Which hotel to choose for a wellness cure on the Basque Coast? We think the answer is obvious! The Grand Hôtel de Saint-Jean-de-Luz has it all: a strategic position on one of the region’s most beautiful beaches, a chic yet relaxed atmosphere and a spa offering excellent marine treatments. Here’s an account of a trip made by Pascal Languillon, director of Luxe Wellness Club, with his wife Virginie in September 2021.
A hotel with an ideal beachfront location
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is located in the very south of France, at the gateway to Spain. It’s a charming little town of around 14,000 inhabitants, where life is good, with a small fishing port, a pedestrian center with traditional architecture and a beautiful seaside promenade.
Located on the Grande Plage, overlooking the bay, the Grand Hôtel is without a doubt the most beautiful hotel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (and, dare we say it, the southern Basque country), and a place we highly recommend for a relaxing break. relaxing break for a weekend or a longer stay.
Here, the ocean looks like the sea, as the dikes facing the beach keep the waves at bay, much to the chagrin of surfers who desert the town in favor of Biarritz or Guéthary. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is therefore a family destination because it’s easier to swim, and an undeniable advantage of the Grand Hôtel is that it’s just twenty meters from the water.
We already knew the area very well, but we took advantage of our short stay to do things we’d never done before. We took a sunrise stroll along the Pointe de Sainte Barbe, which offers one of the finest views of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, finishing with a swim in the ocean opposite the hotel just before breakfast. For me, it’s the best way to start the day!
Our room: the beautiful Sainte-Barbe junior suite
We were in room 312, on the third and top floor. With a surface area of 36 m², this Junior Suite offers both a beautiful view of the hill of Sainte Barbe overlooking the ocean, and a view of the city, which I like less. Thanks to its double exposure, this room is very bright.
This junior suite features a bedroom area opening onto a living room with a sofa bed, a dressing room and two bathrooms, one with a bathtub and the other with a shower. While it’s not an ultra-fashionable hotel, I appreciated its elegance and style, which can appeal to all age groups. There’s nothing more irritating about palaces than old-fashioned decor that wouldn’t even appeal to our parents any more, and here that’s not the case at all.
The room is equipped with a mini-bar, Nespresso machine and a selection of Dammann Frères teas and infusions. There’s also an individual safe, satellite TV and a Bose speaker for Bluetooth music.
What we really liked was the view from the room’s balcony, especially as we were lucky enough to have a superb sunset.
I’ve visited other rooms in the establishment, and I particularly like the Deluxe ocean view rooms, 314 and 214.
Spa Loréamar: luxury thalassotherapy as we like it
I’ll tell you right now: I’m not generally a big fan of thalassotherapy centers, as they’re often aging, crowded and not exactly upmarket. The Grand Hotel spa is different, offering an elegant yet intimate atmosphere. Here you’ll find a luxury thalasso like no other in the Basque Country.
We had the pleasure of testing several of the spa’s treatments. First treatment tested: a marine magnesium-based body wrap. It’s ideal for purifying and moisturizing the skin, easing muscular pain and remineralizing the body. It relaxed me in no time.
Second treatment tested: Loréamar balneotherapy. This is an immersion in warm seawater accompanied by a hydromassage from the soles of the feet to the nape of the neck. This process promotes the penetration of trace elements and mineral salts. I’m used to doing this kind of treatment, but it’s invariably in dark, basement rooms, and all you can think about is closing your eyes. Here, it’s more than advisable to keep your eyes open to enjoy the view, as the bathtub faces the beach (the glass is reflective, so your privacy is preserved). We loved the scents and sensations of this treatment… What a pleasure!
Finally, we each enjoyed a leg and back massage that left us in a state of absolute relaxation. Here again, French seafood products are used.
The spa’s treatment rooms and relaxation areas enjoy a soothing atmosphere. Indeed, Loréamar is housed in what used to be the hotel’s cellar, and the exposed vaults create a gentle sensation.
Another moment of relaxation not to be missed: a session alternating between the Finnish sauna and the salt grotto. It is said that 20 minutes in this halotherapy space is equivalent to 3 days spent by the sea… The benefits of Himalayan salt therapy are manifold: revitalizing the body, reducing fatigue and stress.
The spa also boasts a beautiful seawater pool heated to 32-34°C on the ground floor. It also features Jacuzzi-style hydromassage jets at either end. Its high salinity makes it easy to float, which encouraged me to board for several minutes. Very relaxing!
The Aho Fina restaurant and its superb terrace
In the Basque Country, the weather can sometimes be capricious, so we relished our chance to be at the hotel restaurant on one of the hottest evenings of summer 2021. In fact, dining on the terrace overlooking the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is one of the great privileges offered by the hotel.
The restaurant is firmly rooted in its home region of southwestern France, with fresh , seasonal produce sourced locally. Although there are several healthy options on the menu, we were in celebration mode and so enjoyed a gourmet menu with a wine pairing.
For starters, a pan-fried sheep’s feet (the mushrooms, not the animal!), morels, hazelnuts and garlic emulsion, served with a delicious Pouilly Fuissé. For the main course, a duck with carrot, broccoli and ginger mousseline, accompanied by a good Bordeaux (Petit Bichon), finishing with an excellent crunchy chocolate cake with fresh raspberries and a glass of rosé champagne. An excellent evening. Detox can wait…
The next day, however, I decided to try out the dietary options on the menu. Finger of banka trout (pictured above), risotto riso roma with squash… Delicious, light breakfast.
In fact, there are plenty of healthy options in the restaurant to accompany curists, so don’t panic, the hotel is well recommended for fitness breaks!
Breakfast is also served facing the sea. Good news, it offers a buffet with plenty of healthy options: fresh-cut fruit, a selection of nuts and dried fruit, gluten-free and lactose-free options. We also enjoyed the smoked trout and the hearty omelettes.
Our feeling
An intimate 5-star hotel bursting with charm in one of the most beautiful parts of France, with a beautiful spa offering regenerating marine treatments. An ideal stopover for a wellness break in all seasons.
Luxe Wellness Club
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Take advantage of our expertise in wellness breaks and contact us for a personalized quote for the Grand Hôtel de Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Rates : From 150 euros per night in low season and 330 euros per night in high season. 3-day treatment from 1085 euros and 5-day treatment from 1970 euros. Upgrade subject to availability via Luxe Wellness Club and complimentary half-bottle of champagne on arrival.
Call us from the USA on +1 (646) 980 6652 or from the UK on +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
