“We don’t invent a strategy; we just fall in love with something, and the magic works”. These words of Frédéric Biousse perfectly sum up the whole spirit of the Domaines de Fontenille, a hospitality collection that includes Les Hortensias du Lac. A new concept in “luxury” hotels, although the co-founder of Experienced Capital, and his companion Guillaume Foucher, prefer the term “designer”. Designer hospitality, then, is for these two first and foremost a philosophy. Buildings, five in all, acquired as separate houses. Their own. And designed as such! From the interior decoration, designed in collaboration with Béryl Le Lasseur, to pieces of art and even the playlists or the tableware; the couple are involved in every aspect. “Our whole aim is to respect the emotion felt on discovering the place for the first time”, smiles the creator of La Galerie Particulière, who decided to end that chapter of his life in late 2019 so that he could fully consecrate his time to this new artistic playground. But back to Les Hortensias du Lac, which at the time of writing is Frédéric and Guillaume’s most recent acquisition. With its laid-back feel similar to the surf hotels of The Hamptons, this Landes beach-style villa, built in the 1930s, is also the group’s first on the Atlantic coast. In Hossegor to be exact, where it overlooks the saltwater lake, a stone’s throw from the Ocean. An amazing location, faithful once again to the philosophy of the Domaines de Fontenille which aims to be present in the most beautiful spots in Europe. To complete the picture are a brand new 450m² spa and a large restaurant in a completely natural setting, where the chef Philippe Moreno (who previously worked under Gérald Passedat) dreams up superb dishes that bring out the best in local produce. Perfectly managed simplicity for luxury that is totally assumed: what a success for the opening of the first “surf lodge” in France to be mentioned in the Guide Michelin. One thing is certain; the future expansion of the Domaines de Fontenille is worth following very closely!
Les Hortensias du Lac, 1578 Avenue du Tour du Lac – 40150 Soorts-Hossegor. Contact: reception@leshortensiasdulac.com. Telephone: (+33) (0)5 58 43 99 00
Photography: Eve Camprestrini – Text: Caroline Balvay @thesocialitefamily
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