028 - Studio de l'Ocean  Hossegor

In our opinion

What makes Studio de l'Ocean a great holiday rental

This is very simple to answer!

• It's almost on the beach
• It's inexpensive
• It's tastefully finished 
• There are bars, cafes and restaurants in walking distance
• It's the best surf spot in Europe

Best for:
This is an ideal holiday let for couples seeking for an inexpensive rental close to the surf, cafes, bars and shops. Equally, it would suit a young family with one or two kids who don't mind sharing a room with Mum/Dad.

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - enclosed patio terrace & very close to beach
• Teenagers - great location but would have to share room with parents
• Reduced mobility - not suited

Anything to watch out for?
The flat is within a beach-side apartment residence. It's not the most attractive building in the world and the main entrance to the apartment is via a communal stairwell - it's a little dark and uninspiring (typical of French seaside apartment blocks). But it's only one flight of stairs to the apartment and once inside it's a completely different story. The owners are investigating direct access to their flat from the patio (which is at ground level).

Why Hossegor?
An established surfing resort with a very 'cool' vibe. The resort offers great beaches, good shopping, a lovely lagoon and plenty of activities (surf, golf, tennis, cycling, sailing & more).

Accommodation

Original and stylish studio flat, steps from the best surf in Europe.

Rob and Megan - the owners of Studio de l'Océan - first contacted us when they began looking to buy a holiday flat in the area. We helped advise them on location, and gave guidance on what rents well, as well as the things to avoid.

In fact, we don't normally take on studio apartments. But we decided to do so in this case because the owners have made such a good job of renovating it, and of course because the location is so appealing.

Throughout the apartment you will see examples of Rob's hand-carved oak furnishings - wood that he has felled, milled and turned himself. The oak, sycamore and cedar furniture really help to set this apartment aside from the rest.

Originally a one-bedroomed flat, the decision was taken to remove several walls in order to make the apartment more light and spacious - it has to be said that many French apartments that we visit (and invariably reject) are simply too dark and miserable to consider! At 40m2 in total (interior space), this studio flat is the size of many 2 bedroom French apartments.

Inside:

The living room has a sofa, a separate 140cm double bed, a 90cm single bed (stowed underneath the double) plus bunk beds. The top bunk bed is narrow (75cm) and more useful as a bit of storage. For comfort, we recommend no more than 3-4 people share the apartment.

The room also features a dvd player with 8'x6' projector screen plus internet access (fixed line, not wi-fi). Note there is no TV in the flat as so far it's proved impossible to get a decent reception. However, there is a new dvd library featuring over 70 titles.

The flat has a large shower room which has been newly fitted with shower and large sink plus WC.

The kitchenette contains: washing machine, dishwasher, fridge, cooker, and microwave.

Outside:

The flat benefits from a large (32m2) terrace area decked with freshly milled cedar. The area is made private by a surrounding hedge. Outdoor furniture is provided.

An electric BBQ is provided.

There is no dedicated car parking space but the large car park that serves the apartment is only a minute away and usually has spaces even in the height of the season.

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (43.65606538, -1.444586813)

We endeavour to be as accurate as possible using Google maps but some error is possible.

Things to Do & See

Nearby Activities
Surfing · Kitesurfing · Windsurfing · Sailing · Water-skiing · Jet-skiing · Kayaking · Golf · Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Spa & thalassotherapy · Pelote Basque · Course Landaise · Aqua Parc ·

Day-trip Ideas

• Belle-Epoque Biarritz - style & surf chic combined
• Pretty Basque fishing port & resort, St Jean de Luz
• Discover the 'postcard' hillside villages of the Basque Country
• Hop over the border into Spanish for San Sebastian or the Guggenheim
• Explore the superb Pyrenees National Park for great walks & wildlife
• Visit the under-rated city of Bayonne, the Pays Basque capital

Our Personal Highlights

• Walking just 50 yards to the surf!
• Rise early-morning and watch the fishermen return with their catch
• Retail therapy in the town's many surf boutiques & outlet centre
• Hire bikes and explore the coast, forests and lagoon
• Catch an exhibition of Course Landais or Basque Pelote

The Local Area: Hossegor

The local region of Sud Landes is typical Aquitaine - endless stretches of sandy beaches buffeted by the Atlantic ocean, vast pine forests punctuated by the occasional lake and criss-crossed by a network of cycle trails.

Capbreton and Hossegor are neighbouring seaside towns which between them offer an appealing contrast. Hossegor is the more famous, largely through its surfing heritage. It's a 'feelgood' place offering boutique shopping, great bars, nightlife and restaurants, world-famous surfing beaches, casino, and a lovely golf course pllus a beautiful lagoon for safe bathing.

Capbreton lives in the shadow of Hossegor but it's the place the locals prefer for eating out and for beaches. It's definitely the more authentic of the two, largely because of its fishing port and daily fish market. In fact, the town thrived in the 19th century as a whaling port and this sea-faring heritage is still very much apparent today.

It also has a charming town centre and market. Capbreton is just more French than Hossegor, if you see what we mean. It remains, admirably, something of a French (and Spanish) secret.

Capbreton sea-front is a bustling place, day and evening. You can walk all the way along the marina and sea-front. The jetty, known locally as l'estacade, offers excellent coastal views. There's normally a few locals here trying to catch a fish for supper. It makes for great viewing!

Like most of the south west coast, Capbreton-Hossegor is something of an outdoor playground. Take your pick from surfing, canoeing, sailing, diving, fishing, cycling, tennis, horse-riding and golf to name a few. Golfers will enjoy the local course, the 1930s-built Golf d’Hossegor. The traditional club house is also a delight. A short drive up the road is Seignosse, a water and forest monster of a course ranked in Continental Europe’s Top 50. There are other great courses within 45 minutes drive including Moliets and several around Biarritz.

Hossegor regularly holds major surfing competitions; the whole Aquitaine coast is a perfect venue for surfers but here, the presence of an offshore hollow in the sea-bed gives the waves here that extra edge. If you don't fancy a go yourself, just sit on the sea-front with a drink of your choice and watch the surfers ride to shore. Surfing visitors will also want to visit the outlet centre at Soorts where the major brands have factory stores selling boards, accessories and clothing.

Cyclists can enjoy the many safe forest tracks that connect between the towns along the coast. Sailing enthusiasts should head for the marina. Being so close to the Pays Basque border, sporting life also includes the legendary game of pelote; you can watch a game at the fronton in Hossegor.

Customer Reviews

“Exactly as described, excellent value for money.”

Mrs A McNulty, stayed in 2010

“Outstanding match, couldn't ask for anything more. Ideal value for money... loved it.”

Mrs L Cowan, stayed in 2010

Ms J Milne, stayed in 2010

Ms Tessa Kimbell, stayed in 2010

“High quality apartment and accurate to the description provided.”

Ms L Bougourd, stayed in 2010

“We had the time of our lives! The flat was really nicely made up - compliments to the owners. We loved it.”

Mr S Maeland, stayed in 2009

Ms J Conan, stayed in 2009

Mr R Horrocks, stayed in 2011

Mrs D Olding, stayed in 2011

Mr Meaton, stayed in 2011