Are you looking for the best luxury hotels in Biarritz and don’t know which one to choose?
In this article, I guide you in your choice, through a complete description of each hotel and the advantages and disadvantages of each. I perfectly know each of them as I live at a few kilometres from Biarritz and I’ll give you my review as a hospitality expert and local guide.
You will discover:
- The Palace of Biarritz: Hotel du Palais, its incredible location and the incredible history of this princely residence.
- The four 5 star hotels in Biarritz.
- The 2 Thalassotherapy hotels – one of them being only a 3*.
- As a bonus, two luxury hotels near Biarritz.
FAQ on best luxury hotels in Biarritz France.
The title of Palace was created in 2010 to highlight the exceptional 5-star hotels. It rewards those whose particular historical, aesthetic and/or heritage interest, exceptional geographical location and tailor-made service make them the flagships of the French hotel industry. There are only 31 in France, including 3 in the Southwest.
There are only 4 5-star hotels in Biarritz, some of which are on the beach.
The Château de Brindos, located in the neighbouring town of Anglet, was considered the 5th 5-star hotel in Biarritz. It was placed in bankruptcy in October 2019, was rebought at the end of 2020 and should reopen for Summer 2021.
Yes. There are even two of them.
You can use the links in this article to book your luxury hotel directly, or you can contact me for the organisation of a tailor-made luxury stay. See some excursion ideas here
Comparison of the best luxury hotels Biarritz.
| Name | Why | Note | Book |
| Hotel du Palais | The only palace in Biarritz, the best located, on Biarritz Grande Plage and in a historic place. High quality service. Seawater swimming pool, Imperial Spa. The best luxury hotel in Biarritz. | Closed for renovation until 25.03.21. My favorite. | |
| Hotel Regina | 5-star hotel by the ocean, in front of the Biarritz lighthouse. Private swimming pools, Spa. | Road to cross and a little walk to reach the beach | |
| Hotel Beaumanoir | Small neo-baroque manor house, quiet and in the middle of the greenery, 2kms from the beach. Private swimming pool, Spa. A real family suite with real beds. | ||
| Sofitel le Miramar | 5-star hotel on Miramar beach and in the centre. Outdoor heated swimming pool. The only 5* Thalasso hotel in Biarritz. | The building’s exterior architecture is particularly ugly | |
| le Biarritz 3* | 3-star hotel with thalasso offer included. | 3* hotel | |
| Grand Hotel Thalasso et Spa | 5-star thalasso hotel ideally located on the beach of Saint Jean de Luz and in a very beautiful building. Very beautiful thalasso with indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam, salt cave. | In Saint Jean de Luz | |
| Hotel Parc Victoria | Relais et Châteaux 5* in a magnificent 1 hectare park, 350 metres from the beach of Saint Jean de Luz. Spa, heated outdoor swimming pool, areas reserved for children and teenagers. | In Saint Jean de Luz. My second favorite. |
Hotel du Palais Biarritz: the palace hotel of the city.
If you are looking for Biarritz palace hotels, here is the only one.
Hotel du Palais, formerly Villa Eugénie, is not only one of the best luxury hotels in Biarritz. It’s also one of the 31 palaces in France.
Ideally located on the Grande Plage and a 10 minute walking distance from the famous Rocher de la Vierge, it is also the 5-star hotel in Biarritz that I recommend. Unfortunately, it is closed for renovation until March 25, 2021.
Actually, there are more palaces in Biarritz but only private ones.
The history of Hotel du Palais Biarritz.
Built on the orders of Napoleon III, at the request of his wife, Empress Eugénie de Montijo, in 1854-1855, it was rebuilt and raised by one floor following a fire in 1903.
The location of this imperial summer villa in Biarritz and not in Le Touquet as initially planned, contributes to the development and influence of Miarritze, the two rocks.
At that time, Biarritz, whose Basque name is Miarritze, was indeed a small fishing village, which extended between two rocks, the Basta Rock and the Rock of the Virgin. Once the villa was built, the Kings, Emperors and Princes of other countries, but also the relatives of the Court, all wanted their own residence in Biarritz. This is the reason why there are so many beautiful residences in a very disparate style.
It has hosted the world’s celebrities and was home for the G7 in August 2019.
Description.
Building.
The building’s facades, in the Louis XIII style and forming an E for “Eugénie”, and its roofs have been classified as a Historic Monument since 1993.
Location.
At the very beginning of Avenue de l’Impératrice, the hotel is located in a large park overlooking the ocean and Biarritz beach the Grande Plage, in the very centre of the city.
Number of rooms.
It includes 85 rooms and 57 apartments and suites Second Empire.
Services.
The hotel includes a seawater pool, the magnificent Imperial Spa (Guerlain and Leonor Greyl) with indoor pool and fitness centre, a children’s club.
Restaurants.
The Hotel du Palais offers three tables, managed by Chef Jean-Marie Gautier, Meilleur Ouvrier de France:
- Villa Eugénie, gourmet restaurant in a large lounge with large bay windows overlooking the sea.
- Le Jardin de l’Océan, a brasserie on a terrace by the sea.
- The Sunset Bar, for a quick snack, by the seawater pool.
Price.
From 340€.
Booking.
You can click on the photo to book on the Agoda website, on the button to book on HotelsCombined, or contact me if you want me to organize a tailor-made stay for you.
My opinion as a customer relations professional.
I was extremely well received during my visit to the Hotel du Palais. All the staff were smiling, welcoming and very cooperative. The welcome was both friendly and courteous, which is unfortunately not always the case even in a 5-star hotel!
We like.
- The magnificent building.
- The soul of the place, through its history, atmosphere and decoration.
- The privileged location on Biarritz beach the Grande Plage.
- The splendid Imperial Spa.
- The beautiful restaurant Villa Eugénie, renowned as the most beautiful restaurant in Biarritz.
- The restaurant menu.
- The smiling, friendly and impeccable welcome.
We like less.
- The security staff at the entrance, not always very smart for a luxury hotel…
Hotel Regina Biarritz.
Hotel Regina is one of the 5 stars of Biarritz by the sea – but you have to cross the road.
The history of Hotel Regina Biarritz.
This building, built in 1906, opened its doors in the summer of 1907. In 1914, it was requisitioned as a military hospital. Between the two wars, it became a hotel again, receiving the celebrities of the time, before taking over the role of a military hospital and being devastated by the Germans in 1940. Completely renovated, it reopened in 1952.
Description.
Building.
Inspired by the Belle Epoque, the building combines Second Empire architecture and Art Deco. In 1926, it was enlarged with an Art Deco glass roof.
Location.
At 52 Avenue de l’Impératrice, Hotel Regina is located at the top of the avenue, opposite the Biarritz lighthouse and 5 minutes from the beach, away from the bustle of the centre. The oldest golf club in the city is located just next door.
Number of rooms.
The Boutique Hotel Regina offers 65 rooms and suites.
With a minimum surface area of 20m², between Art Deco style and Coco Chanel, some rooms have a view or even a terrace overlooking the sea.
The 10 suites, with a surface area of 40 or even 45m² and able to accommodate up to 4 people, have a lounge and a refined decoration.
Services.
Hotel Regina offers a Spa by Sothis®, a hammam, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room and a solarium.
Restaurant.
The Iqory restaurant is run by chef Antoine Chuard, who won the French international selection in the Chefs category.
Its decoration is more cosy and relaxed than the rest of the hotel and it has an outdoor terrace with a view of the ocean and the Biarritz lighthouse.
Price.
From 154€.
Booking.
Click on the picture to book on Agoda, on the button to book on Hotels Combined or contact me for the organization of your complete stay.
My opinion as a hospitality expert.
Although the welcome was good, I didn’t find it as good as a 5-star establishment and a little cavalier…
Opinions to be moderated, however. I may not have come at the right time – there was work to be done. On Booking, staff are rated 9.1/10 and comments regularly praise them.
We like.
- The beautiful building.
- The art deco glass roof.
- The proximity of the Biarritz lighthouse and the view of the ocean.
- The outdoor terrace of the restaurant.
- The restaurant menu.
- The Spa.
- The proximity of the golf club.
We like less.
- Be it on the wrong side of the road.
Hotel Beaumanoir Biarritz.
Boutique-Hotel Beaumanoir is a small 5-star residence, 2 kilometres from main Biarritz beach, Grande Plage. Ideal for those looking for a quiet area in a green setting and/or a small, upscale hotel.
The only downside is that there is no restaurant.
Description.
Building.
The Hotel is housed in a neo-baroque mansion in a one-hectare park.
Location.
Located in a quiet area at 10 Avenue de Tamamès, the manor is about 5 minutes by car – 15 minutes by foot – from the Grande Plage and the centre of Biarritz.
Number of rooms.
Baroque in style, the hotel includes:
- 4 double rooms.
- 2 suites.
- 3 apartments.
Services.
The hotel offers the following facilities and services:
- A 25-metre long swimming pool.
- Spa and massages.
- Parking closed.
- Butler service.
- Possibility of Rolls Royce transfer in addition.
Restaurant.
The hotel does not offer a restaurant. The bar, in the Dom Perignon style, offers a small “chic snacking” menu from noon to midnight.
Price.
From 250€.
Booking.
My opinion as a customer relations expert.
Beaumanoir Small Luxury Boutique Hotel is ideal for couples looking for peace and luxury, or for families. The family suite offers two separate rooms with real beds, which is very rare.
Note: the website is not up to date and contains incorrect information (free Rolls Royce service).
We like.
- The architecture of the place.
- The one hectare park is very well maintained.
- The swimming corridor.
- The calm and intimacy of the place.
- A real family suite with real beds in two separate bedrooms.
We like less.
- The absence of a restaurant, which is nevertheless understandable given the size of the hotel.
- The long annual closure.
Sofitel Biarritz le Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa: 5 stars Thalassotherapy hotel.
Sofitel Biarritz Miramar Thalassa sea & spa is the only 5-star Thalasso hotel in Biarritz.
The history of Sofitel Biarritz Miramar.
Located on Louison Bobet Street, the thalassotherapy hotel was built at the request of… his brother Jean Bobet! It is ISO 14001 certified, which rewards establishments that have a strong commitment to the environment.
Description.
Building.
The building, very modern and 70’s style, is particularly… ugly!
Location.
Although located on Louison Bobet Street, the Miramar is located in the middle of Avenue de l’Impératrice, a stone’s throw from the heart of the city and on Miramar Beach. It offers a beautiful view of this beach and Biarritz lighthouse.
Number of rooms.
126 rooms with a 70s style decoration and 17 suites with a slightly more modern decoration.
Services.
Sofitel Biarritz Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa offers:
- A fitness area accessible free of charge for all guests staying at the hotel.
- A large outdoor heated seawater pool, accessible free of charge to guests staying at the hotel.
- Spa with heated indoor pool, private pavilions, solarium, sauna, jacuzzi, beauty and hair salon.
- Thalassotherapy cures.
Restaurant.
The “Restaurant” offers regional dishes revisited by Chef Robert Job, in a light version.
Price.
From 177€.
Booking.
Click on the picture to book on Agoda, on the button to book on HotelsCombined or contact me for the organization of your complete tour
We like.
- The situation, on the beautiful quiet beach of Miramar.
- The view on the Biarritz lighthouse and the pierced rock of the Miramar.
- Proximity to the centre.
- The heated outdoor swimming pool.
- The restaurant’s ocean view terrace.
- The Thalassa thalassotherapy offer.
We like less.
- The awful building.
- The decoration of the rooms very 70’s.
- The small size of the room terraces.
- The small terraces on the side of the alley, rather gloomy.
hotel le Biarritz Thalasso 3*.
Biarritz is associated with Thalamar thalasso, 150 metres from the hotel. The hotel is one of only two in Biarritz to offer a combined hotel + thalassotherapy package. That’s why I present it here, even if it’s not a 5-star.
Description.
Building.
Modern and without any charm.
Location.
The hotel is located at 30 avenue de la Milady, 150 meters from the Thalassotherapy Thalamar, 250 meters from the beach of the Côte des Basques, 350 meters from the beach of Marbella and 350 meters from the beach of la Milady. It has a view of the ocean.
Number of rooms.
The hotel offers 49 rooms, some with a terrace overlooking the sea.
Services.
Free access to the L’Archipel pool for hotel guests (heated seawater pool with jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and aquagym and aquabike courses).
Access to the Fitness Square is available to hotel guests throughout the stay (panoramic view of the ocean).
Restaurant.
Restaurant Le Ponton offers a traditional cuisine based on fresh produce. It has a terrace overlooking the ocean and its large bay windows also offer a view of the ocean.
Price.
From 134€.
Booking.
On Agoda by clicking on the picture, on Booking by clicking on the button, or by contacting me for the organization of a tour.
We like.
- The privileged location near “Côte des Basques” beach and its view.
- Including access to Thalamar.
- Thalasso’s offer.
- The view from the restaurant and its terrace.
- The marine atmosphere of the rooms.
We like less.
- The price is a little high for a 3*.
- The absence of “little extras” such as a minibar or a courtesy tray to make tea or coffee.
- The lack of charm of the building.
- The sound insulation is not necessarily optimal.
Bonus: luxury hotels near Biarritz.
Saint Jean de Luz, a very pretty little town 11 kilometres away and also on the ocean shore, offers two 5-star hotels:
- Grand Hotel Thalasso and Spa.
- Hotel Parc Victoria.
Grand Hotel Thalasso et Spa Saint Jean de Luz.
This luxury hotel, by the ocean, also offers thalassotherapy treatments.
The story of Grand Hotel Saint Jean de Luz.
At the end of the 19th century, the first hotel in Saint Jean de Luz, the Terminus, was built. Destroyed by a fire in 1904, a new, larger and more luxurious establishment was created under the name Modern Hotel. In 1982, it was put up for sale, completely renovated and rehabilitated, and reopened under the name of Grand Hotel.
The Loreamar Thalasso & Spa thalassotherapy institute was added to it in 2007, giving the name Grand Hotel Thalasso et Spa.
Description.
Building.
Grand Hotel thalasso Saint Jean de Luz is housed in a magnificent Belle Epoque style building, with coffered ceilings, cabochon marbles and a large wooden staircase.
Location.
Located on Boulevard Thiers, on the Bay of Saint Jean de Luz, a stone’s throw from the casino, its location is ideal.
Number of rooms.
The hotel has 52 rooms and suites:
- 11 “Classic” rooms of 22 m², city side, with contemporary decoration.
- 13 “Superior” rooms from 23 to 40m², with an unobstructed view of the city.
- 6 “Superior Ocean” rooms of 22m², with wrought iron balcony and ocean view.
- 10 “Deluxe Ocean” rooms from 24 to 30m², with wrought iron balcony or loggia with direct orientation on the ocean.
- 2 “Family” rooms of 40m², facing the city and on the 1st floor. They include a bedroom and a living room with a sofa bed.
- 2 Juniors Suite “Sainte Barbe” of 36m², on the 3rd floor, with a beautiful view on the ocean and the hill of Sainte Barbe and a view on the city from the wrought iron balconette.
- 6 Juniors Suite “Ocean Terrace” from 35 to 45m², on the 1st floor, with a magnificent view of the ocean and the bay from their terrace and a blond oak floor.
- 2 “Ocean Terrace” suites of 63m², with terrace overlooking the ocean and very refined decoration: antique paintings and mirrors, blond oak parquet flooring, antique furniture, silky fabrics.
Services.
The hotel offers:
- Loreamar Thalasso and Spa, in a fabulous setting reminiscent of the old baths of Saint Jean de Luz, with an indoor heated seawater pool, sauna, hammam, salt cave and fitness centre.
Restaurant.
Chef Julien Richard and pastry chef Mathieu Bernard officiate in the starred restaurant l’Océan, with its view and terrace overlooking the ocean.
Price.
From 179€.
Booking.
You can click on the picture to book on Agoda, on the button to book on HotelsCombined or contact me for the organization of your trip.
My opinion as an Hospitality expert.
Although this magnificent hotel offers a fabulous setting and top-of-the-range services, the welcome I received there was not up to the standard of a 5-star hotel.
Other clients and I had to be patient: the staff was busy talking to each other. The contact seemed cold and rather haughty to me. We seemed to be disturbing.
I was given the marketing manager’s card – I wasn’t coming as a customer – and I never received a reply to my email…
We like.
- The magnificent location and the decoration.
- The absolutely magical and relaxing Thalassotherapy centre.
- The privileged situation.
- The restaurant’s terrace overlooking the ocean.
- The restaurant menu.
We like less.
- Reception and customer relationship management, in my opinion not at the level of a 5*.
Hotel Parc victoria Saint Jean de Luz.
In the centre of Saint Jean de Luz and 350 metres from the beach, this 5-star hotel Relais et Châteaux is located in the calm of a magnificent one-hectare park.
Description.
Building.
Hotel Parc Victoria Saint Jean de Luz is a beautiful 19th century residence with character, formerly a private mansion.
Location.
Located at 5 rue Cèpé, the hotel is 350 metres from the North beach of the Digue aux chevaux, 400 metres from the Flots Bleus beach and 450 metres from the Grande Plage of Saint Jean de Luz.
Number of rooms.
The hotel offers 21 Art Deco style rooms and suites, with paintings, sculptures, beautiful carpets and marble bathrooms.
Services.
The hotel offers several original and very attractive facilities:
- A space reserved for teenagers, with snooker table, juke box, library, TV, DVD and internet access.
- A games room for the little ones and another for the little ones up to 5 years old.
- A massage and care area.
- A Spa, Fitness and relaxation area with heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
Restaurant.
The gourmet restaurant Les Lierres, run by Chef Guillaume Applaincourt, has 3 rooms:
- An Art Deco style room.
- A room in the winter garden.
- The private dining room.
When the weather is fine, the restaurant settles by the pool, under the palm trees.
Price.
From 218€.
Booking.
Book on Agoda by clicking on the picture, on Booking by clicking on the button or by contacting me to organize your trip to the Basque Country.
We like.
- The beautiful building and the refined decoration.
- The magnificent park and its swimming pool.
- The spaces reserved for children.
- The offer of massages and treatments.
- The calm of the place and its proximity to the ocean.
- The different atmospheres of the restaurant.
- The restaurant’s incredible menu.
We like less.
- The absence of a view of the ocean (but it’s to find a flaw).
Conclusion – Best Biarritz luxury hotels.
You now have all the keys to make an informed choice of the best luxury hotels in Biarritz.
Whether you are looking for a palace, a seaside hotel, a more intimate luxury hotel or a Thalassotherapy, you will find the hotel that suits your needs.
Have you ever stayed in one of the best hotels in Biarritz or the surrounding area? Tell us about your experience!
You can read my full guide to Biarritz here
For hotels in Basque Country, read this guide
Share this article with your family or friends who are planning their next trip to the south of France, or with luxury lovers who want to dream in front of beautiful buildings.
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