The Radisson Blu Hotel, located in the former courthouse of Nantes, offers an unusual and luxurious experience in one of the most pleasant areas of Nantes.
In this article, we take a look back at our night at the Radisson, with our opinion and all the practical information you need to enjoy the incredible atmosphere of this hotel!
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why stay at the Blu Radisson Nantes
Among the beautiful hotels in Nantes, the Blu Radisson has several qualities for us:
- Its location is for us, one of the best in Nantes. In the immediate vicinity of the city center, but just behind the Graslin and Talensac districts, it reconciles hyperproximity and calm.
- Built and used for 150 years as a courthouse, transforming this building into a luxury hotel was a real (successful) gamble. We'll talk about it in detail right after.
- Occupying a building built in 1852 in the neoclassical style, the hotel offers particularly generous volumes for the rooms and the common areas, with a height under ceiling notably vertiginous.
- Opened in 2014, it offers today's best standards of upscale hotel experience, both in terms of comfort and amenities.
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PLAN YOUR STAY IN Nantes
Itineraries
Visits
Is the Radisson Blu Nantes worth it? Our review
What really makes the charm of the Radisson Blu Nantes is that it occupies the premises of theformer courthouse in Nantes. This 7000m2 building was built for this purpose in 1852, a century when architecture had to be grandiose and when the neoclassical style was still dominant. In the year 2000, the premises were no longer adapted to the functioning of the French justice system, and the courthouse moved to a new building constructed by the star architect Jean Nouvel on the island of Nantes.
After several months of construction, the Radisson Blu Nantes opened in 2012. The interior architect and designer Jean Philippe Nuel, an international reference in the world of luxury hotels, has once again completed a particularly successful renovation. The elements of the judicial universe have been preserved and integrated with modern hotel constraints.
You will have your breakfast in the impressive court of assizes (jurisdiction in which the most serious crimes are judged). You will check in opposite the entrance to the 1st courtroom. You will enjoy the comfortable sofas in the old "salle des pas perdus" where so many Nantes people have waited feverishly for their judgment to fall... A truly unique experience!
But don't think that the atmosphere has remained as cold as it was in the days of justice, the Nuel studio has imagined bright colors andcontrasts to brighten up the whole, without distorting the building.
Seduced by the incredible decor of the Blu Raidsson, we added it to our list of the 12 best hotels to stay in Nantes.
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Decoration and atmosphere
As you can see, what makes the experience at the Radisson Blu Hotel unique is thearchitecture and interior design.
In the common areas, the white of the stone is awakened by some touches of bright colorsaround the triptych pink, red and purple. But no excess, many elements remain in cold colors to preserve the atmosphere of the place, and that, we like!
In the rooms, the atmosphere is very pure with a dominant around the brown, complemented by a yellow-orange elements, which make you feel good and soothed.
The furniture is white and has been designed to fit perfectly in this oversized room. We particularly fell in love with the desk-settee.
The breakfast
Starting your day by enjoying walking into a courtroom is impressive.
Even if the decoration is enough to feed you, take a look at the international buffet.
You can even find some local specialties such as the delicious Nantes cake.
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All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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The equipment
The hotel has a bar that is open until late in the evening. A drink is included in the price of your room. A great opportunity to enjoy the magnificent lobby of the hotel while discovering a Loire wine.
Other services
The hotel has a partnership with the "Aquatonic Nantes" center located just in front of the hotel which offers balneotherapy, spa and gym.
Price range
There is no doubt that we are in the top of the range. However, the prices are not stratospheric, as in some palaces, and the experience remains accessible!
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Practical information about the Blu Radisson Nantes
Where is the Blu Radisson Nantes
- The establishment is located in Nantes
- Driving time from Angers: 1h15
- Driving time from Tours: 2h20
- Driving time from Blois: 3h
- Driving time from Orleans: 3h30
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there
You arespoilt for choice. Its location, slightly set back from the city center, means that it is accessible by car without too much difficulty.
Nantes being a rather congested city, you may prefer to use public transportation. The bus and tramway stations are about 200 meters away and you can reach any city (train station, airport, monuments...)
Parking
Parking is necessarily paid in the vicinity. There are 2 covered parking lots less than 100m from the hotel, including our favorite in Nantes, the Parking Descartes. The spaces are large and the circulation easy, which is not often the case in the Nantes parking lots... (see our left wing)
Our top 3 things to do in Nantes
The elephant and the Machines de l'Ile
Over the years, the elephant and the machines on the island have become the cultural and tourist signature of Nantes. They combine incredible technical know-how with a phantasmagorical universe largely inspired by the Nantes author Jules Vernes. You can only succumb to these funny animals made of wood and metal.
The castle of Nantes (Dukes of Brittany)
The impressive castle of Nantes is a real architectural puzzle, the result of a tormented history, which it is pleasant to reconstitute. You will meet the Dukes of Brittany, the famous Anne of Brittany, wife of 2 successive kings of France, but also Louis XIV! The castle houses the surprising and very well designed museum of the history of Nantes.
- Discover all our advices and photos to not miss anything of the castle of Nantes (Dukes of Brittany).
The Pommeraye passage
An immersive experience in the bourgeois and wealthy universe of the 19th century, with this unique shopping mall in Europe. The play of light, the ironwork on the staircase, the sculptures... everything contributes to making this passageway a timeless place dedicated to the pleasure of window shopping.
And to learn more:
our complete selection of 15 things to do in Nantes
Our top 3 places to eat in Nantes
L'Aménité - best restaurant downtown
In one of the small pedestrian streets of the Bouffay district, not far from the castle, you will find what is, for us, one of the best restaurants in the city center, l'aménité. In a cosy-chic atmosphere, the chef Richard Cornet masters perfectly the textures and cooking temperatures to offer you a beautiful culinary moment. This former trader and psychotherapist did well to reconvert to cooking! Discover our detailed review and photos of the restaurant l'aménité
Sugar Blue - best healthy breakfast
If, like us, you love the atmosphere of Amsterdam's brown cafes, stop in for a light and healthy lunch at Sugar Blue. Here, everything is ultra-fresh and really greedy. Located not far from the famous Place Royale, it is a place that is full of energy and ultra-convivial. Our favorite lunchtime canteen! See the news of the restaurant
Le Manoir de la Regate - Best Starred
20 minutes from the city center, in a preserved natural setting along the Erdre River, a small 19th century manor house offers you a culinary journey to the heart of the wonders of the Loire and its banks: river fish, but also herbs, flowers, vegetables... You won't know where to put your taste buds! Really exceptional. Discover our detailed review and photos of the restaurant Le Manoir de la Régate.
And to learn more:
our complete selection of 15 restaurants where to eat in Nantes
