A new boutique hotel is opening at the far tip of Cap Ferret and it comes with serious design credentials. Created by hotelier Laurent Taïeb in collaboration with Philippe Starck, Villa Colette is set right on the waterfront, overlooking the Arcachon Bay.
The 28-room property is designed to feel more like a private home than a traditional hotel. Housed in a neo 19th-century inspired building facing the village square, Villa Colette leans into Cap Ferret’s slower pace of life. Think mornings by the water, bike rides through pine forests, and easy afternoons that stretch into sunset.
Getting there is part of the appeal. From Paris, Cap Ferret is about 3 hours by train to Arcachon followed by a short ferry or car ride, making it a relatively easy escape from the city.
Inside, the design keeps things light and understated. Rooms are finished in soft tones with mahogany details, and many open onto private gardens, balconies, or terraces with views of the bay, forest, or village. Starck’s signature touch shows up in subtle ways through playful details, curated artwork, and a sense of personality without overstatement.
The hotel’s restaurant is led by chef Benjamin Six, with a menu that mixes local seafood with international influences. Expect a focus on fresh catches and seasonal ingredients, served in a bright dining room under a glass roof.
There’s also a bar designed as a relaxed, all-day hangout coffee in the morning, cocktails in the evening, and plenty of space to linger in between.
Villa Colette leans into what makes Cap Ferret special: proximity to nature, a laid-back rhythm, and just enough polish. Whether it’s early swims, oyster stops by the water, or boat trips toward the Dune du Pilat, the experience is less about programming and more about slowing down.
Villa Colette is set to become one of the more design-forward stays in Cap Ferret, without losing the area’s low-key charm.
