Article and photos by Dylan Clements
The first time I ever heard of Biarritz wasn’t while planning a chic French getaway. It was back in the day when I worked on the travel desk at NBC News. My team was responsible for getting the entire news operation, including crew, presenters and satellite trucks, to a town in southwest France I had never even heard of: Biarritz.
This was where the G7 Summit 2019 was being held. I remember staring at photos of the coastline between frantic calls and flight manifests. It wasn’t the glossy Côte d’Azur I was used to seeing on postcards. It looked more rugged, more authentically French, perched on the Atlantic with dramatic waves rolling in.
And then there was the hotel. The Hôtel du Palais Biarritz, where the world leaders were staying. Majestic. Grand. Historic. It had that rare kind of presence that stays in your mind long after you see it.
Fast forward a few years and I finally had the chance to stay here myself. It was everything I had imagined and more, and it is now firmly in my top ten favorite hotels in Europe.
How to Book This Hotel
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a portfolio of unique, independent hotels that retain their own character and history while being part of Hyatt’s global network. Think of it as Hyatt’s way of showcasing exceptional one-of-a-kind properties with the comfort and benefits of a major luxury brand behind them.
The best way to book this hotel is through a Hyatt Prive travel advisor such as Clements Travel. This will often save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Booking through Hyatt Prive is the same price you will find on the hotel’s website, but with significantly more value included.
When you book through Hyatt Prive, you receive:
- $100 USD Property Credit
Applicable per stay, per bedroom. - Room Upgrade
One category upgrade based on forecasted availability. - Daily Breakfast for Two
Full breakfast at the hotel restaurant. - Welcome Amenity
Chosen by the hotel or personalized based on your preferences. - Personal Welcome Letter
Acknowledging your travel advisor and their agency. - Early Check-In
From 9:00 am, subject to availability.
You still earn full World of Hyatt points and elite night credits when booking through Clements Travel, so there is no downside compared to booking direct, only added benefits and a better overall experience.
Book with a Hyatt Privé agent, such a Clements Travel, to enjoy daily breakfast, resort credit, upgrades on arrival when available, and VIP recognition at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Hotel du Palais Rates
One of the things I love most about Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is the value. This is not a hyper-touristic hotspot like Saint-Tropez or Cannes, which means you are not paying inflated Côte d’Azur prices. For the quality of product and service you are getting, the rates are genuinely excellent.
If this hotel were located on the Riviera, it would easily be four times the price. Here, it is not unheard of to find rooms in peak summer for under €600 per night. Suites generally start around the €1,000 mark, which is exceptional for a five-star hotel of this caliber.
This is a place where the experience matches the price, and in the world of European luxury hotels, that is increasingly rare.
Biarritz town center surrounds Hôtel du Palais, just steps from cafés, boutiques, and the beach, making it one of the most walkable luxury hotel locations in France.
Location and Getting There
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is set right on Grande Plage in the heart of Biarritz. One of the best things about staying here is how walkable everything is. You really don’t need a car or even rely on taxis. You can stroll to cafés, bakeries, small boutiques, and the local market within minutes. The beach is literally at the foot of the hotel, and there’s a beautiful coastal promenade that stretches in both directions.
The town has its own airport, Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ). Lufthansa offers seasonal flights here, allowing travelers from the United States to book convenient codeshare connections through Germany with United Airlines. KLM also flies seasonally to Biarritz, with codeshare options available through Delta Air Lines via Amsterdam.
The airport is just 10 minutes from town by taxi, making it an easy and efficient arrival point. If you’re flying in from within Europe, there’s a wide range of seasonal and year-round flights from major cities, so access is simple and convenient.
Another excellent option is San Sebastián Airport (EAS) in Spain, about 40 minutes away by car. There are no border formalities when driving between Spain and France, so transfers are smooth and straightforward. This airport is served by British Airways and can be booked as a codeshare with American Airlines, making it an easy connection from many U.S. cities.
Biarritz is also well connected by train. TGV high-speed trains run directly from Paris to Gare de Biarritz in roughly 4.5 hours, and regional services link the town to other destinations across France and northern Spain. The train station is only about 10 minutes from the center of town by taxi.
What many of our clients choose to do is fly into Paris, where there are far more direct international flight options, spend a few days enjoying the city, and then take the TGV down to Biarritz. It’s a comfortable and scenic journey, and it turns the transfer into part of the holiday rather than just a travel day.
Currently, there are no direct flights from the United States to Biarritz or San Sebastián. A short stop at Heathrow or another major European hub is often the best route and well worth it once you arrive at the hotel.
Originally built in 1855 as a summer residence for Empress Eugénie, Hôtel du Palais became one of Europe’s most glamorous seaside hotels. This 1893 photograph shows the palace overlooking Grande Plage during the Belle Époque.
Hotel History
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz has one of the most interesting histories of any hotel in France. It was originally built in 1855 as a summer villa for Eugénie de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III. The couple loved Biarritz for its mild climate and natural beauty, and their visits helped turn the town into one of Europe’s most fashionable seaside destinations.
The villa was later converted into a hotel and quickly became a gathering place for European high society. Royals, politicians and celebrities from around the world have stayed here over the decades. The building itself is protected, which is why the original architectural features have been so carefully preserved.
Today, the hotel is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. It still carries that sense of old-world elegance while offering the comfort and service expected from a top-tier luxury property. The mix of imperial history and coastal setting is what gives Hôtel du Palais its unique character.
Welcome amenity of chilled champagne and seasonal fruit — a thoughtful touch on arrival at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
First Impressions and Design
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is big, grand, and unapologetically French. It has that old-world glamour you simply can’t manufacture. Built in 1855 as a summer villa for Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, the property was later transformed into a palace hotel. Over the decades, it has hosted royals, world leaders, and Hollywood icons. Despite its storied past, the hotel carries its history with quiet confidence rather than flash.
I always remember a close older friend in London telling me about her trips to France in the 1960s. She would describe grand palace hotels with sweeping staircases, high ceilings, and elegant dining rooms. Walking into the Hôtel du Palais felt exactly like stepping into one of those stories.
The hotel layout is classic and practical. The main building houses the rooms and suites, while the elegant restaurant and bar offer views over the Atlantic. The pool area is perfectly positioned, with sea views and direct access to the sand below. From the gardens, you can step straight onto the public beach, going from palace to ocean in seconds. Everything about it reflects a timeless kind of French elegance that has never gone out of style.
The grand lobby of Hôtel du Palais Biarritz blends imperial elegance with timeless French style, welcoming guests with chandeliers, marble floors, and warm natural light.
Check-In Experience
We drove in and used the hotel’s valet parking, which was quick and easy (about €45 a day). They took care of everything the second we pulled up, so there was no fuss.
Our rooms were ready when we arrived, and both mine and my mum’s were upgraded from a standard king room to a Palais Suite, which was a really lovely surprise. And here’s the thing. In the south of France, most hotels are full all summer, so they don’t have to put much effort into making guests feel special.
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is the opposite. Because it’s not overrun with tourists, they actually work to make guests happy. Check-in was smooth, fast and genuinely warm. Everyone was smiling, everyone was pleased, and starting the stay with an upgrade definitely set the mood.
Our upgraded suite at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz — made possible thanks to Hyatt Privé benefits including priority upgrades, daily breakfast, and exclusive amenities.
Rooms and Suites
We were upgraded to a Palais Suite, which was excellent. These go up to around 60 square meters (about 645 square feet), so there’s plenty of space to spread out. This category faces the front of the hotel. The view is pretty, but like most people, I would have preferred a sea view. That’s something worth keeping in mind when you’re choosing a room type.
Palais Suite living room with elegant furnishings, chandelier lighting, and classic French palace style at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Palais Suite dining area with classic French furniture and elegant detailing at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Elegant hallway at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz with beautiful wallpaper and plush carpet, leading to the rooms and suites.
Palais Suite living and dining area showcasing elegant French décor, chandelier lighting, and traditional furnishings at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
The suite had a separate bedroom and living area, and both rooms had chandeliers, which gave it a nice classic feel. The design is exactly what you’d expect from a historic French palace hotel: elegant wallpaper, traditional furniture, and that old-world atmosphere that makes the property stand out. The rooms also had that thick, plush carpet you properly sink into when you walk, which added to the sense of comfort and quiet. All the rooms run off a central hallway lined with the most beautiful wallpaper, which makes even the corridors feel special. The linens were excellent and on par with what I’ve experienced at Park Hyatt.
Palais Suite bathroom featuring a soaking tub, double sink vanity, and elegant detailing at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
The bathroom had a soaking tub and a separate shower. It could have used a bit more marble to match the standard of the rest of the suite. Some of the bathrooms I saw elsewhere in the hotel had screen-printed photos worked into the wallpaper. These didn’t really blend with the classical artwork and elegant detailing found throughout the rest of the property, which made them feel slightly out of place.
One of the nice parts about booking through Hyatt Privé was being able to upgrade my mother to a suite as well. It made the trip feel a bit more special for her.
A note on room selection: some rooms have standard windows, while others feature small porthole-style windows, which may not be to everyone’s taste. This is exactly where it helps to book with someone who knows the room categories well and can guide you toward the layouts that suit your preferences best.
At this hotel, the room you get really does shape your stay. A bit of guidance makes a difference.
Napoléon III Bar at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz — an elegant, wood-paneled space with chandeliers, classic cocktails, and a refined atmosphere.
Dining and Drinks
We took advantage of our complimentary Hyatt Privé breakfast each morning in the hotel’s main restaurant, La Rotonde. The dining room is one of the standout features of Hôtel du Palais Biarritz. It’s a large, elegant space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic, with uninterrupted sea views that stretch for miles.
La Rotonde restaurant at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz offers elegant dining with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Breakfast buffet at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz — complimentary daily for guests booking with Hyatt Privé
Breakfast here is a combination of a small buffet and à la carte. The buffet includes French breads and pastries, yogurts, cold cuts, juices and even wine. Eggs can be ordered off the menu in any style you can imagine. It’s a proper, classic French breakfast experience served in a setting that feels very special.
In the evening, La Rotonde transforms into La Rotonde – Gastronomique. We didn’t have the chance to eat dinner here during this stay, and it’s something I genuinely regret. The restaurant holds one Michelin star and serves traditional French cuisine, and everything about the space suggests it would have been an excellent meal.
There’s also a brasserie and a bar on site, but La Rotonde is the signature dining venue and one of the most memorable spaces in the entire hotel.
Le Bar Napoléon III
The hotel’s main bar, Le Bar Napoléon III, is located just off the lobby. It has a classic French look with dark wood, soft lighting, and a polished, elegant feel. The seating is well spaced, which gives it a calm, comfortable atmosphere even when it’s busy. It stays open late, and the cocktail list is excellent, with a mix of French classics and signature drinks.
One evening around 10pm, still a little jet-lagged, I decided to head down for a quiet drink. I called my mum’s room to see if she wanted to join, but she passed. When I arrived, the bar wasn’t busy. I started talking to another guest who was also a travel advisor. He mentioned he was there with a client and invited me to join their table. A few minutes later, his client walked in, and to my complete surprise, it was Jon Bon Jovi. I ended up talking with him over a drink while my dog, who he and his wife loved, sat happily between them for the evening.
The next morning, I told my mum what happened and that she really should have joined me that night. I still tease her about it to this day.
Le Bar Napoléon III is elegant but relaxed. It’s never too crowded, has proper late-night service, and is exactly the kind of place where great travel stories seem to happen.
Main pool at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz with cabanas and Atlantic Ocean views.
Pool and Beach Scene
There are actually two pools at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz, but I’ll focus on the outdoor pool here and cover the indoor pool later when I talk about the spa.
The outdoor saltwater pool has that classic old-school French Riviera feel. The deck is elevated, and the views are incredible, overlooking the Atlantic and the public beach below. It’s clean, simple, and elegant.
There are plenty of cabanas available to rent, and we never had any trouble finding loungers during the day. The whole area has a relaxed, easy rhythm to it, almost like a low-key Saint-Tropez without the crowds. There’s full poolside dining service, not just snacks or light bites, and a seated area with tables and chairs for those who prefer a proper meal.
Playa de Biarritz with Hôtel du Palais in the background.
While there isn’t a private beach within the hotel grounds, there’s a small side gate that leads directly down to the public beach, Playa de Biarritz. It’s a wide, sandy stretch with a beautiful curve of coastline, waves rolling in and a relaxed local feel. Surfers, families and couples all share the beach, and it never felt overcrowded. It’s an easy walk down from the pool, which makes it very convenient if you want a swim in the ocean or a stroll along the sand.
Main pool in the spa at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Spa and Fitness
To understand why the spa and wellness area at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz looks the way it does, it helps to know a bit of history. In the past, this part of France was a classic winter escape. The weather here, and in the south of France in general, was mild and pleasant, so people would come down to the coast to avoid the cold further north. Biarritz was very much a winter playground.
Today, the seasonality has shifted and it’s now more of a summer destination, but the hotel’s facilities still reflect its original purpose. The Spa Impérial, located on the lower level, spans 2,500 square meters (about 26,900 square feet) and has a calm, private feel.
The indoor pool is the centerpiece of this space. It’s beautifully maintained, with loungers along the sides, soft lighting, and a very peaceful atmosphere that feels more like a private club than a hotel spa. The spa also includes a solarium, jetted tub, hammam, and sauna, giving guests plenty of options to relax and unwind.
Relaxation and spa area at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Drinks with Atlantic Ocean views from the spa lounge at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz.
Outdoor spa pool at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz with sweeping sea views.
One of the most charming touches is the club-style lounge, which has a distinct nautical theme with soft blues, whites, brass details, and subtle marine accents. It serves a variety of drinks, including wine and cocktails, which adds to the feeling of being in an elegant private members club rather than a hotel spa.
The fitness center is on the smaller side but has everything you need for a solid workout, including modern cardio and strength equipment. It’s clean, functional, and easy to access.
This entire area is thoughtfully designed and offers a quiet retreat away from the busier parts of the hotel. It’s easy to imagine how, in the hotel’s early years, this was the heart of the winter social scene
Family and Kids
Even though Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is a grand historic property, it works surprisingly well for families. This past summer, I booked a U.S. family here with two kids aged 10 and 12, and they absolutely loved it.
They’re quite an active family, so they spent their time doing surf lessons, hiking, and exploring the town. One of the nice things about Biarritz is how easy it is to access outdoor activities directly from the hotel. The beach is just a short walk away, so families can go straight from breakfast to surfing or paddleboarding. There are also excellent hiking trails nearby, plus easy day trips to places like Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
The hotel itself is very family friendly. The outdoor pool works well for children of all ages, and surfing lessons can be arranged with local instructors right on the beach. The atmosphere is more relaxed than in busier, more crowded destinations in the south of France, which helps families feel at ease.
The children in this particular family were learning French back at school in North Carolina, so the chance to be immersed in the language and culture was a real bonus for them. The family also appreciated that the vibe here isn’t overly formal, so they could let their kids be kids without feeling out of place. It’s a good balance, plenty to do for children, and space for parents to actually relax.
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz
The best time to visit Biarritz is late spring to early summer and early autumn. May, June, and September offer warm, pleasant weather without the heavy crowds or inflated peak-season rates. Days are sunny and mild, the sea is warm enough for swimming and surfing, and the town feels relaxed but active. This is also when room rates at properties like Hôtel du Palais Biarritz are at their best relative to the level of luxury on offer.
July and August are peak season with the warmest weather, a lively atmosphere, and excellent surf, but this also means higher prices and busier beaches. Winter is quiet, cooler, and more local. It’s a good time for spa escapes and coastal walks, but not ideal for beach days or a classic summer holiday.
| Season | Avg. High °C | Avg. High °F | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 15–20 °C | 59–68 °F | Mild, sunny, great for outdoor walks |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 22–26 °C | 72–79 °F | Warm, ideal for beach and surf |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 16–23 °C | 61–73 °F | Pleasant, fewer crowds |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 11–14 °C | 52–57 °F | Cool and quiet, spa season |
Biarritz offers scenic coastal walks, charming village dining, and a relaxed French Basque atmosphere.
What We Did
Most of our time in Biarritz was spent exactly as planned, relaxing. The pool area at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz became our base each day, a quiet spot to unwind after a busy trip through Spain. The village itself is an easy 5–10 minute walk from the hotel, with plenty of bistros serving simple but excellent food and wine. It’s also a great area for browsing small boutiques and enjoying the slower pace of the Basque coast.
Dining district in San Sebastián’s Old Town, just a short drive from Biarritz.
The highlight of the trip, though, was a day in San Sebastián. Like Biarritz, it has an easygoing atmosphere, but its real strength is food. We work with an exceptional local guide who runs private tapas tours and tailors each one to your preferences. For our tour, we focused on wine and ham, visiting some of the best ham bars in town while discovering new favorites like fresh white asparagus. It’s the kind of experience that gives real insight into the local culture and is absolutely worth a half- or full-day trip.
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz with pool and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Book Your Stay at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz
If you’re planning a trip to Biarritz, this is a property that genuinely delivers on every level. Hôtel du Palais Biarritz combines history, location, and service in a way that’s increasingly rare in European luxury hotels. By booking through Clements Travel with Hyatt Prive, you’ll receive daily breakfast for two, $100 in property credit, upgrades when available, and early check-in — all at the same rate as booking direct.
-
Message us on WhatsApp – simply click here to start a conversation and get real-time assistance.
-
Contact us – send your travel details and we’ll reply with the best current perks and offers available for your preferred dates. You can contact us here.
We can also arrange private experiences such as tapas tours in San Sebastián, coastal day trips, and personalized dining recommendations to make your time in Biarritz even more special.
