Hélianthal Hôtel Thalasso & Spa - Saint-Jean-de-Luz

The immediate surroundings (land side) were disappointing and the exterior of the hotel lacked "polish". After a warm and efficient welcome I was astonished to find that we had to pay extra to use the Spa. I was not happy at the reception from the Spa staff (totally unhelpful and no English language translations for literature). As Spa treatments fully booked I bought some "marine potions" and gave myself a Spa in the beautiful Art Deco bathroom of my room - very much cheaper too. The hotel food is good and served in a splendid Art Deco dining room with the most magnificient views of the bay; the dining room is one of the best features of the hotel and gives one the impression of the great ocean Liners of a bygone age. Sadly the rather cramped bedrooms do not have sea views but I was told that you could hear the sound of the waves from all the garden rooms,and that from one or two of these rooms you might also be able to catch a tiny view of the sea!

The hotel has no free private parking as it is told in the describition on Venere. You have to park in a communal garage, which was very crowed. The amount for breakfast was very high.

There was a lack of information about the spa/pool. we booked one (expensive) night to have access to the pool - denied without a medical! Service was OK until a wedding intervened - the staff were busy and completely uninterested in us - would not reccomend or use again.