If you want the perfect view of the ocean and waves for a great price? This is your spot. It’s pretty small and could potentially sleep four… maybe two adults and two children? The bathroom is huge and has a washing machine and nice towels. We provided our own soap and toilet paper. There was an issue with the hot water handle for the shower, but Mattieu showed up in moments to get it loose. It’s hard to turn on and off… needs a little extra muscle.
The kitchen had a good amount of tools to cook small meals. Only the saucepan worked with the induction stove. There are skillets there that won’t work. The fridge/freezer works very well!
When we arrived, it was 30 degrees and the room did not cool down at night even while closing the shutters. They could use more fans for days like this. There’s one in the room, but I could circulate more air by simply exhaling. :) It doesn’t work very well. Also, beware of mosquitoes!
Checking in was easy once we clarified a bit of a “lost in translation” moment. We met Souad (receptionist) at the Extola Bibi bar at the parking lot of Cotes des Basque. I highly recommend this arrangement if you have a car because it is difficult to navigate the streets down to the building. It sits at the bottom of the cliff. Also, there is NO PARKING.
If you bring a car, here is how it works:
Over night parking in front of the building is free from 19.00-09.00. During the day, it’s 30 minutes only. After that, we would move our car up the hill to the public parking by the Bibi Bar. I have no idea how much we spent. At least 20 Euros a day? We had to schedule our day around moving our car/adding more money - and it always entails a hike up and down the hill. This is not an ideal location for car owners who cannot hike hills. For us, it was ok but for others it could be a real expensive hassle.
If you have a car and need parking, look for online apps that offer deals at the nearby Indigo garages. The best deal I found was about 85 Euros for 6 days with 24-hour access. The closest lot is located around the north point near the casino. No hill hike required and it’s about a 15 min walk from the apartment. Plus it is by a lot of restaurants and shops, so it’s convenient.
The Sunset building that the flat is located in was built in the sixties and intended as a surf hotel. It’s got a bit of a Soviet vibe, but again, it’s all about hanging out on the balcony and watching the people on the malecón!
There are a couple restaurants below, but they are quiet pretentious. It’s a better bet to go into town! Also, make sure you visit Les Halles for shopping. The food is mind-blowing. Get a baguette, some cheese and local wine and post up on the malecón yourselves. Best sunsets ever!
Thank you, Mattieu for such a fun experience! And also, thanks to Souad for making our landing great as well. A super sweet lady!