Hôtel & Spa – Thalazur Saint Jean de Luz

On a cold, rainy winter day, the spa is a lovely way to get that ocean dip you're craving. The heated indoor pool uses ocean water and has different jets that are great for decompressing. I just wish there were more facilities, like food and water, or at least spa water, so you could stay longer.

I went in winter and loved it. The spa felt magical: warm up in the huge, steamy hammam, then step outside for a dip in the ocean.

That view is unreal. The hotel sits right on the sand, and the seaview from the gym is gorgeous. We also liked the seawater spa, the beautiful, super-clean rooms, and the friendly, welcoming staff. Breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had at a hotel. They clearly make an effort to source local food, with organic options too. It was the first time I'd seen organic eggs at a hotel breakfast. There was filtered water, ripe fresh fruit and gluten-free choices, and everything was labeled with details like raw or pasteurized, organic status, where it came from and its nutritional value. Delicious and nutritious. I'd come back just for breakfast. The gym had lots of cardio machines but very little for strength training, so it could use some weights. Dinner at the hotel restaurant was a mixed bag. Our squid main was absolutely delicious, but the starter was simple, and the €10 cheese platter was a joke: a tiny slice cut into six thin pieces with a lettuce leaf and some jam. That needs work. I'm pregnant and asked for pasteurized cheese, but was told no. Our waiter also didn't seem very competent. For the price, we wouldn't return to the restaurant, which is a shame given how good the main dish was. Still, it's an amazing place to stay. Enjoy!

The restaurant has wonderful views over the bay, and the Christmas brunch was excellent. We stayed at the hotel over Christmas and were delighted by the welcome and friendly atmosphere. A big thank you to the whole team for making us feel so welcome. I hope we can come back this year!