Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa sea & spa

The Sofitel brand runs the gamut from sleek and sophisticated to straightforward and utilitarian when it comes to style, and its Biarritz outpost is somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. This contemporary hotel sits right on the Bay of Biscay and housed in a modern white building that looks a bit like a cruise ship. The interiors are modern, but don't quite live up to its luxury claims, and instead have the relatively plain look of a business hotel. The lobby has a high-end "living room" feel, with colors of warm tans and browns, plus fresh flowers and colorful art and sculpture all around. Guests gather on the expansive stretch of beach, and around the indoor and seasonal outdoor swimming pools. In a nod to its oceanfront environs, the hotel features thalassotherapy (seawater) treatments in the spa. The Sofitel draws families to its beach, pools, and large rooms, while business types benefit from the meeting rooms and location not far from the Bellevue Congress Center. 

Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa sea & spa is on the Plage du Miramar beach overlooking the Bay of Biscay. The Orthodox Church of Biarritz is a three-minute walk and the Chapelle Imperiale is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Expect it to take about 10 minutes to reach Casino Barriere, Place Bellevue, and Bellevue Congress Center on foot. A majority of the city's restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries are in this area as well. The Gare du Midi train station, Jardin Public garden, and Asiatica Museum of Asian art is about a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the hotel. It's about a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk to the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse , which has a great view of the coast. The SNCF train station and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport are both within about 10 minutes by car from the Sofitel.  

Rooms and suites at the Sofitel have an upscale contemporary look, with plush cotton bedding, art on the walls, and good use of wood in the paneling and furniture. The beige, tan, and brown palette creates a warm effect, though in the end the wood paneling, patterned carpeting, and soft-hued wall art don't have the most personality. Entry-level rooms start at 269 square feet (25 square meters), while suites offer 431 square feet (40 square meters) of floor space, so all are spacious. All 126 rooms come with electric kettles or coffeemakers, minibars, free mineral water, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. They also feature furnished balconies or terraces, and some have views of the ocean. The beds are a real perk, and are made with fluffy white down duvets. However, the rooms could use a few more electric sockets for guests who travel with a lot of gadgets. Suites include living areas. Bathrooms are spacious and stylish, and all come with bathrobes, hairdryers, bidets, showers, and tubs. We especially love the Hermes bath products provided in all categories. All rooms and public spaces at the hotel are non-smoking. 

The Sofitel is situated on an expansive stretch of beach, with direct beach access. The hotel features an ocean-facing, fairly large outdoor saltwater swimming pool, heated and open in the warmer months. Poolside drinks, snacks, and lunch are served. There's also a heated, indoor saltwater pool, that has cross-current resistance. The pool area is not very big so it can get a bit crowded, and noisy when filled with kids. The spa offers a wide range of thalassotherapy (seawater-based) treatments. It also includes a beauty salon, sauna, hammam steam room, hot tub, and solarium. For an alternative way to unwind, the fitness center has a good range of cardio and weight equipment. The Sofitel's hot-and-cold breakfast buffet is ample and of high quality, but it's quite expensive. In the evening, the hotel's dinner restaurant has ocean views and serves fine Basque cuisine with French influences. Meals are served overlooking the ocean for lunch as well, and the menu includes lighter, simpler Basque fare. Warm-weather, ocean-facing outdoor dining is available, and the hotel also provides 24-hour room service. The hotel's stylish piano bar and lounge serves fine cocktails, wine, and beer. The Sofitel also has a Clefs d'Or concierge, limo service (for a fee), and meeting facilities. Valet parking is available on site, but it's expensive. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.