All Suites Appart Hôtel Bassin d'Arcachon - Dune du Pilat

The location is a little outside town, about a 15-minute drive from Arcachon beach. There’s a handy shopping area right by the complex, though, with supermarkets, shops, and restaurants. This was our first time staying in an aparthotel. We usually choose hotels, but wanted to try something different and were pleasantly surprised. Our room was a comfortable size, with a compact but useful kitchen, a nicely sized bathroom, and a balcony/loggia. The only letdown was looking out over the parking area, which is why I’d give the room four stars. Otherwise, we were happy with it. The receptionist was warm and helpful. We arrived last, just as her shift was ending, and she waited for us. Thanks again for being so patient and kind.

We were five in one room, with four beds set up like a university dorm and one double bed. Everything smelled nice and felt new, and the room was spotless. Breakfast was very good for the price, and the stay was great value.

The breakfast had plenty of choice and was pretty good. The evening concierge was pleasant when checking us in, and the room was spacious, with a lake view and good parking. The morning reception and breakfast staff were the opposite, coming across as curt and offensive toward us and our dogs. The dogs just needed to get out of the intense heat and sit in the empty, air-conditioned breakfast room. We were made to eat the breakfast we’d paid for outside. That isn’t unusual, but it was 38°C.

The apartment was roomy and comfortable, and the receptionist was great. She upgraded us to a two-bedroom apartment and mentioned that the hotel was being refurbished. We could see work underway in one wing. The price was quite good, and the beds were comfortable, with individual heaters in the rooms. There were serious signs of wear inside: blackened grout in the bathroom, a basin surround coming apart, a disgusting shower curtain, and a window that wouldn’t lock. The place really needs renewal. It’s meant to be non-smoking, yet our living room curtains smelled of cigarettes, and we could smell smoke when people used their balconies with the doors open. The posted policy says occupants staying 30 days or longer can be charged for repainting if cigarette smoke yellows the walls. Smoking in hotels is against EU law now, so staff should enforce the policy rigorously.