Hotel du Pourtalet

Sometimes we all feel the need for space; somewhere we can get away from it all for a while. You daydream about great expansive vistas, places like Canada, or Patagonia that have rugged mountains and crisp blue skies ... Why not the mountains of France? Clear your mind and indulge in all things French at the same time. Hôtel du Portalet sits 1800m up in the Pyrenees, in a veritable playground for nature lovers like me. It enjoys stunning views of the dramatic Le Pic du Midi d’Ossau and the Cirque d’Aneou, which marks the border with Spain, and is close to the Spanish ski resort of Fourmigal, and the French ski resort of Artouste.

After breakfast, which you can enjoy in your room if you prefer, it’s time to head out into the great outdoors. Staff at the hotel can recommend some great local walks. Or you can enjoy the range of seasonal activities the area has to offer: fishing, canyoning, via ferrata, horse-riding ... the choice is endless.

After the best part of a day spent discovering muscles I never knew I had, the sight of the hotel is very welcoming indeed. It might not look all that much on the outside, but don’t judge a book by its cover. The attention to detail from Alexandra Casadebaig and her team makes you feel relaxed and at home from the minute you walk through the door. Simple, rustic yet refined decor with lots of wood and neutral colours perfectly echoes the surrounding landscape. Just because you’re that little bit removed from civilisation, it doesn’t mean you are in any way deprived of your creature comforts. The bedrooms are fully equipped with Wi-Fi, flat screen TV with satellite channels, and all the other touches you would expect, but you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from the view from your window. Each room has a different but equally stunning view.

For total relaxation put yourself in the capable hands of resident therapist Isabelle Casadebaig. Try the Californian mask treatment for head to toe relaxation. Or simply let sensations of calmness and lightness wash over you as you relax your limbs in the Jacuzzi, all the while being treated to the beautiful panorama of the Cirque d’Aneou.

All that fresh air and relaxation will help to work up an appetite which you can satisfy at the hotel’s restaurant ‘le Sorbier ‘. Decor is simple, rustic chic with yet more fabulous views. Chef David Casadebaig has honed his skills at different venues in Europe and works directly with local producers to create a menu that showcases local Pyrenean terroir. I can’t decide between the Carre d’Agneau and the Parmentier de Canard, the menu alone makes me want to stay several nights so I can sample each dish! Round off the evening perfectly with a visit to the wine bar, aptly named ‘Le Refuge’. Sit by the fire and choose from a selection of Grand Crus Bordelais, or try a local wine or some champagne, accompanied by some gourmet tapas with a hint of Spanish heat. The perfect end to a perfect day, which can only bettered by the thought of doing it all over again tomorrow!