Arcachon Bay, France
Hôtel Ville d‘ hiver
Restored waterworks villa
Restored waterworks villa
Arcachon's nineteenth-century municipal water plant now runs as a relaxed hotel, pairing garden bistronomy with regular literary and art salons.
What it’s good at
Notable
Striped Moorish brick arches and Spanish tilework fill the restored nineteenth-century pump station.
Notable
An 1884 municipal water lifting station preserved within Arcachon's historic pine-shaded villa quarter.
Listed
An open-air swimming pool sunk into an industrial reservoir beside a Moroccan hammam.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
an old pump house that’s been lovingly restored to a state that belies its humble origins, and now, with its striped columns, archways and red tile roof, resembles some kind of whimsical mash-up between an Italian villa and the famous mosque at Córdoba.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The shaded lanes of the Ville d'Hiver wind past ornate nineteenth-century villas, just uphill from Arcachon's bay.
The rooms
Rooms in the main pump house make use of its high industrial proportions, fitted with custom Bordeaux woodwork.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The pool
Hooded Strandkorb wicker chairs ring the heated pool, sheltered from the wind inside the station's former water tank.
Le Restaurant
Chef Xavier Béarnais serves seasonal market dishes and natural wines under vintage circus posters or out on the pine-shaded terrace.
How it began
The 1884 municipal water station stood quiet until hoteliers Olivier and Nathalène Arnoux restored it themselves in 2009.
Arcachon Bay
More like this
Hôtel des Dunes
“Pine-scented surf outpost”
Hôtel La Guitoune
“Retro neo-Basque inn”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
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.