Radisson Blu Hotel

Interiors at this upper-middle-range property are chainlike, as expected from the international brand of hotels, but though they feel boring and bland, they're clean and pleasant. Some pop art on the walls livens things up. Decor is contemporary in style, including pieces like cube-shaped chairs and sleek coffee tables in the lobby bar, with an overall color palette of brown and beige hues accented by greenery sprouting from pots here and there throughout the hotel. Most of the common spaces are bright thanks to lots of windows that illuminate them with natural light. The highlight is the rooftop bar that offers panoramic views over the city and opens onto a lovely outdoor terrace. The hotel's location and varied features attract both tourists and business travelers, plus families choose to stay here as well, drawn by the larger Family Rooms.

The hotel occupies a convenient location that's a five-minute walk to Côte des Basques Beach. There are lots of restaurants within a five-minute walk of the property, as well as shops and a supermarket. Many of the city's top attractions are within walking distance, including the Biarritz Aquarium (10-minute walk away), Rocher de la Vierge (12-minute walk), the Biarritz History Museum (six-minute walk), and the Planète Musée du Chocolat (seven-minute walk). Other tourist sites that require a short commute include the lighthouse, which is about a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride, and the Cité de l'Océan et du Surf museum, which can be reached in five minutes by car or around 10 minutes via bus. The train station is around a 10-minute drive or 20-minute bus ride. Biarritz Airport is about a 10-minute drive or 17 minutes via bus.

Rooms feature tastefully bland contemporary decor that pairs sleek wooden furnishings with varying accent colors that range from blues to warm reds to mint green shades. The colorful details include carpets, accent walls, pillows, armchairs, bed runners, and curtains. There are several different categories of rooms here, starting with entry-level Standard Rooms, to the more spacious Superior Rooms, to Business Class Rooms, which add extras like daily newspapers, Nespresso coffee machines, and free breakfast buffets. Junior Suites add even more perks, such as separate living rooms with sofa beds. Family Rooms sleep up to two adults and two kids. All rooms have work desks as well as flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combos, plus they come equipped with hairdryers and toiletries. 

Features here certainly add value to a stay, though some of them are seasonal. The hotel has two restaurants (one of which is open seasonally) that serve local Basque cuisine as well as international fare. There are two bars, including a seasonal rooftop bar that offers lovely views over the city and sea. Twenty-four hour room service is available. The buffet breakfast costs a fee, and guests can opt for a to-go meal.

The hotel has a lovely outdoor seasonal pool on the rooftop that's surrounded by a wooden sundeck lined with loungers. Other wellness features include a spa with five treatment rooms, a sauna, a hammam, and a menu of treatments that includes various massages and nail services. The fitness room could use some work, as it's small and equipped with just three cardio machines and some weights.

Business travelers are catered to with nine meeting rooms, a business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. On-site parking is available for a fee, and the hotel offers free Tesla car charging.