Double-oh heaven

STAYING at the fictional French hotel in Ian Fleming's classic James Bond novel Casino Royale might seem like the stuff of imagination.

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But travelling to Hotel Barriere Le Westminster — the place the author based his “Hotel Splendide” - is as simple as a 35-minute LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais and an hour by car to Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.

The Westminster - where Fleming often holidayed and Sean Connery signed a contract to become Hollywood's first 007 — is the only five-star hotel on the Opal Coast. And splendid is the perfect word to describe this magnificent hotel and the seaside resort of Le Touquet.

The Westminster was built during the Roaring Twenties, attracting wealthy Parisians and Brits. It is the last remaining luxury hotel of seven that once thrived here before the bombs of the Second World War.

Another Bond, the great Roger Moore, also stayed at the hotel, which has a 007-themed suite to celebrate the connection.

Our room, while not designated for secret agents, was stunning in its own right. Art Deco in style, the Westminster underwent a refurbishment in 2020, but retained features including the wood-panelled reception and Le Bar du West, where Marlene Dietrich and Serge Gainsbourg once sipped cocktails.

And in a small parlour room remains a giant safe, where illustrious guests used to keep their cash.

For all the hotel’s grandeur, we were struck by the relaxed atmosphere, which extends from the spa and pool all the way to its restaurant, La Table du West.

Our two meals there were tremendous. Red tuna tartare, leaf by leaf of melon, fillet of duck and pistachio financier cake were just some of the dishes we enjoyed from a menu inspired by chef William Elliott, who also runs a separate Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Pavillon, on site.