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.

Upon re-reading my post, I should have said that our price range for rooms is $200 per night, not Euro.

My late husband and I stayed in the beautiful French Basque village of Ainhoa at the Hotel Ithiurria, Great food and wine.

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.

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

Have you searched the Fodor's Forums? Use the word Sarlat, and you will find lots of entries, including trip reports.

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.

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!

Sorry, Phillyboy, my memory expires after 15 minutes and we
were there 8 years ago.

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!

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!

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.

CORRECTION Our double is $250 at the Obispo, single for a friend with us is $144.

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!

Lekeitio is quite nice.

There is no place like San Sebastian though.

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

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.

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

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

Thanks again to all, I think with these suggestions we will be able to figure out what to do. I have learned that the San Sebastian film festival is going on during our dates, so the rates at many of the better choices have spiked, and availability is scarcer than in other times. But we can't really adjust the dates, so we may stay in one of the neighboring towns if we can't find what we want in SS.

ribeirasacra - No problem, sometimes comments in writing don't come across as intended. Maybe when we decide where we will be, you can visit and buy me a drink, or I can buy you one. ;-)

Hi PB,

We enjoyed our stay at http://www.hotelzaragozaplaza.com/ in San Sebastian. Ask for a room with a balcony facing the plaza.

It is much better than its star rating would suggest.

Enjoy your visit.

Zaragoza Plaza is in the absolute best location, 100 meters from the beautiful La Concha beach promenade and five minutes walking from the Parte vieja/Old town.

I spent a few days at Hotel de la Plage in St. Jean de Luz. Beachfront, nice enough, rooms begin at 89euro, rising from there depending on season and room type.

We had a simple and clean room with terrace for what seemed like a very good price/value ratio a few years ago.

http://www.hoteldelaplage.com/

We stayed in Hotel Obispo in Hondarribia;we found it in Maribel's Guides. It is a nice spot, lovely people working there with exceptional breakfasts including crepes.Be aware that the San Sebastian airport is within view, on the riverside.We saw flights coming in during the day but were not disturbed at night. Parking is limited, not enough spaces for all guests, however we always were able to find a spot. We enjoyed Hondarribia and were able to explore both the Spanish and French Basque region easily from this base.
St-Jean de Luz is very appealing as are the charming villages a short distance away up in the foothills such as Sare, Ainhoa, Ascain, Espellette. Enjoy that beautiful,part of the world, one of our favorite trips.