Grand Hôtel Thalasso & spa ★★★★★

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a quintessential Basque seaside town, and one of France’s most picturesque beach retreats. Its main draws are the atmospheric narrow streets, the white sandy beaches and the lively port pulling in catches of fresh fish every morning that are cooked up at authentic restaurants to create some of the best cuisine in the country. VeryChic have added one more thing to that list: Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa*****. After undergoing a nine month makeover this year, this Belle Époque 100-year-old gem dominating the seafront emerged better and more luxurious than ever.

Some five-star hotels can feel a bit pretentious and impersonal, but this is like a home away from home, and each guest is welcomed with open arms. There is a large terrace with white wicker furniture and a glamorous crimson carpet leading to reception, where you’ll be surrounded by ornate chandeliers, eye-catching pieces of art and an impressive white marble staircase. It’s easy to imagine Russian princesses escaping the revolution and coming to live in this palatial retreat forever, perhaps in one of the enormous suites.

Since being renovated, each bedroom and suite has been expanded to give each guest even more space and privacy. Each one has all the amenities you’d expect from a five-star hotel, and more. The views are unbeatable, and the gentle sounds of the ocean or the silence of the majestic mountains will ensure that you sleep peacefully each night, so that you can wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready to discover the beauty of this former fishing village.

Before you step outside the hotel though, we insist that you try out some of the facilities on offer. Start at the Loreamar Spa, where you could quite happily while away a whole day. Unwind with a personalised massage or facial, take a dip in the heated seawater pool with jets and underwater music, chill out in the hammam and sauna, relax in the tearoom with magnificent arches, or indulge in a beauty treatment in the sunlit hair and beauty salons. There’s an endless list of activities to be done here, and you’ll soon understand why it’s been referred to as “the most beautiful spa in Europe”… it’s a real haven of wellbeing and serenity.

If all this pampering hasn’t sent you to sleep, it’s time to sample some mouth-watering cuisine. Relax with a glass of wine by the cosy fire in the lounge bar, before making your way through to the L’Océan Restaurant. Specialising in seafood and modern French gastronomy, the Michelin-starred chef Michel Rostang offers a unique menu inspired by Basque traditions and local products. The ambience is warm and friendly, and everything is prepared in front of you in the open kitchen. Finish the evening off with an after-dinner cocktail on the stunning roof terrace, as you watch the sun set over the glistening Atlantic Ocean… a truly magical scene.

Below is the the content of the Spa Disovery Day Pass (available for a surcharge of 150€, an exclusive rate for VeryChic guests only). Guests can choose one of the 3 following programmes: