L’Escale has always been more than just a building; it’s a place full of stories. In fact, this traditionnal basque edifice used to be an hotel and restaurant for many years. Then it became the house I grew up into and that my parents ran as a bed&breakfast for 20 years, nestled in the heart of the charming village of Guéthary.
After eight years of traveling and living abroad, I found myself drawn back to where it all started. Sometimes, you realize the best place to be is the one you had in front of your eyes all this time. That’s when the idea of creating a hostel at L’Escale came to life. A few months into renovating the house together with lots of love and attention to details ; it has become a dream come true to welcome travelers from around the world, share stories, and introduce them to the place I’m proud to call home.
Our vision for L’Escale is simple: to offer affordable accommodation in Guéthary so that everyone — especially young travelers and solo adventurers — can experience the beauty of the Basque coast while getting the opportunity to create new, beautiful and authentic connections.
As seasoned travelers ourselves, we know that the people you meet on your journey make all the difference and turn your trip into an unforgettable experience. As the saying goes, “A place is only as good as the people in it.” With that in mind, we’ve designed L’Escale to foster connections and create shared memories. From the moment you arrive, we’re here to warmly welcome you, make sure you enjoy your time and feel a sense of belonging here.
Located in the heart of Guéthary, L’Escale is perfectly placed for you to soak up the village lifestyle. Explore the local market, sip coffee on sunny terraces, wander down to the beaches, enjoy the local life at the charming little port or watch breathtaking sunsets over the ocean. Summer in Guéthary is something you’ll carry with you long after you leave.
Over the past years, Guéthary has become famous amongst surfers. In fact, surf is a big part of our lives here. If you're experienced, you'll love the incredible spots nearby as Parlementia (5 minutes walk) or Cenitz (10 minutes walk). If you're a beginner, you will find gentler waves around; and if you don’t want to surf, for sure you will enjoy watching people riding waves !
We can’t wait to welcome you and share the magic of Guéthary with you!
Here, we give our best to create for you a home away from home. We hope it will be the space where you will meet new and old friends, create memories, slow down for a while and the place you want to keep coming back to.
Warm regards
Ella & the l'escale team and family :)