010 - Larrundarra Appartement  St-Jean-de-Luz (3 kms)

In our opinion

What makes Appartement Larrundarra a great holiday rental

It offers a great opportunity to have access to an-almost-private pool without 'breaking the bank'. The secluded location and views are very relaxing - this is an ideal spot to 'chill out' but also to make the most of the superb coast.

Best for:
Families looking for inexpensive accommodation with access to a pool, some seclusion and a good base for the beach and local day-trips. Especially appealing to adults appreciating the culture of the Pays Basque, or those simply wanting to enjoy the excellent local golf on offer. This is how we first discovered the property - golfing holidays with friends, before the birth of Alternative Aquitaine!

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - quiet & safe setting although not much garden
• Teenagers - quiet spot but not far to bustling St Jean de Luz
• Reduced mobility - ground floor accommodation

Anything to watch out for?
The adjoining house is lived in by the owners, a retired Dutch couple who spend their winters in America and their summers in St Jean-de-Luz. We don't as a rule take on properties sharing facilities with owners but here you will find the owners unobtrusive and you will pretty much have the pool to yourself.

A car would be absolutely essential as it's not possible to walk to any shops or amenities.

Why St Jean-de-Luz?
One of our favourites. A colourful and proudly Basque fishing port and holiday resort. A superb & safe town beach, excellent for the 'little ones'.

Accommodation

Peaceful and summery Basque Villa with pool and well-kept gardens

Larrundarra consists of the owners’ main house and a three-bedroom ground floor 'apartment', constructed in an L-shaped arrangement. The villa accommodation is spread over 140 square metres and is all at ground floor level; the owners' accommodation is above and to the side. The pool and gardens are shared but the privacy of guests is assured. Having holidayed at this property three times ourselves, you can be sure we know this place inside out!

Inside:

The villa is brightly furnished, airy and has a tiled floor throughout, all of which creates a summery feel. The villa is entered from the terrace, via the open-plan kitchen and living room. Wicker sofas and chairs provide plenty of seating for guests in the lounge area and there is satellite TV available. The dining table seats six people. The kitchen is well-equipped with microwave, stove and dishwasher.

The three bedrooms consist of two twins and a queen-size double. One of the twin-bed rooms has French doors opening out on to the terrace and pool area. Each room has dedicated hanging space for clothes. The room with double bed has en-suite facilities including a shower.

(A fourth bedroom is available, a studio annex with double bedroom & shower room, on thesame level but with separate access from the terrace.  The independence makes it suitable for grand-parents for example. A 150 EUR per week supplement applies.)

There is a separate family bathroom with bath, shower and wc plus an extra wc off the hallway.

A utility room with washing machines and dryers is also reached from the hallway.

Outside:

The swimming pool and terraced patio are immediately to the rear of the villa. The pool can be covered for safety and there are steps leading into the shallow end. There are plenty of sun-loungers plus a good size wrought iron table and chairs for dining outdoors. There is also a BBQ provided.

The gardens are very well-kept (it's a passion of Carmen's), the views are very relaxing and there is hardly a sound – perfect for sitting on the terrace with an aperitif.

The main driveway to Larrundarra is operated by electric gates and the apartment has a private parking area.

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (43.38751478, -1.625193357)

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

Things to Do & See

Nearby Activities
Surfing · Windsurfing · Sailing · Golf · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Spa & thalassotherapy · Pelote Basque · Hiking · Mountain biking ·

Day-trip Ideas

• Tour Basque Country villages: Ascain, Ainhoa, Sare, Espelette
• Visit Bayonne, the under-rated ‘capital’ of the Pays Basque
• Cross the border into Spain - San Sebastian, Pamplona & the Guggenheim
• Explore the Pyreneees National Park for its wildlife, walks & scenery
• Taste the glitz & glamour of 'Belle-Epoque' Biarritz

Our Personal Highlights

• Strolling St Jean de Luz's bustling streets, before drinks & supper!
• Sampling the pintxos - Basque tapas - in St Jean de Luz or Ciboure old town
• Catching a game of Basque pelote at one of the village frontons
• A visit to Ainhoa & Sare - both 'picture perfect' Basque Country villages
• 18 holes at gorgeous Golf de Chantaco - then lunch in the clubhouse
• Experiencing an assault on the senses at St Jean's daily market

The Local Area: St-Jean-de-Luz (3 kms)

St Jean de Luz
Whether its beaches, boutiques, culture, restaurants or festivals you are looking for, this town is hard to beat. Stylish but without the pretence of the Riviera, St Jean is an authentic and colourful seaside town and working fishing port. It has plenty to offer discerning visitors of all ages. In particular, this is a great place to eat out - St Jean de Luz is recognised as the capital of Basque cuisine and is noted for its seafood (it is one of Rick Stein’s favourite places).

Ascain
There are good restaurants and traditional shops here - it's a great place for an evening meal. Of historic interest is the 16thC church and the three-arched medieval bridge crossing the Nive. Ascain is also a good base for hikers and from here you can catching the funicular train to the summit of La Rhune. On the outskirts of the village, 1km along the back-road to St Jean de Luz, there's a sports area with tennis courts and outdoor pool.

There is a tourist office in Ascain on Rue Ernest Fourneau: www.ascain-tourisme.fr

Hendaye Plage
Sitting at the foot of the Pyrénées bordering Spain and the Atlantic ocean, Hendaye boasts an enviable and spectacular location, dominated by a 3kms stretch of sandy beach. The ocean location means there are all sorts of watersports to be sampled here...surfing, kite-surfing, wind-surfing, sailing, kayaking as well as diving in some of the quieter coves along the coast. Also, situated at the marina, is Serge Blanco's thalassotherapy centre and Hendaye casino.

Try the old town (Béhobie) for a more authentically 'Basque' experience, whether it be a pintxos bar or a game of pelote.

Boat trips run up and down the Bidassoa river, including trips to the Spanish side of the Bay. A visit to the village of Hondarrabia (Fuentarrabia) is a must. Famous for its tapas restaurants and bars, it's amazing to sense the immediate cultural change of being in Spain.

Customer Reviews

“You should make more of the spectacular position - the views from the accommodation and the access to walks etc was second to none.”

Mrs J Hargreaves, stayed in 2009

“We had another cracking holiday at Larrundarra this year. It is great to have such good neighbours and it certainly adds to the experience to have Ben and Carmen upstairs. [client stayed 2011 & 2010]”

Mr G Godbold, stayed in 2011