Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa

The Grand Hotel Thalasso & Spa is situated in an early-1900s Belle-Epoque building with a salmon pink and white facade that's both elegant and charming. This atmosphere is retained inside -- the hotel underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2015 -- with a sophisticated paring of grand Art Deco architectural features and chic, modern furnishings. Marble columns and floors, wood wainscoting, coffered ceilings, and chandelier lights are common features, while furnishings include velvety button-tufted sofas and tub chairs in rich purple and bright pink. But the finishing touch here is the location directly along the beach, providing views from every vantage point from the bedroom windows to the terrace and spa. This luxury spot is designed for leisure travelers, and while it attracts its share of couples, families are more than welcome here, too. 

The Grand Hotel is situated right on a sandy stretch of beach in Saint-Jean-de-Lutz, sandwiched between a residential area and the historic city center. The latter offers plenty of shops, restaurants, and art galleries in walking distance from the hotel. The De la Nivelle golf course is about an eight-minute drive, and Larrun mountain is about a 20-minute drive. The Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is a 20-minute drive, while the Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure train station is a 12-minute walk or a six-minute drive. The hotel can arrange airport transfers and offers valet parking, both for extra fees.

The hotel's 52 rooms and suites offer sophisticated, modern decor with a neutral beige color palette and textured accents, like silky quilted headboards. Vivid pops of teal or fuchsia in velvety tub chairs keep the design from becoming staid. Bathrooms are modern an may have separate toilet stalls, chic square sinks, and walk-in rainfall showers. While entry-level rooms aren't extravagantly sized, they're roomy enough to offer a nice seating area for two at the foot of the bed. Suites can be huge, adding separate living areas, bathtubs, and even balconies or spacious private terraces. Guests recommend higher floors facing the beach for the best views.

All rooms have individual AC, comfy pillow-top mattresses, and pillow menus. They also have minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, electronic safes, 46-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature robes and slippers, high-end Fragonard toiletries, heated towel rods, and hairdryers. 

Guests looking for luxury features will find them here. One of the hotel's best features is its indoor seawater "thalassotherapy" pool with massage jets, situated in a room with arched windows that look out onto the beach. Guests have direct access to the sandy swath of beach right from the spa's backdoor. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, and a nice a relaxation room set under elegant vaulted ceilings. There are 20 treatment rooms, including some with private spa baths that look right out onto the beach. If there's any downfall, it's the gym, which feels like an afterthought, though the standard cardio machines are accounted for. The fitness room, for private classes or training, is nice, though, with wood floors, yoga mats, and exercise balls. 

The hotel also has an elegant -- if pricey -- fine-dining restaurant, which serves up French cuisine and features floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the beach. A chic, sophisticated bar and lounge offers drinks, light fare, and lots of places to relax. Guests can take their food and drinks on an expansive outdoor terrace, which has dining tables, casual sitting areas, and cushioned lounge chairs. There's a breakfast buffet, but it costs an extra fee.

For those traveling with children, the hotel offers kids' menus, kids' spa treatments, babysitting, a seasonal kids' club (fee), and other extras. Nearby beach clubs are also available for kids in the summer. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. The hotel also has three meeting and event rooms, and boutiquey spa and local gift items are for sale in the lobby. Wi-Fi throughout is free.

Service is what you'd expect from a luxury establishment -- there's a concierge, valet, bellhop, and 24-hour room service, and guests find staff friendly, knowledgable, and helpful.