If you get a high from hotels that inhale the ocean, then Villa l‘Arche should be right up your wet suit. This is an exceptionally privileged location, with nothing to separate the hotel from Bidart’s uncrowded beach except an immaculate garden, simply laid to lawn and box. The surrounding residential area is a bit dull but who cares when you can while away the time on your teak-decked terrace, lulled by the sound of the waves pounding the shore below.
We’re in a surfers’ paradise here but Villa l’Arche is definitely not for beach bums. Instead you will find a fastidious renovation of a typically Basque villa with colours, both inside and out, that are more Aegean than Atlantic: whitewashed walls, royal blue woodwork and weather-worn teak predominate. Arty photographs and contemporary sculptures might look a tad contrived elsewhere but here they only serve to enhance the sophisticated ambience.
All the individually-decorated sea view accommodations (including the two pricier suites) are illustrated on the web site. A special effort is made with breakfast – there are flexible options to suit your needs. A short walk through the garden and down to the beach will bring you to La Tantina de la Playa, an excellent seafood restaurant in a magical setting. Otherwise you’ll probably need a car or a taxi to discover the countless other establishments in and around Biarritz.