Hotel du Palais

The Hotel du Palais is situated overlooking the Grand Plage beach and Bay of Biscay, on well-landscaped grounds with flowers, lawns, and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. The hotel takes advantage of its beachfront location, with many rooms and public spaces offering views of the ocean and sunset. In a region known for its posh offerings, pedigree is important, and the hotel doesn't disappoint. It's housed in a red-brick palace that was erected in 1855 for Napoleon III's wife, Empress Eugenie. King Edward VII, Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra and other notables have stayed here throughout the years. Guests enter to an elegant, high-ceilinged lobby done in Second Empire style. Gilt-wood upholstered chairs, chandeliers, marble floors, and fine rugs combine to create a look that is refined without being stuffy or overdone. The hotel attracts well-heeled couples to its finely appointed rooms, pool, spa, and Michelin-starred restaurant. Families with children benefit from the seasonal children's pool and playground and abundance of large rooms. 

Hotel du Palais is situated in central Biarritz, next the Orthodox Church and overlooking the Grand Plage beach and Bay of Biscay. The Chapelle Imperiale church is a three-minute walk and Place Bellevue square and Casino Barriere are a five-minute walk. Several restaurants, bars, shops, and art galleries are a short walk from the hotel as well. The area with the Gare du Midi train station, Jardin Public garden, and Asiatica Museum of Asian art is about a five-minute drive or 10-minute walk. The Phare de Biarritz lighthouse features a sweeping view of the bay and coast -- it's about a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk. The SNCF train station and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport are both about a 10-minute drive from the Hotel du Palais. 

Rooms at Hotel du Palais are done in Second Empire style and have a refined aesthetic, with high-quality silks and damasks, gilt-framed mirrors, fresh-cut flowers, and floral-print bedspreads. The white-and-tan color palette is livened up with colors like rose, red, burgundy, and aqua blue. Rooms start at 269 square feet (25 square meters) while suites offer at least 538 square feet (50 square meters) of floor space. All 153 rooms come with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite and premium channels and pay-per-view movies. Minibars are filled with high-end drinks and snacks. Most rooms do not have coffee/tea makers. Some include Bose music systems and suites feature sitting areas and/or sofa beds. Windows are quite large, so rooms get ample natural light, and windows also open too allow in fresh air. The best rooms feature ocean views. Bathrooms are large and clad in marble and/or granite, though the color scheme does look a bit dated in bathrooms, like the Biarritz Classic Room that we saw. All come with make-up mirrors, premium bath products, and bathrobes and slippers. Only higher-category rooms have separate tubs and showers. Rooms and public spaces at the hotel are entirely non-smoking. 

Features are fairly numerous here, but the highlight is the ocean-facing outdoor pool, open during the summer season. It's long enough for laps, and the large deck gets direct sun all day. The grounds also feature a seasonal children's pool, playground, and putting green. A 15-meter indoor pool is situated in a space with an atrium to let in ample natural light, and is bordered by a large hot tub. The excellent on-site Guerlain spa features a wide menu of treatments, and also includes a beauty salon, sauna, Turkish steam room, and solarium with ocean views. There's also a fitness center with a good range of cardio and weight equipment. Cardio boxing, Pilates, circuit training, aqua spinning and other pool activities are available, as well as stand-up paddle boarding and surfing, though fees apply for some activities. The hotel's superb restaurant has earned a prestigious Michelin star for its contemporary French cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and regional dishes. The second restaurant has a more relaxed feel and specializes in seafood and salads, alongside ocean views. Warm-weather outdoor dining is available, as is room service. A hot-and-cold breakfast buffet is well-liked, but expect it cost a pretty penny. The bar serves inventive cocktails and high-end liquors in an elegant space with live jazz. The hotel also has concierge service, meeting rooms, a business center, luxury gift items, and free parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel