Any good hotel suggestions in Santander and Biarritz areas close to water?
Jul 21st, 2006, 05:54 AM
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Any good hotel suggestions in Santander and Biarritz areas close to water?
Hi,
For our upcoming Basque country trip in August I have booked hotels in San Sebastian and also in Laguardia (La Rioja). But now looking at the map closer I wonder if we'll be too far to do day trips to other beach areas we're also interested in, including around Santander/Cantabria on the west (El Sandinero beach, etc) and on the east Biarritz area. So thought we will try to base in each area a few days.
We're looking not to be in a large tourist beach hotel right on the beach, but prefer smaller, charming inns with water view/within walking distance to the beach away from the busiest areas. For example instead of Biarritz or St Jean le Luz, I contacted inns in Ciboure and Bidart instead (based on Nessundorma's suggestion, thanks!). And closer to Santander/Bilbao I checked hotel options in Asturias and Getxo (from Mikelg, thanks!). So far no luck as I'm rather late in booking for August.
To give you a sense of what I ideally like, hoping for something like Villa L'Arche in Bidart and Saiaz Getaria in Getaria (not in the areas I'm referring to but just as an example). Unfortunately these are fully booked. Can anyone recommend other similar feel/class hotels close to water/beach in Santander/Cantabria and Bidart/Ciboure?
Many many thanks!! FF
For our upcoming Basque country trip in August I have booked hotels in San Sebastian and also in Laguardia (La Rioja). But now looking at the map closer I wonder if we'll be too far to do day trips to other beach areas we're also interested in, including around Santander/Cantabria on the west (El Sandinero beach, etc) and on the east Biarritz area. So thought we will try to base in each area a few days.
We're looking not to be in a large tourist beach hotel right on the beach, but prefer smaller, charming inns with water view/within walking distance to the beach away from the busiest areas. For example instead of Biarritz or St Jean le Luz, I contacted inns in Ciboure and Bidart instead (based on Nessundorma's suggestion, thanks!). And closer to Santander/Bilbao I checked hotel options in Asturias and Getxo (from Mikelg, thanks!). So far no luck as I'm rather late in booking for August.
To give you a sense of what I ideally like, hoping for something like Villa L'Arche in Bidart and Saiaz Getaria in Getaria (not in the areas I'm referring to but just as an example). Unfortunately these are fully booked. Can anyone recommend other similar feel/class hotels close to water/beach in Santander/Cantabria and Bidart/Ciboure?
Many many thanks!! FF
Jul 21st, 2006, 06:44 AM
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FF...you mention Villa L'Arche...look no further...it's everything you want and more. We so thorighly enjoyed our stay there two years ago that we've recommended it to anyone intending to be in that area. From the Villa we drove the autoroute to Bilbao (90 miles) and went to San Sebastian, the Painted Forest, Hondarribia, St. Jean...and of corse Biarritz...the beach at the Villa is unlike any you've seen...almost a lunarscape with rock formations that make quite a photo op...go and enjoy. Be sure to get a room with balcony (I think they are #10, 11 and 12..check with hotel)...the host is delightful and the breakfasts sumptuous.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jul 21st, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Thanks Tower. I'm on the wait list and crossing my fingers.
Failing that, any other suggestions like the Villa l'Arche in the in the Biarritz outskirt areas and also to the west in the Santander area? Looking for pristine beach, a bit out of the way from the most crowded areas, and a charming inn close to water.
Mnay thanks!
Failing that, any other suggestions like the Villa l'Arche in the in the Biarritz outskirt areas and also to the west in the Santander area? Looking for pristine beach, a bit out of the way from the most crowded areas, and a charming inn close to water.
Mnay thanks!
Jul 21st, 2006, 11:04 PM
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have you tried Hotel Embarcadero in Getxo? www.hotelembarcadero.com
Aug 3rd, 2006, 06:11 AM
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Don't know if this comes too late, but check the "Villa Catarie" in Guethary, just down the road from Bidart. It's a member of Chateau Hotels of France and truly charming, with pool, and you can walk to Cenitz Plage or Les Alycons from there (just visited last week).
If they are booked (which is probable), check the Hotel Laminak (member of Relais de Silence) in nearby Arbonne. Pool-very friendly owners.
Also check the Hotel Edouard VII, our favorite, in Biarritz near Les Halles, in a quiet area with everything walkable. Rooms have blessed a/c. and buffet brk. on terrace is delightful. Very friendly staff. Another newish B&B right up the street is the
Clos Fontaine, cozy and cute (but no a/c).
www.hotelabiarritz.com
As for the Santander/Cantabria area, check the Parador at Limpias (truly lovely), which puts you within striking distance of both Bilbao and Santander. It has a pool, but you would have to drive to the beach.
I'm afraid that all the lovely casonas on the Cantabria coast and into Asturias will be fully booked now and many require a 4-5 or even 7 night minimum in high season. We ran into that problem last summer, even for July. You can always check
www.calidadcantabria.com
or www.casonasasturianas.com
but I think you need to look on the Vizcaya side to find something available at this late date.
If you don't mind a drive to Llaida or Laga beaches, you can also check the lovely Castillo de Arteaga in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, above Gernika. Rooftop pool.
Good luck!
If they are booked (which is probable), check the Hotel Laminak (member of Relais de Silence) in nearby Arbonne. Pool-very friendly owners.
Also check the Hotel Edouard VII, our favorite, in Biarritz near Les Halles, in a quiet area with everything walkable. Rooms have blessed a/c. and buffet brk. on terrace is delightful. Very friendly staff. Another newish B&B right up the street is the
Clos Fontaine, cozy and cute (but no a/c).
www.hotelabiarritz.com
As for the Santander/Cantabria area, check the Parador at Limpias (truly lovely), which puts you within striking distance of both Bilbao and Santander. It has a pool, but you would have to drive to the beach.
I'm afraid that all the lovely casonas on the Cantabria coast and into Asturias will be fully booked now and many require a 4-5 or even 7 night minimum in high season. We ran into that problem last summer, even for July. You can always check
www.calidadcantabria.com
or www.casonasasturianas.com
but I think you need to look on the Vizcaya side to find something available at this late date.
If you don't mind a drive to Llaida or Laga beaches, you can also check the lovely Castillo de Arteaga in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, above Gernika. Rooftop pool.
Good luck!
