Hôtel de la Plage, Biarritz, emerges as an oceanside haven in the southern French town’s tranquil neighbourhood of Port-Vieux, bathed by Bay of Biscay waters. Aptly named to reflect its location, the hotel offers a modern and collaborative approach to traditional coastal design. Once a humble Basque fishing village, Biarritz rose to fame in the 19th century as a favoured seaside resort for European royalty. Today playing host to the Nouvelle Biarritz Film Festival and an emerging contemporary art scene, the town’s shift in status to a cosmopolitan and modern destination is further signalled by the reimagining of Hôtel de la Plage.
Coastal chic at redesigned Hôtel de la Plage, Biarritz
Artistic director Olivier Granet alongside renowned Parisian architecture studio Gardera & Pastre came together to bring a distinct contemporary flair to the space (no lifebuoy decorations in sight) – all without dismissing the design roots of traditional Basque architecture and its art-deco influences. Following a multi-year renovation, the hotel now boasts 20 individually designed rooms, each with a distinct warm-toned palette and anchored by a striking floor-to-ceiling panelled wall. Local designer Veronika Pertseva added a personal touch by infusing the spaces with the distinct maritime shades of the Bay of Biscay and the verdant Basque mountains.
An attention to detail is exemplified by the inclusion of a custom-designed piece of furniture for each guest room. Textile work by LRNC adorns headboards, while textured shell-shaped sconces by Axel Chay, art by Mathieu Chavaren, prints by Jules Focone and sculptures by Lucas Castex further connect Hôtel de la Plage with its surroundings.
Above, the hotel's rooftop area offers a 180-degree, far-reaching view over Port Vieux and Rocher de la Vierge (a landmark rock formation). Here, guests can sample locally focused sharing plates, from ceviche to burrata salad, alongside local wines, and patisseries from the revered Noisette Bakery.
A playful energy continues in the communal areas, such as the boutique filled with local artisanal items, from ceramics to original prints, just by the entrance. Adjacent to this is a waiting area framed by a contemporary suspended fireplace, perfect to warm up the space on a cold coastal morning. Midcentury chairs beckon guests to sit and enjoy the picturesque bay views or to pick up a magazine from a curated literary rack just behind.
Hôtel de la Plage is located at 3 Esp. du Port Viex, hoteldelaplage-biarritz.com
-
Designer Marta de la Rica’s elegant Madrid studio is full of perfectly-pitched contradictionsThe studio, or ‘the laboratory’ as de la Rica and her team call it, plays with colour, texture and scale in eminently rewarding ways
-
‘Nothing just because it’s beautiful’: Performance artist Marina Abramović on turning her hand to furniture designMarina Abramović has no qualms about describing her segue into design as a ‘domestication’. But, argues the ‘grandmother of performance art’ as she unveils a collection of chairs, something doesn’t have to be provocative to be meaningful
-
A local’s guide to Los Angeles by defiant artist Fawn RogersOregon-born, LA-based artist Fawn Rogers gives us a personal tour of her adopted city as it hosts its sixth edition of Frieze
-
Night at the museum: the best art hotels to book nowSleep amid surrealists at London’s Broadwick Soho, or wake up to contemporary favourites at New Hotel in Athens – indulge in an immersive art hotel experience
-
This Italian Bistrot in Paris offers all-year-round ‘felicità’A diminutive of the Italian word for family, Miglia is a cosy trattoria radiating warmth, friendliness, and traditional flavours
-
Ski in, ski out at Courchevel’s hot new piste-side dinerLoulou, the new Courchevel restaurant inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s muse, is playfully elevated by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s pop art branding
-
The cosiest alpine retreats to book in EuropeBrowse the Wallpaper* edit of European alpine retreats where to fully embrace the ski season
-
First look at Maison 3, an eclectic new Parisian bar for sleepless nightsMaison 3 is an enigmatic space with a sensual atmosphere brought to life by the French studio Les Beaux Jours Architectures
-
The world’s most enticing new hotel openingsExplore the best new hotels in the world, from a bijou addition to the London hotel scene to a lush safari adventure in South Africa
-
Dine at Paris’s historic Maison Baccarat, reimagined by chef Alain DucasseThe newly opened Ducasse Baccarat restaurant – at the crystal house’s Paris mansion – offers not just a culinary experience but a cultural encounter
-
Stylish Paris ice cream parlours for melting momentsCool off with the best ice cream in Paris: Wallpaper’s favourite scoops span from classics at chef Alain Ducasse's ‘glacerie’ to ice cream sandwiches at JJ Hings
