out times, please feel free to contact our front desk at +33 (0)2 99 80 30 00.

The Castelbrac Hotel accepts cash, credit cards (Eurocard, Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and American Express), as well as ANCV vacation checks in paper form only, which are intended solely for payment of stays.

Yes, the Castelbrac Hotel is a completely smoke-free establishment.

Yes. Castelbrac enjoys an excellent reputation and is one of Dinard’s most renowned luxury establishments. Travelers particularly appreciate:

● its exceptional location overlooking the sea

● the warm hospitality

● the elegance of the rooms

● the restaurant’s gourmet dining experience

● the hotel’s intimate and rejuvenating atmosphere

Castelbrac has received excellent ratings across all major review platforms:

● Google: 4.7/5 based on 749 reviews — View Google reviews

● Booking.com: 9.2/10 based on 293 reviews — View Booking.com reviews

● Expedia: 9.6/10 based on 120 reviews — View Expedia reviews

● TripAdvisor: 4.7/5 based on 751 reviews — View TripAdvisor reviews

● The Fork — Restaurant Le Pourquoi Pas: 9.2/10 based on 316 reviews — View The Fork reviews

Castelbrac is especially recommended for:

● a romantic weekend in Dinard

● a wellness getaway by the sea

● a gourmet getaway

● a luxury stay on the Emerald Coast