Basque Country - where to stay?

Old Apr 4th, 2013, 02:06 PM
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Basque Country - where to stay?

Our September trip to the Dordogne is coming along fine, we're looking at a few very nice B&B's/small hotels for our first week in and around Sarlat. After about 4 days in Basque Country, we'll plan to head back to, or near, La Rochelle for 3 - 4 days before flying home from Paris. There seem to be plenty of the same types of lodgings in La Rochelle too.

It is the middle section that we're having difficulty with. We really want to spend some time in San Sebastian, but have been unable to locate anything comparable to the places we're checking out in both locales in France. What we are finding are either extremely basic pensions, almost to the level of a hostel, or fancy beach-side hotels for 350 Euro per night and up. Nothing in between.

Are there any nice, historic small towns near this area where we might find "characteristic" B@Bs or small hotels? Our price range is around 200 Euro per night - we've been able to stay under that in France. The locale could either be near the beach or inland, and we'd also consider staying on the French side of the border - though not far from San Sebastian. But we prefer to base in a small town or village, not in a country setting.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 02:18 PM
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Upon re-reading my post, I should have said that our price range for rooms is $200 per night, not Euro.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 02:50 PM
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My late husband and I stayed in the beautiful French Basque village of Ainhoa at the Hotel Ithiurria, Great food and wine.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 03:15 PM
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St. Jean de Luz is a charming seaside town on the French
side. We found it a great place to stay while we explored
both the Spanish and French Basque areas.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 03:17 PM
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We stayed in St Jean de Luz...and also in San Sebastian
Both were lovely...stayed at Hotel Astoria in SS
and I think it was around $200...10 min walk to beach and 20 min walk to old town
Hope this helps
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 03:33 PM
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Have you searched the Fodor's Forums? Use the word Sarlat, and you will find lots of entries, including trip reports.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 04:11 PM
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immini and erb - Thanks for the great suggestions, we have been looking at St Jean de Luz. Do either of you have the name of the hotel where you stayed?

cigalechanta - Both Ainhoa and Hotel Ithiurria look like exactly what we are looking for, I'll check into this further. Thanks.

Rasta - Thanks, but we're in good shape for the Sarlat portion of the trip, looking for help in the Basque region.

More suggestions would be welcome.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 05:15 PM
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We stayed a couple of times in St-Jean-de-Luz, which I love, in I think the Hôtel Splendide, which was close to the beach and very affordable. Not entirely sure about the name though - it was quite a few years ago. Love that town!
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 05:53 PM
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Sorry, Phillyboy, my memory expires after 15 minutes and we
were there 8 years ago.
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Old Apr 4th, 2013, 11:34 PM
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Why have you put your prices in Dollars? What dollars are you talking about?
I know one or two places I could recommended but the prices are in Euros. Not one of the many versions of dollars used in the world.
Yes you are right I am hissed off!
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 12:48 AM
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We stayed at the Sercotel Codina hotel in San Sebastian in mid-August last year and 2 rooms cost around 200€ (other hotels were charging around that for a triple with third-bed an extra bed)which was a great bargain for high season. It's a 3-star, recently modernised. Near Ondarreta beach so a bit of a walk from the main part of town (a nice walk by the beaches with great views of La Concha beach); there's also a bus.
Hondarribia is lovely, but the parador is one of the 3 most expensive paradors in Spain apparently!
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 01:02 AM
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We are staying at the Hotel Obispo in Hondarribia in Sept. It's a 3* with doubles at $140. A friend I trust recommended it. The parador was more than we wanted to pay.

I much prefer St Sebastiàn to St Jean de Luz only because I like the feel of the city and the vibrant old town.

The Hotel Parma in S. B. has a great location and reserved parking (extra). Do not book a ground floor room, they are really lower ground and have only transom windows. Request 1st floor (US second). It should come in just on your budget. Whether over night or a day trip, do not miss San Sebastiàn.
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 01:30 AM
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CORRECTION Our double is $250 at the Obispo, single for a friend with us is $144.
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 03:53 AM
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Thanks for the helpful replies, we are already looking at some places in Hondarribia, and I'll also check out the ones mentioned in San Sebastian and St Jean de Luz.

ribierasacra - What's with the attitude? Sorry, I mistakenly used the number 200 in my first post, so I wanted to clarify my budget in my second. I'm American, so I naturally think in dollars first. I guess I should have said that we want to budget around 155.04 Euro per night - at today's exchange rate. Sheesh!
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 09:16 AM
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Lekeitio is quite nice.
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Old Apr 5th, 2013, 09:16 AM
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There is no place like San Sebastian though.
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Old Apr 6th, 2013, 12:19 AM
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Right Egbert, no place like San Sebastián!

Plenty of hotels in town at around 200$. Here are 79 hotels in San Sebastián with reviews etc. And note that most Pensiones and Hostales in Spain are usually small hotel standard family owned places: http://www.booking.com/searchresults...1;city=-401497
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Old Apr 6th, 2013, 03:33 AM
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I am sorry I do not know you are American do I there are many counties which use some form of dollar not just the USA. Most of the hotels, no sorry all of the hotels, I have stayed in Spain have only accepted the €.
Sorry if these facts have offended you.
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Old Apr 6th, 2013, 05:17 AM
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Hi
name of hotel in St Jean De Luz is
Grand Hotel Loreamar Thalasso Spa
Gorgeous..on the beach, very country french in design...well priced for what you get...try booking on booking.com...a bit cheaper that way
Have a great trip
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Old Apr 6th, 2013, 05:35 AM
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In San Sebastián you should take a look at these nice and small hotels:
Artea Narrika: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/artea-narrika.en.html
Villa Soro: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/villasoro.en.html
Hotel Donosti: http://www.hoteldonosti.com/inicio_en.html

About fabulous San Sebastián, the culinary capital of Spain:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/07...pain.html?_r=0

"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.shopping2
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