Villa Arguibel

A slice of designer chic in Guéthary, ideal for surfers, serious foodies, design-freaks and honeymooners

As a regular visitor to the French Basque country, I thought I knew it all. I’ve never been so glad to be wrong. Sandwiched between the pretty but popular town of St Jean de Luz and the grande dame of Biarritz, the pretty village of Guéthary has been my favourite discovery to date. Laid-back, glamorous, beachy and foodie, it has it all.

Arguibel is a classic Basque farmhouse from the outside, but oozes with eclectic modern cool inside. Crammed with designer touches, slumpy sofas, iPod docks and quirky treasures from around the world, its neon-tinged ultra-modern décor is shocking in a region that loves its tradition. There are just 5 rooms, boldly designed with sensational bathrooms, and they share an open-plan living area on the ground floor filled with designer furniture.

There isn’t a restaurant - only breakfast is served - but the warm welcome from the staff and the fantastic décor set it far above a simple B&B, and you’re only moments from world-class restaurants and barefoot-chic beach cafes. Known primarily for its surf, this region has recently come into its own for its food, and we’d rate a stay at Arguibel as one of the highlights of a trip here.

Highs

• The décor: chic, young, trendy and vibrant
• The views: not of the sea, as you might expect, but of sheep-filled pastures and mountains in the distance
• The location: just a mile from the beach, and you’re in prime position for the region’s destination restaurants (including 2 Michelin-starred joints within walking distance)
• Breakfast on the sun-filled terrace at the back is fantastic, laid-back and very French
• The ground floor is a huge shared living space - even when the hotel is full, it feels spacious

Lows

• There are only 5 rooms so you may have to book early
• It’s hard to find - all the Basque houses around here look the same from the outside
• There’s no pool, but one is planned for the future
• With a staff of only 4, there’s no 24-hour concierge. It feels more like a private home as a consequence, and you’re not micro-managed, which we liked