Published on 3 November 2025

Les Frères Ibarboure have trusted Console SecretBox for 10 years: their testimonial for the 15 years of Console SecretBox

Basque Excellence, Between Gastronomy and the Art of Hospitality

Nestled between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Les Frères Ibarboure embody the family tradition of the Basque Country, led by Xabi and Patrice. Their 4-star hotel, their one-Michelin-star restaurant and their park offer a refined setting for epicureans. The experience is completed by a heated pool, a wellness cabin, and a table that showcases local produce with creativity and commitment.

Independence and Digitalisation, the Keys to Success

At the dawn of gift box digitalisation, choosing SecretBox was obvious: "you have to be the boss at home and not depend on a Box with commission." This strategic turn marked the desire for independence, away from big platforms such as Booking or Expedia, preserving the direct relationship with customers and optimising every detail of the service offered.

"At the same time, we had natural demand from our customers to create gift boxes: until then we managed them the "old-fashioned way" with a binder, paper and pencil and the cheque tucked in a folder. So the desire to digitalise the process was born."

A Technical Solution in Constant Evolution

SecretBox wins people over with the fluidity of its back office, its ergonomics and the constant evolution of its tools, shaped by the needs of the hotel and gastronomy field. The API & YOU agency anticipates the sector's expectations, develops with agility, and commits to technical responsiveness well above the market average, for every contact and every question, even late in the evening.

"Our loyalty to the SecretBox console is explained by its fluidity and the ease of managing it for us, on the back-office side. It is very ergonomic and keeps evolving."
— Les Frères Ibarboure team

Serving Customer Relations and Cash Flow

The testimonial highlights a "double customer" effect: "you have to please both the one who receives and the one who gives." The independence provided by SecretBox guarantees a consistent level of service, all the more so as gift box sales now represent 20% of revenue. It is also a source of winter cash flow that smooths seasonality: "all this additional revenue is a real plus for cash flow."

"I always tell my teams: "welcome gift box customers as double customers". Successfully welcoming a gift box has a double effect: pleasing the one who came, but also the one who gave it."

A Human and Technical Collaboration

API & YOU stands out for its human values: "our contacts change a little, but the team grows and remains available and committed." The open relationship, responsiveness and personalisation of technical answers are cited as differentiators. This support is the strength of the partnership; every technical question finds a relevant solution.

Signature Gift Boxes and the Art of Managing Traffic Peaks

The SecretBox platform absorbs volumes perfectly during calendar celebrations, without slowing down. "Supreme relaxation", "discovery" or "exquisite" gift boxes: everything is designed to offer a smooth experience, both for the customer and in the back office, and to showcase the diversity of Basque offers all year round.

"Console SecretBox helps close sales, because the customer journey is very pleasant. When I compare with other tools, I see that this is where things are decided."