Les Hortensias du Lac
Soorts-Hossegor, France
Vibe
A lakeside surf lodge beneath Landes pines where guests cycle to the Atlantic surf and unwind on wooden decks.
“Lakeside surf hideaway”
Whitewashed timber panelling, rattan rugs, and decorative surfboards mounted above beds lend an upscale coastal aesthetic.
Attentive Relais and Chateaux hospitality, complimentary afternoon pastries, cruiser bikes, and Swedish organic botanical bath amenities.
A sand-stone spa featuring an outdoor Nordic bath, hammam, cold plunge, and organic seaweed-based body rituals.
On the shores of Lac d'Hossegor among pine trees, a short walk from Plage de la Graviere.
“all are newly decorated in a style that owes more than a little bit to the idea of a Hamptons-style surf shack…”
Rooms
Interiors feature white shiplap walls, sisal rugs, and playful in-room swings, with suites opening onto lake-view balconies.
“On the shore of Lac d'Hossegor is the 25-room Les Hortensias du Lac, whose 2019 redesign added playful touches like rattan rugs and in-room swings.”
Wellness
A sandstone spa offers a hammam, traditional sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor Nordic baths, alongside an emerald-tiled infinity pool facing the water.
“With its fragrant pines, white exterior with forest green trim, and wooden decks, the 1930s art deco villa that houses Les Hortensias du Lac suggests the northeastern USA more than southwest France.”
Backstory
Founded in the 1930s as a Basque-Landaise villa, the retreat was transformed by Les Domaines de Fontenille into an Atlantic coastal refuge.
Eat & drink
Chef Philippe Moreno prepares Capbreton market seafood on the lake-facing deck, complemented by estate wines from Domaine de Fontenille.
The neighborhood
Tucked along the calm saltwater lake, the property sits moments from pine forest trails and the Atlantic swells at Plage de la Graviere.
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.