Biarritz, France
Originally an historic summer villa, the Hotel du Palais sits on the beach, close to town, offering a luxury spa, Michelin-recognized dining and period rooms for relaxing on the Côte Basque.
Our review
Set on the seafront with golden beach and famous since the 1930s, it was originally a summer palace for Empress Eugenie and built in 1855. Devastation by fire in 1903 provided a good juncture to add more floors and the semi-circular salon overlooking the sea. It went bankrupt and was eventually bought by the city.
The hotel is right on the sandy beach and has an old wrought iron gate that leads directly onto it. There is a large heated seawater pool, a children’s grassy playground, a large sundeck and an al fresco and indoor restaurant.
The entrance to the hotel is through manned gates and up to a portico. The reception area has a wonderful wooden central concierge desk and huge columns, antiques and rugs. The salon leads to the restaurant with semi-circular windows overlooking the sea. A small restaurant to the side holds a one-Michelin star.
Any hotel that has a heavy brass key with yellow tassels for its rooms, instead of a horrid plastic credit card-type thing, has half won me over already.
We had a fabulous suite on the first floor – room 32 – known as the Gary Cooper room. The small hallway leads to a wardrobe area with room for all our luggage.
The salon has two old-style sofas with high backs and floor to ceiling French doors overlooking the sandy beach. An archway (closed with silk curtains if you wish) leads to the bedroom area with huge bed and floor to ceiling windows and French doors that lead to a small terrace area. The large bathroom has the same floor to ceiling windows with natural light being the only source necessary during the day. It’s the best bathroom view I have ever seen. Other joys were a little towelling seat and quality hairdryer. The shower and bath both had grab rails. Unfortunately there was no hair conditioner. (I always travel with some but not all guests do.) It was just fantastic to sleep with the window open and hear the sound of the waves crashing. I also loved sitting on the little seat and looking out onto the beach after my shower.
Earlier on as a late lunch, we had enjoyed some really nice toasted sandwiches. They were expensive but I had no complaints about the quality.
We enjoyed an excellent evening cocktail, entertained by a pianist. The place was very buzzy and obviously the place to be.
Buffet breakfast is served in the main dining room. We had a table overlooking the beach. There is a huge choice of cold food from charcuterie and roast beef to varieties of fish and cheeses. There was a large choice of bread, yogurt and fruit. Hot options such as bacon, sausage, eggs and fried potatoes were also available.
The Leonor Greyl Hair salon here specializes in hair treatments. They analyse hair and suggest tonics and masks to improve the hair and also offer a head massage.
We loved our room; it is highly recommended but you might want to consider the more blokeish Earnest Hemingway corner suite with its own bar, nautical theme and porthole windows.
Biarritz itself is a few minutes away with beach walk, casino, good shops, Saturday produce market and numerous restaurants.
This hotel is an unbeatable place to stay. It’s no wonder repeat visitors top 70%. Highly recommended.
Rooms
Hôtel du Palais features approximately 140 rooms and suites housed within a former imperial residence. Interiors reflect Napoléon III elegance, with rich fabrics, period furnishings and contemporary comforts. Many rooms enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline or the hotel gardens, while suites offer generous living spaces and enhanced privacy.
Food and Drink
La Rotonde is the hotel’s signature restaurant, presenting refined French cuisine in a light‑filled dining room with panoramic ocean views. The menu combines classical techniques with contemporary influences and an emphasis on regional ingredients.
The elegant Napoleon III Bar serves cocktails, wines and light dishes in a historic setting, while seasonal terraces allow guests to enjoy breakfast, aperitifs and sunset drinks overlooking the sea.
Wellness
The Impérial Spa is a spacious wellbeing sanctuary featuring indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, hammam and relaxation areas. A full menu of treatments is offered using premium Guerlain products, alongside a modern fitness centre equipped with ocean‑view training spaces.
Facilities
- Oceanfront indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Full‑service luxury spa and wellness centre
- Fine dining restaurant and historic cocktail bar
- Fitness centre with sea views
- Beach and promenade access
- Meeting and event spaces
- Concierge and valet services
- Free Wi‑Fi
Location
Hôtel du Palais is set directly on the Grande Plage in Biarritz, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The casino, town centre, coastal promenade and shops are within walking distance, with golf courses and the Basque coastline easily accessible nearby.
Getting there
Address: 1 Avenue de l'Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France
Arriving by air: Biarritz – Anglet – Bayonne Airport– Located 2 miles (4 km) 10 minutes by car.
More information
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* Note: The hotel review was last updated in early 2026. Please let us know if you spot any factual errors.