Parc Victoria, hôtel et appartements, Saint-Jean-de-Luz

We needed a break after a long day and spotted this Relais et Château in the area. We went for a drink on the pool. The secret champagne cocktail was good. It is a quite a charming place but staff and service could be better.

Stayed for one night while on a car trip in the Pays Basques. The hotel must have been a turn of 19th century grand residence that was subsequently converted. Very nice property surrounded by old trees and lots of greenery. The location is a few blocks away from the waterfront which may be not the best for the views but on the other hand it's less busy. Friendly and helpful staff, excellent breakfast.

We booked this hotel knowing nothing about it except that it was just outside saint jean de luz and well reviewed. We were enchanted by the welcome we were given, our stay, the kindness of the staff and the beautiful surroundings and gorgeous room. Initially we had planned to take our meals in town but after our first magical breakfast on the terrace we were won over and we dined in the hotel’s marvellous restaurant on every night of our stay. A real gem which we have recommended to friends and to which we hope to return.

When trying to decide where to stay for one night along the southwest coast of France near the Basque Country, we narrowed our choice to Biarritz and St. Jean-de-Luz. The fabled Biarritz is of course all about the jet set, while the more subdued, yet no less picturesque St. Jean-de-Luz, had a decidedly more down to earth vibe, not to mention a fab village with countless indigenous shops and eateries. We chose the latter and specifically this Chateaux et Relais property, which, while older than others we've stayed at in Europe, offered us a private escape amidst lush grounds behind a gated entrance. If you're looking for something modern and sleek, Hotel Parc Victoria is probably not for you. If you'd like refined, comfortable and classic, then you'll be smitten with this property. (Think Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh versus Twombly, Koons and Hockney.) Our room was small, but had a charming view over the village rooftops. Again, it didn't have all the technology you might expect from a five-star property, but there were electric outlets so we could adequately charge our devices. The grounds were well-planted, even in early November, with private cottages, a dining house and heated pool. And the hotel was less than 10 minutes by foot to the seaside village. Again, my photos accompanying this review will do more justice to the hotel than my prose. Bottom line: if you're looking for a private escape in one of the most charming villages in France, Parc Victoria will more than satisfy. It also seemed especially well-suited for family with children.

I agree entirely with Larwe from Canada, although we stayed in the Pavilion rather than the hotel or its cottages. We lacked a balcony or terrace but had a wonderful roller blind to protect us from the savage sun. The location and gardens are a tranquil paradise away from the seafront bustle but close enough to it for a traditional French seafront meal, [plenty to choose from - see tripadvisor] at a fraction {30%} of the cost of the hotel restaurant (we did not eat there - the heat had stolen our appetite), lunch / evening drink in the old port or stroll out shopping in the town centre to be an easy and enjoyable walk. We were there in the middle of a heat wave in excess of 40 degrees C and the pool and garden were indeed an oasis. The air con in our room at 21 was initially like stepping into a fridge, but a very pleasant fridge at that - although you have to like Art Deco / shabby chic decor and idiosyncratic and no vista to see from your room, so no USP for us.. This is therefore a difficult one to score…..there is nothing really to fault it…certainly not the effort that has been put into it… It is not cheap, especially the evening meals in the restaurant; the breakfast is expensive but also expansive…and worth the money for the setting alone if you are able to sit outside…the service and courtesy from every single member of staff, from the gardeners to Madame herself is excellence personified. It just lacked something that did not tick our boxes. We are both retired professionals and easy going who have and are happy to mix with all levels of society so not the clientele - just something else lacking in overall ambience… This was the first relais et chateau chain hotel we had stayed at - indeed we did not realise it was a chain until some enthusiastic relais and chateau regulars, who were a joy to meet, pointed it out to us. (See website - all of which look good) So no nearer to understanding what was lacking. We are touring with our own car driving back along the Côte Atlantique from Bilbao to Caen staying in hotels of this standard in Spain and France. All have been five blobs-worthy but this one was just lacking any extra wow factor for us. Iriarte Jauregia in Bidania Goiatz was 6 blobs /5, Hotel Le B in Arcachon is easily 5.5/5 and 7/5 for their head receptionist, (who has been a complete star rearranging our booking 4x during Covid), so maybe we’re just being lucky with the hotels we’ve chosen. So it still gets 5/5 as I can’t really fault it, (and irrespective of this review, we still had a great time in St Jean de Luz and this hotel) but would not go back or recommend it other than to an Art Deco aficionado..or a gourmand with money to burn….or a couple looking for an oasis amidst a heatwave..

Richard Pérodeau vous propose un magnifique séjour dans son trésor caché du Sud-Ouest!! Un service en restaurant impeccable, mené par une équipe efficace (Merci à Sylvain, Virgile, Nicolas, Ghislaine, Antoine...). Pour un séjour plein de charme, des souvenirs plein la tête, n'hésitez pas ! Une mention spéciale au chef absolument HORS NORME Guillaume Applaincourt et son FABULEUX patissier Jérémy Bidegain...Les plats sont à couper le souffle tant dans la présentation que dans la dégustation...Cet Hôtel au Jardin luxuriant est une pépite à ne surtout pas rater !!