Radisson Blu Dunkirk - beachside hotel with breakfast and spa

If you already know something of the transformative powers of being on the coast, imagine what it’s like staying in a brand-spanking-new destination hotel designed to immerse guests in the sight of it 24/7. Whether you’re in the Radisson Blu Dunkirk’s bar, enjoying breakfast, on your balcony or terrace, or even in your luxury bathroom, seascape views are cinematically eyepopping. And that’s not all: your package includes 90 blissful minutes in the hotel’s impressive spa – with luxury pool, sensory hot-cold fountain, steam room, sauna and ‘salt cave’ that replicates rich sea air, gifting you restorative calcium, magnesium and potassium. If you fancy tagging on an additional special treat, why not book up an indulgent massage for two as well?

The same relaxed vibe extends to your superior room, equipped with sea-facing balcony or terrace, king-size bed plus high-end fixtures, fittings, and accessories – all lifted by the natural opalescent light you only get by being this close to the shore.

If you can’t prize yourselves away from the room (and who could blame you with this view?), robes and a bottle of champagne on room service make a pretty good combination. But if on the other hand you can, the wealth of surprises on the hotel’s doorstep won’t disappoint: take long and romantic walks along these shipwreck shores; feast your eyes on pops of colour and thought-provoking sculpture at the LAAC contemporary art venue; join the locals wading in wetsuits; climb the imposing Saint Eloi belfry for views; or get on board the Duchesse-Anne – France’s biggest visitable sailing ship. Our last word of advice? Be sure to watch Christopher Nolan’s epic film ‘Dunkirk’ before you come… the incredible villas you see in the opening scenes are right here.

Breakfast is designed to set you up for a day’s exploring (think pancakes made to order, bacon and omelettes, fresh breakfast pastries, and smoothies to ease the conscience!) and when it comes to dinner, the hotel’s restaurant ‘L'Opale’ is an excellent choice. Here chef Charles Bruneval shows off his inventive use of local ingredients in dishes such as ‘Moules de Dunkerques’ (juicy Dunkirk mussels), ‘Risotto de Champignons’ (risotto made with local mushrooms) and ‘Douceur Chocolatée Croustillant’ (a mouthwateringly textured and seasalted chocolate lover’s dessert). If you’d prefer to stroll out for dinner, our recommendation’s a sea-view table at ‘Le Dona’, a relaxed-vibe fish restaurant with a great reputation just a little way down the prom.