À La Rochelle, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—it’s also a time to go blue. For the fourth consecutive year, the Ocean Lovers initiative has transformed a romantic weekend into a collective effort to support ocean conservation. Between February 13 and 15, every direct booking made at Cosy Hotels group properties generated a donation for three organizations working along the Charente coastline and beyond. Our three hotels once again participated in this initiative, driven by a simple conviction: a successful stay in La Rochelle also depends on respecting the coastline that gives the city its charm. Here’s a look back at the 2026 edition, its statistics, its partner organizations, and how this commitment fits into a long-term CSR strategy.
Ocean Lovers, a community initiative rooted in the La Rochelle area
What is Operation Ocean Lovers?
Ocean Lovers is a charitable initiative organized each year for Valentine’s Day by the hotels of the Cosy Hotels group in La Rochelle. For every reservation made directly—via the official website, email, or phone—during the Valentine’s Day weekend, 15% of the revenue is donated to organizations dedicated to protecting the oceans and coastlines.
Which organizations benefit from the Ocean Lovers donation?
Three organizations with complementary missions are receiving support. Echo-Mer, a La Rochelle-based organization, works every day to protect the marine environments and coastline of the Charente region. Surfrider Foundation Europe, a European NGO, advocates for a healthy and sustainable ocean. The Big Drive, on the other hand, addresses the environmental impact of the textile industry on ecosystems, including marine ecosystems.
How long has Cosy Hotels been carrying out this initiative?
What sets Ocean Lovers apart from a one-time initiative is its consistency. Now in its fourth year, the campaign is based on a relationship of trust built with the same organizations, year after year. This continuity allows partner organizations to better factor this support into their own operating budgets and reflects a clear commitment: to establish a genuine partnership over the long term.
The 2026 Report: Figures That Reflect a Concrete Commitment
How much money was donated during the 2026 event?
Direct reservations made over the weekend of February 13–15 at the group’s three hotels raised a total of €3,069, which was divided equally among the three organizations—€1,023 for each.
Why is booking directly essential for this donation?
This donation would not have been possible without the involvement of the travelers themselves. By choosing to book directly rather than through a third-party platform, customers made a choice that had a twofold positive impact: directly supporting the local economy and enabling the calculation of the donation to benefit the organizations. This serves as a useful reminder that booking directly—often seen as a mere technical detail—can also be a meaningful act of support.
How does Ocean Lovers fit into our hotels’ CSR policy?
Ocean Lovers is not an isolated initiative. It is part of a Social and Environmental Responsibility Policy which our hotels have been developing for several years, focusing on promoting local products, sustainable resource management, and supporting local nonprofit organizations. The Clef Verte certification—a benchmark for sustainable hospitality—which both of our 4-star hotels have earned, reflects this same commitment to consistency between words and actions.
Cosy Hotels: Our Sustainable Hotels in the Heart of La Rochelle
Where is our hotels in La Rochelle?
The Hôtel Saint-Nicolas**** is located at 13 Rue Sardinerie, in the Saint-Nicolas neighborhood, just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port and its famous medieval towers, in the heart of La Rochelle’s historic center. This immediate proximity to La Rochelle’s coastline concretely anchors the establishment’s environmental commitment to its immediate surroundings—the very same environment that its partner organizations are working to protect.
Le Masq Hotel**** is ideally located in the heart of La Rochelle, at 17 Rue de l’Ouvrage in Cornes, just a stone’s throw from the Old Port and its three medieval towers. Just a short walk from the TGV station, it offers easy access on foot to the historic center, with its arcaded streets and lively waterfront, while remaining less than 25 minutes from the airport.
The B&B Hotel La Rochelle Centre Located at 140 Boulevard Joffre, it enjoys a strategic location, right across from the SNCF train station and just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port. Its central location also puts the Aquarium and the city’s main tourist attractions within walking distance, allowing you to explore La Rochelle without needing a car.
What's the best way to book a socially responsible trip to La Rochelle?
While the Ocean Lovers initiative takes place over a specific weekend each year around Valentine’s Day, our hotels’ commitment continues throughout the year. To enjoy a stay in La Rochelle at a hotel that combines comfort, a prime location, and a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, you can book your stay directly—which also guarantees you the best available rate.
An annual charity event to look forward to
The 2026 edition of Ocean Lovers confirms what the previous three editions had already set in motion: Valentine’s Day can be an opportunity to make a concrete commitment to protecting the oceans, without ever sacrificing the pleasure of a stay in La Rochelle. With €3,069 donated to Echo-Mer, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and La Grande Collecte, Cosy Hotels reaffirms the strength of a long-standing partnership. See you next February, with the goal of increasing this collective donation once again. In the meantime, our properties continue to welcome guests year-round in a warm and inviting setting, in the heart of a region where coastal preservation is a top priority.