Villa Magnan, Biarritz, France

Set on three verdant acres of parkland, the property consists of three neo-Basque outbuildings –  the caretaker’s lodge, the driver’s house and the gardener’s house – and the main house, Villa Château, which is not currently accessible to guests. Remarkably, despite decades of neglect, when the Israëls first arrived it was as if nothing had changed since 1936, and the estate remained a time capsule to its original Art Deco design. 

The villa’s recently opened restaurant De Puta Madre (a Spanish expression meaning something is awesome) adds another dimension to the boutique getaway by way of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients alchemised by chefs in residence, in a kitchen that’s situated in one of the garden’s greenhouses. The ever-changing array of dishes echoes the villa’s innovative nature; guests are not told the menu prior to eating to create a dinner party-like experience. 

Breakfast, included in the room rates, is a similar communal affair, with guests seated together at a large table on the terrace with an appetising selection of plates and cakes to choose from. Like a real family, guests are invited to chat together “about everything and nothing”, as Anne says, and there’s even a record player and vinyls on the table to inspire the occasional morning boogie.

Throughout the villa, you’ll notice organic artisanal soap, Loewe’s sculpture-like candles and diffusers in fresh scents, and intricate original mosaics in all of the bathrooms. And, if the guesthouse’s particular brand of eclecticism piques your interest, there is also a small vintage shop on site, stocking a slew of fashion and homeware as well as pieces from Anne’s daughter Zelie’s brand Umlaut.

Our favourite detail though, has to be the family of furry friends that call the villa home. Among them, you’ll find a rooster, a pony, an albino peacock and everyone’s darling, Hector the donkey, who roams freely anywhere he likes, and we mean anywhere. 

Once your stay is over, you can recreate the unique mood at home thanks to a specially created Spotify playlist by French publication, Le Fooding.