The Hotel

For nearly a century, the Hotel Mercedes has been cultivating the same art of hospitality: offering each guest the pleasure of staying in an authentic setting, where history continues to be written through the encounters that take place there.

The Origins of an Iconic Destination

The history of the Hôtel Mercedes began in the 1920s. A visionary, Mr. Tarrissan had the first hotel built on the seafront in Capbreton, on the site of the current arcades. He named it “Mercedes” in honor of his wife’s first name, which was of Spanish origin. Very quickly, the hotel became a favorite destination for travelers drawn to the beauty of the Landes coast.

World War II, however, changed its fate. Occupied by German troops, the hotel was destroyed during the war. After the war, Mr. Tarrissan received war damage compensation, but the town of Capbreton refused to grant permission to rebuild the hotel on its original site.

Determined to revive his hotel, he chose Hossegor. In 1953, he had the Mercedes as we know it today built and entrusted its management to his daughter and son-in-law, Jean-Claude Weber, the future mayor of Hossegor. A new chapter then began in the heart of this booming seaside resort.

A Hotel That Has Become a Legend

From the 1950s to the late 1980s, the Hôtel Mercedes established itself as one of the finest jewels of traditional hospitality on the Landes coast. Its elegance, the quality of its hospitality, and its prime location attracted a loyal and discerning clientele. Many vacationers booked the same room year after year, making the Mercedes a true summer destination.

The hotel also welcomed numerous celebrities who came to stay on the coast, including Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Guy Bedos, and Jean Poiret. Its restaurant also contributed to its reputation and helped create the warm, friendly atmosphere for which it was renowned. It was during this period that the Mercedes acquired its “legendary” status, which still lives on in the memories of many regulars.

In the late 1980s, a new owner sought to modernize the hotel. However, this venture was short-lived. The hotel was then taken over by Mr. Mas de Sancier, who undertook a complete renovation. Anticipating travelers’ changing expectations, he transformed the hotel by closing the restaurant and installing kitchenettes in the rooms an innovative move for the time. He ran the hotel throughout the 1990s until his tragic death.

A Story That Continues to Unfold

In 1999, the Hôtel Mercedes was purchased at auction by Mr. Bérot, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its history. A few years later, in 2011, the hotel was taken over by Olivier Roumat, a former international rugby player who went on to become a licensed surveyor and then a real estate developer and investor. A lifelong lover of Hossegor, he shares this adventure with his partner Valérie, who manages the day-to-day operations of the hotel.

Together, they set out to modernize the hotel while preserving what gives it its identity: its history, its architecture, and its warm atmosphere. As Olivier Roumat put it in the pages of *Sud Ouest*: “It’s like a big home where people feel at ease.”

Driven by this same ambition, they launched a major expansion project. In 2021, an extension featuring 17 rooms and apartments was inaugurated, bringing the hotel’s capacity to 54 guest rooms. The new blue-and-white façade echoes the architectural style of the Basque-Landes region, while the interiors with their light tones and natural materials carry on the spirit of the Mercedes: a 3-star hotel where heritage, comfort, and the Landes way of life come together, much to the delight of a clientele that remains as loyal as ever.