Hotel de la Côte Fleurie

The Côte Fleurie is situated on Deauville's main thoroughfare, avenue de la République. There is little of great interest in the immediate vicinity of the hotel but just a few streets away are the principal shops, restaurants and cafés of the resort while the seafront is just 10 minutes away by foot. The Deauville-Trouville railway station is at the end of the road across the river, just a five minute walk away and the Deauville St. Gatien Airport is just over 4 miles away.

The hotel opened with its current owner, Madame Jean, at the helm in 2008 but has been a hotel for around 20 years. You'll notice around the hotel and in the rooms a series of modern paintings; these were actually all done by Madame Jean. The name of the hotel comes from that given to the Calvados coastline which incorporates many a seaside resort, including of course, Deauville. None of the rooms at the Côte Fleurie have air conditioning, however, fans and heaters are available upon request.

The hotel is housed in an unremarkable Norman house along the main road and can be recognised by its sky blue timbers and front door. You enter in the hallway with the staircase right in front of you but what you're looking for is the reception area off to the left. Resembling slightly a dentist's waiting room with a white leather couch and a coffee table piled with magazines, the small lobby also features a bookcase with travel books, the reception desk on whose front is painted some plant types and a large stained glass window which gives onto the street. In any case, the space is welcoming and is somewhere to relax in the evening with a cold beverage (non-alcoholic).

At the back of the hotel is a beautiful little garden, well attended to, with several sets of tables and chairs for all guests to enjoy at all times of the day when the weather allows. Everyone is welcome to come and listen to the birds chirping amongst the plants hedges and wall creepers but remember that some rooms give onto the garden so discretion is appreciated.

The hotel doesn't have any fitness or wellness facilities of its own but does have a partnership with a local centre, Algotherm, of which details can be found in the reception.

The common areas of the hotel are all kept in good condition and getting to your room is simple enough - it's just like reaching your bedroom at home! Those who have trouble negotiating stairs should know that the hotel doesn't have a lift so if this is a problem either ask for a ground floor room or be advised to look elsewhere. There is complimentary wifi throughout the hotel.

The 15 rooms at the Côte Fleurie are each named after a flower, indicated by a simple painting on the front door. They are divided into several categories according to the number of beds, view and size. Each one has been individually decorated and has a character of its own. Many rooms have murals while others have feature wallpapers (some floral, some striped) and there are several colour schemes available. The furniture in each room is fairly basic, but usually includes a desk, table and chairs and a wardrobe. Flatscreen televisions re to be found in every room, as is a telephone, and there are neither minibars nor air conditioning. All of the superior rooms give on to the garden and three of those rooms have either a terrace or balcony (these rooms are highly recommended). Several of the rooms have a spare bed (in some cases stored underneath the main bed) which is great for small families or groups of friends. Some rooms at the top of the hotel, as well as having mansard roofs, have good views of the surrounding areas of Touques and St. Arnoult. The white-tiled bathrooms are all spotless, if not showing a little wear and tear, and have basic toiletries and hairdryers. The smaller rooms have shower cubicles while most have a bathtub/shower combination.

The Côte Fleurie has a delightful little breakfast room at the front of the hotel which, like the reception area, has a stained glass window giving on to the road (although you can't actually see through it). A handful of carefully laid, glass-topped tables with floral crockery are placed in front of a counter on which is laid a continental breakfast buffet. Breakfast can equally be taken in your room at no extra charge or even in the garden.