Hôtel Côte Basque

“Helpful Staff & Good Hotel”

Everything about this hotel was good starting with its position right next to the train station and on the major T1 bus route. The man in reception was charming and helpful and my front-facing room had big windows that opened onto the street looking across to the river. The room was fairly small ... more

Everything about this hotel was good starting with its position right next to the train station and on the major T1 bus route. The man in reception was charming and helpful and my front-facing room had big windows that opened onto the street looking across to the river. The room was fairly small but adequate with a comfortable, big bed, a few shelves and a small leather armchair. The bed had a thin quilt with no top sheet as is common in Europe. There was no desk and no fridge, kettle or hairdryer although I expect that the latter would have been available from the staff if needed. I struggled a bit with the A/C but it was good once mastered. There seemed to be only one power outlet but it was readily accessible which is not always the case in older hotels. The bathroom was small with a shower and no tub and with good hot water pressure. The password protected wifi was okay for email and internet searching but wobbled a bit and disconnected during a video call. The hotel has a tiny lift just big enough for 1 person and 1 suitcase but good enough considering how many French hotels have only stairs. I really enjoyed my night at the Cote Basque and would be happy to stay there again in the future.

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“Nice base for a short break in the Basque Country”

We liked Bayonne and this hotel. It is "proper France" but with a slight Spanish twist (the border is only about 20 miles down the road). The hotel is well-situated on an attractive square with the railway station on the other side. There is a bridge over the large river to the main city (it h... more

We liked Bayonne and this hotel. It is "proper France" but with a slight Spanish twist (the border is only about 20 miles down the road). The hotel is well-situated on an attractive square with the railway station on the other side. There is a bridge over the large river to the main city (it has got a beautiful cathedral) with good shops and a fantastic traditional market on the other side. The hotel itself is comfortable and although it looks a bit French shabby-chic, like the vintage lift, the underlying facilities are modern and efficient. It does not make any pretence at being international. Breakfast is traditionally French but an excellent example of the type with lovely cheeses and charcuterie. The staff are pleasant and helpful but not all speak English. You are in France and specifically the Basque Country. It does not seem particularly well-known to the British these days, which is a shame because they are missing a lot. The hotel has a bus stop right outside and for €2 a day you can travel on the very efficient public transport system (including new all-electric buses) to the glitzy neighbour of Biarritz, with its beautiful beaches, surfing and cliff scenery.

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“Not the most welcoming”

We walked into Hotel Cotes Basque through a rather narrow entrance into a narrow reception area. There €262 was immediately taken off our credit card for two nights bed and breakfast for two and for parking in the station multi-storey 200 metres away. Only after paying were we given our room key ... more

We walked into Hotel Cotes Basque through a rather narrow entrance into a narrow reception area. There €262 was immediately taken off our credit card for two nights bed and breakfast for two and for parking in the station multi-storey 200 metres away. Only after paying were we given our room key card. Taking the elderly creaking lift up two floors we fond our room and managed to open the door on the fifth activation of the key card. This was a regular occurrence. On entering the room we were met with a sign stating “accessories found within the room are not souvenirs which you can take back home with you. A security check is done before every checkout.” How to make one feel welcome!! On checkout we were told that if we did not return the parking card we would be charged €20. Clearly they seem to expect their visitors to be thieves! Breakfast was not particularly good value at €11. No fresh orange juice and no eggs. On the positive side the room was well made up every day and the location is quite central, about 500m from the centre.

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