Chiberta & Golf Hotel & Resort ★★★★

Biarritz was cemented as a fashionable holiday destination by frequent summer visits from Napoleon III and his wife Eugene. Up went villas, mansions and reputations. The city continued as a destination for the dignified and remained suspended in a belle-époque type glamour until 1957, when an American film-maker accidentally stumbled across the area's perfect waves – perfect for surfing that is. He called for his surfboard to be sent from California, shocked a few locals no doubt, and ushered a new era in to Biarritz, one that sees salted and tanned youths rubbing shoulders with those who have an affinity with the more genteel side of this 'jewel of the Basque country'. The coast here is amazingly wild and despite its development, it remains dominated by the stunning scenery all around. The Chiberta & Golf Hotel & Resort **** was conceptualised in the 1920s, with a vision of creating a world-class golf course in Biarritz. The hotel complex opened up in Anglet, just along the coast, surrounded by beautiful woodland, on the shores of a lake, and remains home to one of the most prestigious 18-hole golf courses in France. Between the golf, the surf and the spa, we were all happy.

The hotel is immersed in its natural surroundings. Mature trees provide shady spots and a feeling of privacy within the grounds. The lake is flanked with colourful flowers and palm trees and is a serene focal point to admire from many parts of the hotel. The resort comprises of large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ninety rooms and suites, a beautiful Andalusian patio, two restaurants, an indoor and outdoor bar, leafy outdoor terraces and a spa offering numerous treatments and facilities. The sea is a hop, skip and a jump away and the waves lulled us to sleep at night.

Our family suite had two rooms. We won the ensuite by virtue of paying the bill! We had a gorgeous view over the lake from our spacious terrace. The lounge area was a cosy and refined place to relax, with large leather settees and a flat screen TV. The kitchenette with its family dining table allowed us the fun of cooking together after picking up fresh produce from those famous French markets. The suite was decorated in a simple but sophisticated way, with relaxing neutral tones as the base and splashes of vibrant colour here and there. It had a classic 1920s feel to it, with soft lines and traditional bespoke pieces of furniture.

The restaurant offered meals throughout the day. The sunny weather kept us eating al fresco throughout our stay. It was such a gorgeous way to start the day – we looked forward to a proper croissant and a real coffee on the peaceful tree-lined terrace. Being in the Basque region was reflected in the menu, with regional specialities shoulder to shoulder with French classics. The chefs pride themselves on using fresh, local produce and their fish dishes were fantastic. For our family, food was what united us, with the men off chasing their adventures between meals, and we women on our own adventures, i.e. spending time in the spa and exploring the surrounding region.

I did wonder if Biarritz is where the word 'ritzy' comes from. The area oozes prestige and old-world high-society glamour. But what I love most is the fact it is also one of the most naturally wild and pristine parts of the Atlantic I've seen, and that its crashing waves have attracted the young and surf-crazy from all over Europe. The Chiberta & Golf Hotel & Resort **** is a perfect place to get a feel for these different faces of Biarritz.