Arcachon Bay, FrancePyla-sur-Mer
Hôtel La Guitoune
Retro neo-Basque inn
Pyla-sur-Mer Arcachon Bay, France
Renovated
2017
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Social LocalOutside the door
Retro neo-Basque inn
The 1930s coastal inn runs as an easygoing seaside lodge, where pine-shaded drinks follow long days on the sand.
What it’s good at
Notable
Vintage seaside interiors feature yellow Briare enamel tiles and Pierre Frey fabrics.
Listed
Seaside living beneath maritime pines, bordering the Arcachon Bay oyster-farming basin.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Interior designer Bambi Sloan preserved the neo-Basque façade and turned the interiors into a vintage-inspired fantasy, one that wears its modern electronics and comforts lightly.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The beach is a short stroll beneath maritime pines, and the towering Dune du Pilat rises just down the coast.
The rooms
Garden cabins sit behind the main house. Inside, bedrooms feature playful lobster motifs and whimsical mermaid prints.
At the table
The restaurant serves Mediterranean plates and fresh pasta, and drinks are poured at a mosaic bar lined with red stools.
How it began
The inn opened in 1932 as a rustic tavern famous for lobster, then sat shuttered for a decade before its restoration.
Arcachon Bay
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.