Thinking about booking a surf holiday in Hossegor? Then wait just a damn minute. Here are some things to consider before pulling the trigger on your next French surf adventure. Not only will they make your next stay more pleasurable, they’ll also save you some cash.
We like to think we run a pretty successful surf house. We get return guests that invariably become lifelong mates, everyone drools over breakfast and dinner and the overall vibe is one that’s fun, inclusive and geared towards making your stay (pardon the cliché) bloody unforgettable. For these reasons, we know exactly what to look for when WE go on a surf holiday. So if you’re thinking about booking a surf holiday in Hossegor, here’s what to look for.
Proximity to the beach
Too far away and you might as well stay at home. Too close and you’ll have to deal with more traffic, more people and more chaos when its busy. The sweet spot is a place within walking distance but with some form of transport such as a bike. This way you can enjoy the serenity of being located in a residential area a few blocks back from the often hectic beachside boulevard but still close enough that you can undertake multiple surf checks every day without feeling like you need to prepare for a foot-blistering trek.
Good quality equipment
There’s nothing worse than reading that a surf hostel already has boards and wetsuits for you to use, only for you to rock up and find that their gear is indeed ready to use… if you were living in the 70s. Of course equipment doesn’t have to be brand new, but it should at least do what it’s meant to do. Wetsuits that keep you warm and surfboards that don’t look like a pock-marked slab of swiss cheese are a start.
Positive reviews
If you want to book a surf holiday in Hossegor but don’t really know what to expect from the local accommodation, trip advisor or testimonial pages on surf house websites are a good source of information. Look for positive reviews. The gushier and more over the top they are the better, because that means the reviewer is really trying their best to convey the energy of their experience. For example: if you see something like the blurb below (found on our own website) then chances are you’re onto a good spot.
“I came from the US during a summer-long surf trip in Nica/Costa Rica/France, and of the 30+ BNB's / surf hostels I stayed at, this was by far the best one”
Great vibe
Vibe is a hard one to quantify. You can’t buy vibe and you certainly can’t force it. It’s organic, a product of people, environment and time. We like a vibe that ebbs and flow like a tide throughout the day, starting slow and relaxing in the morning before ramping up when it comes time to surf.
After that there’s time to read a book in the sun or nap in a hammock, before more surfing, a few sneaky drinks at sunset and then a dinner where you eat too much, but not so much that you can’t hit the d-floor when the stars come out. In short, the vibe you want is one that’s natural and one that allows you to insert yourself into the fun or chill out whenever you want. Some might say this perfectly sums up Southwest Surf House, but hey… we’re a bit biased.
