The legacy of Lanvin, Chanel, and Balenciaga converges in Biarritz’s trending hotel
The legacy of Lanvin, Chanel, and Balenciaga converges in Biarritz’s trending hotel
There is an interesting connection between the Basque Country and fashion: this region was the birthplace to some of the most important names in haute couture, such as Cristóbal Balenciaga and Paco Rabanne; moreover, the axis formed by Biarritz and San Sebastián –summer hot spots for the aristocracy in the Belle Époque– made it worth it for big designers like Balenciaga, Jeanne Lanvin, and Coco Chanel to open boutiques here. Although the majority of shops ended up closing with the passage of time, in Biarritz some of the most iconic maisons, like Hermès, continue to be present.
Wishing to pay tribute to the fashion world of that era, Le Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa – Mgallery Hotel Collection was reborn in 2014. This five-star hotel, located in a mansion built in 1907, is full of decorative details that allude to the special bond existing between the Basque Country and the fashion world. Guests who stay here can find birds painted on the mirrors which inevitably make them think of Lanvin. There are also floors lined with perfect geometric shapes reminiscent of the fine silk scarves by Hermès and drawings of camellias (the legendary symbol of Chanel) on the headboard of the bed, the carpet, and even bathroom tiles.
To complete their guests’ stay, Le Regina offers a package they call “Mémorable Moment– Biarritz Couture,” which includes a guided tour of the city to get to know the places that were especially relevant for designers like Jean Patou, Chanel, and Lanvin. This private tour, which comes complete with a glass of champagne in a historic tearoom, is guided by Nathalie Beau de Loménie, the author of the book Biarritz et la Mode.
In addition to haute couture, earthly pleasures are the other great asset of Le Regina: its popular cocktail bar known as Café N, its bistronomic restaurant Iqori, its outdoor heated pool, and its spa have all helped to make it one of the trendiest hotels in the French Basque Country. Le Regina is like a tailored suit for fashion lovers; an unrestricted palace in which the history of good clothing can be discovered through the hotel’s symbolism and its haute couture services.
Le Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa – Mgallery by Sofitel
52 Avenue de l’Impératrice, Biarritz.
Tel.: +33 559 413 300
