Château d’Urtubie

Reveling in the fanciful experience of staying in a romantic château, we often forget that we are truly in someone’s home. Château d’Urtubie has from its origin belonged to the de Coral family. As Laurent, a 5th generation of the château, toured us through the magnificent rooms with their grand, historical furnishings, which (amazingly) are all original to the home; he brought the personal element into perspective. One of the elegant salons was where he and his cousins watched television—the TV room to them! Carved into one of the mantels reads an old Basque welcome, Biltzen, Berotzen, Bozten (reunite, warm and make people happy), still the sincere intent of your hosts. They have converted rooms for guests and open their home to public tours in order to share their heritage. The grand salon is available to guests and a cozy side room, often warmed by a wood fire, serves as the breakfast room. There are over 6 hectares of gardens, forest, a park with tennis courts, and a pool. Enter off the graveled courtyard and climb the old stairs that wind up in the turret. The bedchambers are priced according to their varying size. I adored Louis XVI, a spacious, regal front corner room decorated in a rich fabric of reds and creams. Although dinner is not offered, Ferme Lizarraga, offering excellent Basque cuisine, is 200m from the château.