Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune couldn’t be a better home away from home when visiting Saint-Cyprien in the extreme South of France. Located near the French border with Spain in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the resort is on the shores of the Mediterranean and in the heart of Roussillon. It feels like a luxe escape while still having access to beaches, wineries, and the natural attractions all nearby in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune, nestled on a private island between the lagoon and sea, is family-run and part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux. With exceptional accommodations, Michelin star cuisine and well being, Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune exemplifies the art of Mediterranean living.
The lobby and bar of Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune is a space that invites guests to linger and relax. A sunken living space with a fireplace is perfect for enjoying a cup a tea and book. Games like chess are available in the large, open living room where guests can enjoy a drink from the bar and socialize. There’s a white baby grand piano, signed by former guest Lenny Kravitz. And a wall of autographed portraits proudly showcases former celebrity guests of the hotel, even including American movie stars like Will Smith.
A large garden has many spaces for guests to relax in cabanas, poolside, or even on the small private beach.
The Rooms and Villas
Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune offers several types of accommodations ranging from rooms and suites located in the historic hotel building to independent villas and pavilions surrounding the main hotel building.
The rooms and suites located in the main hotel building all face the lagoon and garden with balconies or terraces overlooking the peaceful lagoon and Pyrenees in the distance. The decor evokes the atmosphere of the US East Coast like Cape Cod with pastel colors, natural materials, and touches that make guests feel like they’re on an elegant ship floating at sea.
We stayed in a deluxe room with a balcony overlooking the lagoon. Deluxe rooms have a king size bed, separate living area to relax, and a separate bathroom and toilet. Deluxe rooms are equipped with a mini bar, Nespresso machine and pods, tea kettle and selection of tea, a variety of books in French, English and Spanish for guests to read during their stay, and both an iconic hair dryer and hair straightener. Bath products from the luxury Galimard brand are stocked in the bathroom.
Guests are provided with robes, slippers, a tote bag, and refillable water bottles for use during their stay. Both still and gas water are available in the L’Aquarama restaurant to refill the water bottles.
Garden suites are available and serve as a 2-bedroom apartment on the ground level of the main hotel complex. Garden suites have a terrace with private outdoor jacuzzi in a serene setting.
Independent villas surrounding the main hotel are perfect for a longer stay in Saint Cyprien and can accommodate families sleeping up to 8 guests. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen or kitchenette, a living room opening onto the lagoon or on a garden, and bedrooms with a balcony or terrace.
The pavilions line the lagoon and can accommodate 2-4 guests. Each has its’ own private garden terrace perfect for relaxing in your own serene space.
Of course, guests staying in the villas still have access to all amenities of the hotel such as the spa.
While Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune is pet-friendly and Coco was welcomed throughout the property with the exception of the Spa Marin, note that no pet amenities such as beds, bowls or treats are provided.
Spa Marin
The Spa Marin is located on Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune’s top floor overlooking the Mediterranean and the Albères mountains. Guests have access to a year round heated pool with massage jet circuit, hammam, sauna, sensory shower, ice fountain, and relaxation areas.
The spa offers a variety of marine treatments, signature massages, seaweed wraps, hydrotherapy sessions and sensory experiences to revitalize and restore the body.
My spa treatment started with nourishing wrap and hydro wave massage, before a blissful 25 minute massage with essential oils. My treatment therapists took extra care with my ankle, as I’d mentioned I recently had an ankle reconstruction surgery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the massage circuits in the heated spa pool and relaxing on the loungers with a cup of tea following my treatments.
It was truly a perfect start to the day before exploring some of what Saint-Cyprien and the Roussillon have to offer.
Dining at Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune
Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune is home to two restaurants: the casual Italian restaurant L’Aquarama and Saint-Cyprien’s only Michelin star restaurant, the 1 star Michelin L’Almandin.
L’Almandin
L’Almandin and the Catalan inspired cuisine of chef Frédéric Bacquié draw diners from near and far. And sous chef Alexy Algar-Denos, who has recently left L’Almandin to pursue opening his own restaurant, competed and came in second place on the 2026 season of Top Chef.
The 1 star Michelin fine dining restaurant is an oasis on the ground floor of Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune, and in the summertime, in the garden overlooking the private beach and lagoon. Open for over 30 years, L’Almandin is one of the most famous tables of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Chef Frédéric Bacquié has a long passion for food going back to his childhood in his grandmother’s kitchen. He takes inspiration from the terroir, and particularly is known for his seafood creations. He favors seasonality, freshness and quality local producers for his menus.
We tried the Retour du Marché menu, which includes an amuse bouche, starter, your choice of either meat or fish as the main course, and dessert.
After a day in the sun at the Saint-Cyprien beach, followed by wine tasting, one glass of wine with dinner was more than enough. The sommelier helped me to select a Cháteau de Rey Côtes du Roussillon that would pair with both the starter and main dishes.
The cornbread and butter was some of the best I’ve ever had. A starter of seasonal violet artichoke with hazelnut and ginger was a delicious start.
We tried both the main dishes: the striped red bass with peas and bouillabaise and the filet of beef. The filet of beef was meant to be served with anchovies, and I noted to the wait staff that I’m not the biggest fan of anchovy. To my delight, the filet of beef was served with white carrots instead of the anchovies and pine nuts.
Apples with vanilla was a light and perfectly sweet finish to the meal.
L’Aquaramara
L’Aquarama is Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune’s casual Italian bistro. The restaurant serves a menu of Italian classics like lasagna and osso busco, along with fresh made pastas like L’Aquarama’s signature carbonara. There are a choice of starters, and the portions are generous enough for sharing.
The menu does change seasonally with some of my favorites like spaghetti alla vongole available in the summer, and a black truffle linguine available in the winter.
Pet-Friendly
Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune is pet-friendly. Both dogs and cats are accepted for a pet fee of 20€ per day.
Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel, with the exception of the Spa Marin. Coco enjoyed relaxing on the private beach and in the garden, and joined us for dinner at L’Aquarama.
Though Coco was invited to join us at 1 star Michelin L’Almandin for dinner as well, she was happy to relax in the room after a day of exploring Saint-Cyprien and the Roussillon.
Note that Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune does have several resident cats, and they are happy to curl up in L’Aquarama in particular. Be aware if your dog is cat reactive.
What to Do Near Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune
Explore the Beaches of Saint-Cyprien
Guests of Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune can rent the beach cruiser (electric bicycles) from reception and explore the 6 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline.
Wine Tasting in the Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon wine region is the single biggest wine producing region in the world, spanning all the way from the French border with Spain and Mediterranean coast to Provence. It’s also where the first vineyards in France were introduced by the Romans. You’ll find it all here: spicy reds, different styles of whites, rosé, dessert, and even sparkling wines.
I visited Jonquères d’Oriola Vignobles to discover Languedoc-Roussillon wines. Surely the oldest winery I have had the pleasure to visit and one of the oldest wineries in the world, it dates back to 1485 and is now run by the 27th generation of the family.
The tour peeks into the winery, has a photo stop at the castle where the family still resides, and finishes with a tasting of the wide range of wines produced by Jonquères d’Oriola Vignobles. I tasted whites, rosé, reds and dessert wines from three different grape growing areas and terroirs.
Note that the tasting room is dog-friendly, but the winery itself is not.
Visit Les Orgues d’Ille sur Têt
This is not Cappadocia. This is not Bryce Canyon. It’s Les Orgues d’Ille sur Têt, just 30 minutes from Perpignan in the Pyrénées Orientales.
These unique fairy chimneys and organs formed from over 4 million years of erosion acting like an artist to chisel and sculpt the sand and clay.
Les Orgues d’Ille sur Têt are fragile, and the site is a protected site since 1981. But it is dog-friendly and dogs on a leash are welcome to explore the paths along with you.
It’s a 1 kilometer walk from the ticket office and parking to the site, then there is a loop around the fairy chimneys and organs. There is also a free to access panoramic viewpoint just above the entrance to Les Orgues d’Ille sur Têt.
Getting to Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune
Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune is best visited by car in order to explore all the area has to offer.
You can reach Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune by train to Perpignan, which is 30 kilometers from Saint-Cyprien. There is car rental options available onsite at Perignan station.
Guests are also able to arrive to Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune by their private boat and moor at the hotel’s private dock.
We were guests of Hôtel L’Île de la Lagune and L’Almandin in order to bring you this story. However, Luxe Adventure Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely our own. This article contains affiliate links. When you book through our Expedia or Rue des Vignerons affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
