Jardin des Remparts — Hotel in Pau

My husband and I stayed with Kevin and Etienne as a stopover, there and back, en route from Italy to Northern Spain. We asked to have dinner there for the sake of convenience; it was the best call we made on the whole trip. Orthez is a pretty, quaint but vital community. The house is like a beautiful film-set for a story from a past life. Every inch of it has been restored with exquisite taste and attention paid to sustainability. The result is absolute comfort, and charm itself. The garden and pool are a delight, the rooms are stunning. The cuisine, simple but imaginative dishes made from the freshest of locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables, is superb. I asked Etienne what the secret ingredient was, and he joked « love », but it’s also true. What really made our stay extra special was the company at mealtimes of our hosts, who are courteous, talented, attentive, warm-hearted, fun, and fluent in a variety of languages! Meeting other guests was a pleasure too. I know this review will sound as if it was written by Kevin’s mum, or a longtime friend. I’m neither; we truly just met them, but can’t...

Visiting from Australia, my husband and I had the pleasure of staying with Étienne and Kevin while we were house hunting in France a couple of months ago, and the experience was a major highlight of our trip. Their hospitality was outstanding, both are wonderful and insightful conversationalists, and Étienne's cooking is world class! Our days were tiring and the weather was freezing, but coming back to Jardin des Remparts in the evenings felt like a big cosy hug with friends. Kevin and Étienne were warm and gracious hosts, respectful of privacy, and generously shared their knowledge of local history, culture and cuisine. My husband and I also agree that our bed was so luxuriously comfortable that it quite possibly rates as the best sleep we've ever had. I look forward to staying there again if we're ever back in southwest France. Thank you for a memorable stay,...

A small wooden sign to the left of a non descript gate on a quiet street welcomes you into a wonderland! Banana trees, flowering plants, a sparkling pool, and views out over the rooftops. This is a hotel that feels more like a home. I was so impressed by the warm hearted humans that run this place. They are creative, inventive, and intuitive. They have lovingly restored this house and the DETAILS. The sheets, the colors … NO NOTES. Swam in a perfect temperature pool, padded barefoot through the garden, ran my fingers across aromatic bushes, slept like a baby, and awoke to breakfast downstairs with some other interesting guests. Good coffee, homemade yoghurt, and good conversation flowed. I didn’t want to leave. Will be back soon. Don’t hesitate...