Hôtel du Palais, Biarritz
Southwest · France
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Character and identity
Built in 1854 as Napoleon III's summer villa for Empress Eugénie and later rebuilt in the shape of an "E" in her honour, this fin de siècle grande dame sits directly on La Grande Plage, the only palace-classified hotel on France's Atlantic coast. The 142 rooms and suites face either Biarritz town or the ocean, with Second Empire furniture, restored trompe l'œil columns, frescoed ballroom and a 900-pound chandelier in Le Bar Napoléon III. Dining splits between chef Aurélien Largeau's eight-course seafood menus at curved, panoramic La Rotonde and homestyle Basque cooking at Côté Maison. The 32,000-square-foot Guerlain Imperial Spa anchors the wellness side.
Who's it for
Best for:
Couples and design-literate travellers drawn to imperial European grandeur done with a light touch, serious French-Basque cooking, and a proper spa programme. The heated saltwater pool cantilevered over the Atlantic, direct beach access, and surf instruction on La Grande Plage make it equally appealing to anyone who wants the ocean at the doorstep.
Should look elsewhere:
Travellers who find Second Empire opulence, chandeliers and frescoed ballrooms overdressed will be happier in something quieter and more contemporary. The hotel peaks in summer with events and beach service, so off-season visitors should expect a more subdued (though still ceremonious) atmosphere.
Bottom line
What you're paying for is genuine imperial heritage, restored by in-house artisans, set directly on Biarritz's main surf beach with a palace classification to match. Spend up for a fifth-floor Cruise Liner suite with porthole windows, or any ocean-facing category; town-view rooms miss the point. Time a stay for summer if you want the property at full tilt, including ice cream service on La Grande Plage.
Location
What this place offers
- 24-hour room service
- Babysitting services
- Bar
- Beach
- Fitness classes
- Gym
- House car
- Indoor pool
- Meeting rooms
- Outdoor pool
