Supremely peaceful and close to nature, you’d never guess this elegant waterside retreat – an utterly charming, whitewashed 1930s mansion wrapped in ivy and grape vines – was just five minutes from Biarritz airport and ten from town. Days here have an almost storybook quality, slow and magical: the chȃteau’s timeless rooms are romantic affairs, with Basque-striped canopies cocooning linen beds and gold accents adding a touch of old school glamour. Then there’s the lake, where ten floating lodges, reached by electric boat, make a summertime stay feel like a little adventure. But you don’t need to sleep on the water to enjoy it – hop on a paddleboard or pedalo across its glassy surface, swim from the wooden pontoon, or, like most of the chic Parisian guests, settle in at the waterside lounge with a bottle of Sancerre and watch the little turtles bob by. Back on dry land, the gardens hide a lovely outdoor pool, while the spa nearby comes into its own when the skies turn Basque grey, with multiple jacuzzis perfect for sheltered soaking. Come dinnertime, the lake-facing restaurant is a draw in its own right, with locals joining hotel guests for top notch seasonal cooking that puts the best of the Basque Country centrestage. Alison Harvey Barretto
Price: Rooms from around £225 per night.
Le Talaia Hotel & Spa Biarritz – MGallery Collection
Youthful Le Talaia might not have the old world good looks of its pink, palatial neighbours, but, with a Basque name translating to ‘lookout tower,’ it certainly compensates with its sweeping views over the Bay of Biscay and beyond. Not to mention its prime perch at the top of trendy Rue Gambetta, close enough to surfer-favourite Côte des Basques beach to sling a board under your arm and be paddling out in minutes. The hotel keeps the town’s surf spirit going indoors with its beach café lobby, while upstairs, rooms are bright and breezy, with flashes of Biarritz’s signature rusty rouge and big picture windows that make you feel part of the seaside scene. The real draw, though, is the vibrant rooftop. Head up for a dip in the vintage postcard pool or for fruity sundowners at the open air bar that pulls in a cool crowd. And when it’s time for a bite, you’ve got boho, beach club restaurant, La Petite Plage, up there too for zingy ceviches, coconutty prawns and supersized profiteroles to finish, from a menu created by three-Michelin starred chef Éric Frechon. Alison Harvey Barretto
Price: Rooms from around £160 per night.