Fab 40: Hôtel Ville d'Hiver, Arcachon
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Thank you for signing up to Wallpaper. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Transforming a 19th-cenutry water factory into a luxurious boutique hotel is no easy feat, but seasoned hoteliers Olivier and Nathlaene Arnoux have made it look effortless with their Arcachon-based bolthole in southwestern France.
Opting to ‘do it themselves’ rather than fork out for costly interior designers, the recession-savvy couple sourced many of the hotel’s materials in Europe, including the French stone used on the exterior and the Spanish ceramic found underfoot in the lobby. The result is a spectacular conversion that certainly tickles our French fancy, with twelve well-appointed bedrooms boasting sleek, contemporary interiors, an on-site restaurant serving exquisite French classics and an in-house spa offering steamy sessions in the Moroccan hammam.
British touches are evident throughout, with luscious licks of Farrow & Ball paint, fabulous fabric by Mary Fox Linton, and occasional tweed, too, making something of a comeback. Built in 1884, the property hasn’t lost any of its original charm, either; authentic features have been kept, painstakingly restored and then recycled, such as the water tank, now flanked by crisp blue-and-white seating and used as a gorgeous al fresco swimming pool.
The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon
Read the article: AU*M Architectes Urbanistes
Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Read the article: Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
Read the article: Christian Biecher & Associes%A
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
Read the article: Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
VW House by Franklin Azzi
Read the article: VW House by Franklin Azzi
Ara dress by Heal Fashion
Read the article: Heal Fashion
Sleeveless Ara dress by Heal fashion
Ara dress detail by Heal fashion
Baby Horse dress by Ara fashion
Odysee dress by Ara fashion
Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon
Read the article: Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Read the article: Le Mont St Michel fashion