Le Grand Hôtel de la Poste

With a unique Neo-Basque style, this building is a small 18th century mansion, turned hotel, with 35 to 40 rooms. The Grand Hotel de la Poste was made famous when the Marquis de Lafayette stayed there on his way to America (1824). Located on a mostly pedestrian street (delivery, emergency, and garbage trucks still come through), it is very central. My room had no view of the ocean but the beach is only 2-3 minutes from here. Nothing is far in St Jean de La Luz – it is a very small town. The Grand Hotel de la Poste was a former 13th century post house (coaching inn) on the road to Spain. The Neo-Basque architecture was inspired by the farms of Labourd (one of the three Basque regions in France), with their symmetrical double-sloped roofs and half-timbering painted in oxblood red (for the livestock breeders), dark green (for the farmers), or Prussian blue (for the fishermen). From the outside, the walls are pure white with windows sandwiched between dark blue shutters (color of fishermen). A black rod iron fence lines the back of the building and a fairly long stairway leads to the back door, an arched doorway is at the front. It almost feels like front is back and back is front. Inside, a nearly black wooden stairway leads you to the second floor. Across from the front desk is a large room with a nice billiard table, and another sitting room with a fireplace, magazines stacked on cast iron radiators, colorful carpets, plush chairs, and dark wooden beams against a white ceiling. It has the feel of an old salon (reception room). The place is a bit dark but it goes with the age of the building, giving it a bit of a cachet. The parking behind (or is it the front?) the hotel is extremely tight. Our guide had to make several attempts before finally fitting the e-vehicle safely inside the ‘lines’. Couldn’t keep the window open for airflow as it was too noisy from the foot traffic below. Cigarette smoke would also waft right in. But who wants to stay in their room when the beach is so near. Unlike most other reviews here, I didn’t hear anything from the neighbors on either side of my room. Maybe I was just lucky that they were the quiet kind. The front desk people were really pleasant. Breakfast was adequate and fresh. Overall a decent – though not exceptional – experience.

Ok, the rooms may be small, but this place checks all the boxes. Perfect location, parking - though expensive - behind the hotel, great breakfast, comfortable rooms, nice common areas, super helpful staff. Don’t even think about it, this is a great value in this lovely town. Everything is within a few blocks. We were here two nights and would stay longer, but had to move on.

We have stayed at lot of four to five star hotels. This is a very special place. They care about the details and they are so accommodating and truly welcoming. The rooms are beautifully renovated and spacious. The bed was like sleeping on a cloud and the pillows are so comfortable (and there are three different types). I went to sleep listening to the sound of the waves hitting the beach… extraordinary…. Oh, and in the lobby they had a cookie jar filled of the most delicious homemade chocolate chip mini cookies!

Terrific hotel in St Jean de Luz (so much nicer a place than BIarritz). Easy walking distance from shops, restaurants and beach; lovely staff; rooms spacious and comfortable (ours with its own balcony); excellent breakfast. Would certainly stay here again.

Very impressed, right in the middle of town, very friendly staff. Clean room and lovely breakfast. The central staircase is very impressive. There is a car park behind the hotel that you pay for but a free one is just up the road next to the police station.

Opposite my favorite shop, Monoprix , and a very short walk from everywhere else (beach, shops, restaurants…) this hotel is just great. Lovely building, spacious reception area, comfortable lounge with lovely antique chairs and , more importantly , an excellent bedrooms. Ours had a little private garden, a very good size bathroom with a great shower, a separate toilet and a comfortable bed. Best of all was breakfast, with excellent pains au chocolat and croissants, various breads, ham and saucisson, cheeses and fruits etc , and plenty of delicious coffee served by two charming ladies. When back in Saint Jean de Luz, we will look no further.