Le Windsor Grande Plage Biarritz

The hotel occupies a townhouse typical of the region, which is still owned by the same family that purchased it in 1948. Today, the inside been stripped back to a clean-lined look, with a few trendy design elements. The traditional building has a funky garden room-style entrance that serves as a small seating area for the shiny back-lit lobby bar, with mismatched sofas, barrel armchairs, and egg chairs. Combined with the minimalist surroundings, there’s echoes of an Ikea showroom, with additions like a turntable to keep both mature and millennial guests entertained. The simple dining area is light and airy, with pale wood floors. The vibe is quiet considering the popular location, though nearby nightclubs do mean some nighttime noise, and the hotel draws younger couples looking for a modern base by the sea. 

Le Windsor Grande Plage sits between two streets. To the front is a road with tourist-friendly shops, bars, and restaurants. To the rear, the only building that sits between the hotel and the sands of La Grande Plage is a single-story complex on the promenade, housing a couple of cafes and surf shops. It will take just three minutes to reach the shore on foot. The hotel is also within walking distance of all the city’s main attractions. The Casino Barriere is almost opposite. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Bellevue Conference Center, Jardin Public, trendy Les Halles food market, and Gare du Midi train station. The aquarium, Plage du Port Vieux, and La Cote des Basques are all around 15 minutes away on foot. Guests can reach Phare de Biarritz lighthouse in a 20-minute walk or a five-minute drive. Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is 10 minutes away by car.

Rooms are done in simple and contemporary white decor; clean-lined, and with just a piece or two of jet-black sculptural art on the walls. It's a sharp and sleek look, for sure, though it lacks the historic charm many come to Biarritz seeking. All have double or twin beds, dark wood floors, mirrored wardrobes, and small desks. Standard amenities are covered: air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and minibars. Bathrooms vary in terms of quality and amenities, with a walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Hairdryers are provided. Rooms are categorized by their size and view, starting with the tiny 130-square-foot (12-meter-square) Standard Courtyard Side Rooms. These rooms either don’t have a view or, at a sharp angle, a glimpse of the ocean. All other rooms add Nespresso machines. Avenue/City View Rooms overlook Avenue Edouard VII and range from 190 to 270 square feet (18 to 25 square meters). These rooms have sofa beds, that can sleep up to two extra guests, and more stylish bathrooms. Previous reviews note some noise from the nearby nightclub in these rooms. If budget permits, rooms facing the ocean are worth the upgrade. Sea View Superior Rooms are on the third to seventh floors and are individual in their layout and view -- the three corner rooms have the best vantages of the ocean, toward the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse. At the top end, Junior Suites have a cozy seating area that can be used to sleep two extra guests. They also feature a small walk-out balcony -- although as they only go as high as the fourth floor, higher floor corner Superior Rooms outshine them when it comes to views.

The facilities are basic, but provide all that’s required of a boutique hotel -- particularly one that’s so close to the beachfront and city center. The simple breakfast room is filled with light, but disappointingly looks out on the single-story complex on the promenade, so there’s no sea view. A continental buffet breakfast is included in the rates. There’s also the option of a simple express breakfast at the bar. Room service is available around the clock, but there’s no evening restaurant. The small bar in the modern lobby (where there’s a piano) is open 24/7. In high season, Le Bleu Cafe opens on La Grande Plage's promenade, serving homemade lunches and cocktails by the sea. The hotel does provide free beach towels and umbrellas for guests. For business travelers, there’s a rather soulless all-white meeting room. Wi-Fi is free throughout. For parking, there’s a drop-off space to unload, and secure underground parking two minutes away with special rates for hotel guests.