9 Place Ste Eugenie, Biarritz, France | (618) 248-8274
Centrally located right on charming Place Sainte Eugenie
By the sea and a five-minute walk from the beach
Boutique hotel with cozy, New England-inspired rooms
Top-end rooms have balconies with sea views
Classic brasserie with a terrace that extends out into the square
24-hour reception and room service
In summer, a free shuttle runs to Biarritz’s key sights
Half-board and full-board options available
Free Wi-Fi in most rooms
Facilities like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi differ between rooms
Finding a parking spot nearby can be difficult
Bathrooms are tiny; some only have a tub with handheld shower
Wi-Fi is poor
Hotel de l’Ocean is a well-located hotel with a modern France-meets-New-England style. Travelers are drawn to this boutique mid-range hotel for its excellent location in charming Place Sainte Eugenie, right by the seafront. The sweeping La Grande Plage is a five-minute walk in one direction, with the tiny cove of Plage du Port Vieux in the other. The stand-out feature at this three-pearl hotel is the smart brasserie, which has a terrace that spills out onto the square -- an ideal spot for seafood dinners and wine soirees. The 26 cozy, beach-themed rooms are all individually designed to create a homey feel, although there are inconsistencies with facilities -- like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi -- between rooms. Travelers looking for more classic period charm may want to consider Hotel Saint-Julien instead.
Scene
A homey hotel with beach-chic style, enhanced by its atmospheric location
The Hotel de l’Ocean’s owners were searching for a spot for an interior design shop when they saw potential in this traditional building on the seafront. Over time, they've carefully renovated the interiors to create a quaint and charming little boutique hotel. The overall vibe is relaxed, although the lobby, with its comfy leather sofas, hurricane lamps, and eclectic artwork, has a homey French feel that’s quite different from the nautically-inspired rooms. Outside, the charming Place Sainte Eugenie adds to the hotel’s appeal -- picturesque and relaxed in low season, and vibrantly characterful with the high season crowds. The hotel draws plenty of couples and a few families, most looking to avoid larger chain hotels and take advantage of the lovely location.
Location
A top spot by the seafront in pretty, pedestrianized Place Sainte Eugenie
Location is key at the Hotel de l’Ocean. It fronts the pedestrianized Place Sainte Eugenie -- a charming little square above the old harbor that’s made up of restaurants, bars, and a neo-Gothic church. The square sits between the vast sweep of La Grande Plage and the tiny, sheltered cove of Plage du Port Vieux, close to the Casino Barriere and Bellevue Congress Center. These are all within a 10-minute walk, as are the Gare du Midi train station, Jardin Public, and city center. The Phare de Biarritz lighthouse can be reached in 10 minutes by car. Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is a 15-minute drive or bus journey away.
Rooms
Cute and cozy rooms take inspiration from West Coast beach homes
Simple, snug rooms are housed on two floors and have a French West Coast design -- think New England-style vibes, with lime-washed wood, Lexington linens, and coastal-inspired details. Reds, blues, and stripes feature heavily in the decor, as do nautical cushions and underwater-themed prints. Rooms are individually designed; they were slowly renovated one-by-one and reflect the owner’s inspiration at the time. Standard features include a TV, mini-fridge, and free W-Fi (except in Annexe Rooms), but rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Air-conditioning -- which isn’t available in all rooms -- works on a centralized basis. Bathrooms also vary from room-to-room, but most are tiny, black-tiled rooms with a walk-in shower. Rooms start at a French-tiny 140 square feet (13 square meters) and there are eight different categories. Entry-level rooms face the church and thus receive limited natural light. Courtyard Rooms have an outdoor area with tables and chairs where guests can have breakfast. Family Courtyard Rooms have two separate rooms separated by a sliding door. At the top end, Seaview Rooms are worth the upgrade for the beach-chic decor, extra space, and balcony with views out over the square to the sea. These rooms also have a shower/tub combo, but disappointingly, the shower isn’t fixed to the wall and needs to be hand-held.
Features
A popular brasserie with a terrace on Place Sainte Eugenie
The hotel’s stand-out feature is its brasserie, Le Cafe de la Mer. It has a smart indoor seating area with a bar, and a lovely terrace out on the Place Sainte Eugenie. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at a fee. Breakfast is a choice of ‘express’ or continental buffets, though neither impress previous guests too much. Half board and full board options are available. Lunch and dinner menus feature hearty Basque specialties that include fresh seafood and produce from local markets, accompanied by local wine. There aren’t many other facilities. In the lobby, a computer offers more reliable internet than the free Wi-Fi. Reception and room service both operate 24 hours, and there’s a small elevator with space for two adults. In summer months, a free shuttle bus runs to Biarritz’s key sights. For parking, there’s a choice of discounted parking at the Vinci Public underground parking lot below the Place Sainte Eugenie, street parking (at a fee), or a free parking lot a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Despite these options, guests still comment on problems with finding a convenient spot in high season.