Photos by Olivia Hoffman
Welcome to our monthly series: Destination France!
Each month we will share an in-depth feature on one of our favorite hotels or guesthouses from around France to help you feel right at home the minute you arrive.
There are places that feel less like hotels and more like well-kept secrets — Brindos Lac & Château is one such place. Nestled in Anglet, a town just minutes from Biarritz and the Atlantic Coast, this lakeside retreat invites guests into a peaceful environment suspended in time. It’s a place made for slow mornings, long conversations, and quiet contemplation — a graceful reminder that true luxury lies in tranquility.
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When we visited in early October, the region’s golden light shimmered across the lake as the air turned gently crisp, revealing the destination’s quiet magic. Here, amid reflections of water and woodlands, we discovered a refuge that balances humble nature with upscale indulgence — a poetic pause between ocean and forest.
A Legacy of Elegance
The story of Brindos begins in the 1930s, when Scottish art and antiques collector Sir Reginald Wright fell under the spell of a hidden 10-hectare (25-acre) lake in the Brindos district — named after a Spanish aristocrat — just north of France’s southern border with Spain.
He built a grand residence overlooking the water to serve as a sanctuary where Parisian and Anglo-Saxon high society could gather to embrace the oceanic climate in total seclusion. Writers, couturiers, and visionaries mingled beneath Spanish-Moorish arches and chandeliers, savoring the Basque sunshine and sense of freedom in a place that felt sheltered from the rest of the world.
Over time, the estate changed hands — first becoming a private home, later a guest retreat — but its spirit of refined revelry endured. When entrepreneurs Fabien and Michaël Bertini took over in 2022, they infused the historic property with a new vitality. Today, Brindos Lac & Château stands as a member of Relais & Châteaux, a luxurious yet relaxed enclave where unspoiled nature meets heritage craftsmanship.
Step Inside the Château Suites
Inside the hotel, 29 rooms and suites evoke the timeless romance of stately living, imbued with the coastal country charm of the Basque region. Parquet floors gleam beneath linen-draped canopies; grand bathrooms are flooded with light through impressive bay windows; and white French doors open to a private terrace with a wrought iron balcony and terracotta tiles.
Each space feels personal, like a room in a beloved family home. Light streams in from the lake-facing windows, illuminating mirrors sourced from Spanish flea markets and lamps shaped like long coral. The atmosphere recalls the château’s glamorous past, yet it feels distinctly modern and comfortable — luxurious without ostentation.
Glide Over to the Floating Lodges
Expanding onto the natural lake, Brindos unveils a world that feels entirely other with ten floating lodges that drift gently on the water. Reached only by wooden motorboat, these small sanctuaries offer complete seclusion and a direct connection with nature.
Each lodge feels like a private island — softly lit, wood-paneled, and serenely still. Morning begins with breakfast delivered by boat as mist curls off the water; evening arrives with aperitifs on the terrace as little families of ducks glide by. Some lodges even feature private hot tubs as well as royal canopy-style bedrooms.
Dining on the Lake
At Brindos, dining is as much about atmosphere as it is about flavor. Local enthusiasts and curious guests gather on the dock to sip inventive cocktails and Franco-Spanish tapas as the sun dips behind the trees. When the weather chills, the opulent interior bar feels like a sunken mansion at the bottom of the sea with chandeliers resembling jellyfish floating above.
Looking out over the lake, the dining room offers a more refined experience, where each plate blends tradition and innovation. Breakfast is a small slice of heaven offering a buffet of creative cuisine in portions small enough to have a taste of it all as the morning sun gently pours in.
Relaxing at the Spa
The Brindos spa extends the château’s sense of serenity into a sanctuary of light and water. The space, adorned in soft mosaics and antique mirrors, encompasses relaxing treatment rooms with Equatoria products. Four whirlpool baths surrounded by billowing curtains and an individual sauna room complete the atmosphere of rejuvenation.
Across the garden, a pool surrounded by trees and tropical plants creates an environment designed for restoration. Bamboo loungers shaded by fringed fabric parasols induce a level of calm that lingers long after leaving.
A Prime Location Between Land and Sea
While the hotel feels blissfully removed from the world, it lies just five minutes from the Biarritz train station and airport, and a short cycle from the Atlantic coast. Guests can wander into Anglet or Biarritz for ocean breezes, surf culture, and vibrant markets — then return to the château’s hushed hideaway.
The setting beautifully captures the essence of the Basque Country which is grounded yet refined, wild yet cultivated.
Book Your Stay
Brindos Lac & Château offers an invitation to slow down, to savor, and to rediscover the quiet art of living leisurely on the southwest coast of France. Book your next stay on their website: brindos-cotebasque.fr/en/.
For additional ideas for travel around the region, check out our Itinerary to the Basque Country