Best hotels in Biarritz to book for your next getaway
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For all the glamorous clamour around Biarritz, this village on the French Basque coast is quite tranquil, and the best hotels in Biarritz are reason enough to visit. New and old money hide away in hulking manor houses on its peaceful streets, while crowds of tourists roll in like a tide every summer to amble aimlessly along the nearly three miles of coastal promenade. The regal silhouette of the city’s most dazzling sight – a former imperial palace perched above the sea —stands as a monument to the opulence that drew Europe’s elite to this once-humble fishing village. But on the sands below, neoprene-clad surfers looking for swells and families crowding onto towels set a different rhythm.
With a winter population of 25,000 that explodes by five in summer, the city’s duality between polished grandeur and salt-crusted freedom characterises every aspect of life there. Surprisingly, or perhaps not considering its diminutive size, good hotels can be hard to find. These Biarritz hotels are, hands down, your best bet among the mix of serviceable-but-forgettable beach lodgings and overpriced two stars. With Spain a quick drive away and the Atlantic always within earshot, these hotels are the perfect base for exploring all of the Basque Country.
The best hotels in Biarritz at a glance:
Best for luxury/history: Hotel du Palais
Best for a peaceful escape: Brindos Lac & Chateau
Best for location: Hotel Roc Seven Biarritz
Best for families: Hotel Indarra
Best affordable stay: Hotel St. Julien
Best for couples: Villa Magnan
Hôtel Roc Seven Biarritz
The paint of this stylish refurbishment of one of Biarritz’s most popular establishments is still drying, but that hasn’t stopped the hordes from swarming Roc Seven’s sun-soaked two-story terrace. The terraces and all nine rooms look out on the cosy Port-Vieux, a romantic rock-lined cove. Owner Véronique designed the terracotta and khaki interior, opting for an earthy, textured aesthetic, from light wood floors to sisal rugs and the geometric assemblage art on the bedroom walls. Bathrooms feature glossy green tiles and cool stone floors, with double-sink setups and a back-to-basics rotary phone perched on the credenza for a touch of old-school charm. Keep your windows open to hear the sound of waves, linen curtains billowing, and the occasional DJ spinning the hotel’s regular live music sessions. Fahrenheit Seven, the group behind the hotel, is known for buzzy, cocktail-forward restaurants, and Roc Seven Biarritz is no exception. A thoroughly tempting menu of antipasti and mains like plates of orecchiette and linguini dressed in homemade pesto and ragù is more trattoria table than Basque cuisine, but it’s a smart, shareable take that attracts a constant crowd of locals. The Santi Rosa Spritz or the Green Wave (gin, St. Germain, cucumber syrup, mint and lime) is a must at golden hour, best enjoyed al fresco with the sea breeze drifting through the chic Biarritz crowds.
Address: 14 Rue du Port-Vieux, 64200 Biarritz, France
Anthony ParkinsonHotel du Palais
Few properties capture Biarritz’s storied glamour quite like the Hôtel du Palais. From its stately perch over the rock-cropped beaches of Biarritz, the Hotel du Palais steered the town’s transformation from sleepy fishing village to playground for royalty and jetsetters alike. The magnificent 19th-century mansion was a larger-than-life gift from Napoleon III to Empress Eugénie, and their initials are still embroidered everywhere from the downy robes to the coasters under the excellent craft cocktails. The 153 rooms, ranging from elegantly appointed doubles to once-in-a-lifetime palatial suites complete with foyers and marble statues, are Biarritz’s most luxurious. Hôtel du Palais has no qualms about what it is; while some could argue the décor is too period, the sweeping staircases and marble-columned salons make this hotel a fantastic chance to slip into a time-space continuum and fancy oneself a royal in turn-of-the-century Europe. The staff makes it easy to stay in character, anticipating every need in uniform, from bespoke treatments at the sprawling Guerlain Spa to personal training in the sea-view gym. “Taking the cure”, a historical pastime for visitors to Biarritz, never felt more decadent than by the crystalline outdoor pool-by-the-sea, where waiters circulate to ensure your glass is never empty and private cabins offer an intimate refuge. Dining is equally dramatic: La Rotonde’s sea-facing dining room, crowned by a half-ton crystal chandelier, serves refined Basque-French fare, and debonair bartenders sling inventive cocktails in the adjacent Club Napoléon III bar.
Address: 1 Avenue de l'Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France
MR.TRIPPERRegina Experimental
This 72-room Belle Epoque behemoth is the Experimental Group’s second property in Biarritz. Tucked away from the madness of the Grande Plage crowd, on the border of Anglet, the hotel’s slight remove feels less like a compromise and more like an intentional sanctuary. Interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon lightens the grandeur of the 1907 building’s arches, mouldings, and breathtaking 15-metre atrium with her playful, geometric take on Basque coastal style. Rooms are exactly how beachside lodging should be—airy, with ocean views, decked out with nautical fabrics and thick rope ingeniously transformed into mirror frames and table lamps. Experimental is known for its food and beverage program, and in this case, Chef Greg Marchand of Frenchie fame has poached his lauded Parisian bistro to create a Basque-flavoured version. Micro-seasonal cooking shines, with a tasting menu of dishes from butternut squash with blue-cheese emulsion and line-caught hake from nearby ports to milk-fed chicken with porcini. In warmer months, the outdoor pool beckons, a sea of red parasols and cream accents perfect for languid afternoons, cocktail in hand, surveying the centuries-old lighthouse that stands sentinel over this seaside paradise. Read the full review of Regina Experimental Biarritz.
Address: 52 Avenue de l'Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France
David Duchon-DorisLe Garage
Paris to Biarritz is a well-trodden path for the in-crowd, so it’s only natural that the Experimental Group, Parisian hoteliers known for their effortlessly cool cocktail bars and boutique hotels, would leap with Le Garage, their first property on the Basque coast. If it's more serious, sister hotel next door, Regina Experimental, is an elegant dinner; Le Garage would be brunch – laidback, playful, with a sparkling sense that anything can happen within the bounds of its shrub-shrouded pool garden. An open-plan lobby doubles as a stylish social hub, featuring retro tiles and lamps that accentuate terrazzo flooring and raw, exposed concrete. The soirées often spill outside to the garden, ringed by colourful loungers and home to DJ sets and weekend parties. All 27 rooms feel spacious for Biarritz, and several are suites complete with sea views, terraces, and kitchenettes, servicing the sweet spot for long stays and families. Experimental understands the importance of vibes, so lights are low and colour palettes are on-trend hues of pink and green. Despite being a bit uphill from the town centre, or perhaps because of it, Le Garage feels both like a locals’ hangout and a hidden gem.
Address: 50 Av. de l'Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France
Hotel de Silhouette
One of the oldest buildings in Biarritz, dating back to 1600, Hotel de Silhouette was once the residence of Étienne de Silhouette, the French finance minister whose austerity measures inspired the term ‘silhouette.’ The simple wrought-iron gate announcing its presence just across from Les Halles belies a rich, maximalist renovation by architects Hurle & Martín and designer Juliette Saier. At the entry, the lobby and bar space buzzes with a mix of patterns – rattan wallpaper meets glossy tile, ikat curtains alongside geometric prints – while palms seem to sprout from every corner, even the light fixtures. All 21 rooms feel like the home of a well-travelled collector, marrying 1920s opulence with modern comforts like Smeg kettles and Nespresso machines. Burnt-red walls and cream woodwork echo the colours of Biarritz’s skyline, of which most rooms have an eagle’s eye view stretching to the ocean. The whole place feels like a ‘best-kept secret’ type of spot, especially the magical terrace garden open nightly for truffled croque monsieurs and plates of grilled octopus served with beetroot hummus and persillade.
Address: 30 Rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz, France
@aymeric.massonBrindos lac & Chateau
Floating between a dream and reality on one of France's largest private lakes, Brindos Lac & Château casts an enchanting spell between the walls of its ivy-covered Hispano-Moorish 1930s mansion. The property's crown jewels are the ten floating rooms that hover mysteriously above the water's surface, accessible only by silent electric boat. Inside the main château, the natural textured Basque-striped linens and shimmering crystal and gold accents of the remaining 29 rooms evoke a modern seaside Gatsby-esque glamour. The hotel’s restaurant is its pièce de résistance, dripping with crystalline chandeliers and fern fronds, with full-length views of the lake. A local destination, it’s one of those rare hotel restaurants that’s a must dine, thanks to chef Hugo De La Barrière’s hand with local produce. It’s the perfect combination of a white tablecloth, seasonality, and creativity, so sit back and enjoy dishes like local white asparagus, lightly pickled in miso escabeche, or a delicious dish of seared Basque veal accompanied by a tiny sweetbread croque monsieur. This hotel is conveniently located very near the airport, and Biarritz's famed beaches lie just minutes away. The only downside? Between lounging by the pool with a cocktail in hand and an extravagant afternoon goûter served in the Chocolaterie with thick homemade Bayonne hot chocolate on delicate porcelain, you may not want to leave this magical hideaway.
Address: 1 Allée du Château, 64600 Anglet, France
David Duchon-DorisHotel Indarra
While Biarritz’s coast draws the crowds, a seven-minute drive inland to Hotel Indarra feels like discovering your own secret Basque retreat. Charlotte and Sébastien Grandchamp fled Paris to the countryside to renovate this 1870 farmhouse-turned-hotel, turning it into a 33-room haven of calm. Don’t let the whitewashed façade and its traditional Basque red shutters fool you – this is a stylish retreat with a surf motel vibe, where guests are welcomed by a row of surfboards and chic hoodies, sculptures from local second-hand markets, and coffee-table tomes on sneakers, art, and Biarritz itself. The lodge invites lingering, best done at the hour of le goûter when an afternoon cake is set out for guests. Most of the rooms are located outside the main house, opening onto the garden and pool, creating a luxe motel effect as well as added privacy. Rooms are soothing, with crisp white walls and light oak floors, dotted here and there with wood-carved accents and surf photography. Family suites are spacious with a nook for a single bed and vintage kids-sized chairs. Yoga classes are held regularly at the gorgeous studio looking out on the heated outdoor pool, which also stocks bands, weights and jump ropes. Underground, a private sauna, steam room and massage cabins offer space for a mini-recovery session.
Address: 1 Route de Saint-Pée, 64210 Arbonne, France
L'Auberge Basque
Just a few minutes outside of Biarritz’s centre, the softly rolling hills of the Basque Country begin to unfurl into a picturesque pastoral of green dotted with the white of sheep and farmhouses. This is the heart of the Basque countryside, where life revolves around nature, tradition, and the table – and L’Auberge Basque offers an elegant gateway to it all. Cédric and Marion Béchade have lovingly transformed a 1672 baserri into the French Basque Country’s most perfect peaceful epicurean hideaway. Just 5 minutes by car from Biarritz, this 12-room countryside retreat feels a world away from bustling beaches, and its Michelin-starred restaurant, run by Cédric, is a destination unto itself. Accept your welcome drink of cool lemongrass rose infusion, served on a poolside terrace overlooking the foothills of the Pyrenees, and adjust your speed to country contemplation mode. Inside, wooden floorboards and ceiling beams are complemented by a decisively contemporary refurb – blue-grey velvet headboards, black-and-white photography, and spacious micro cement bathrooms in peaceful greenish blues. Of course, the rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies with countryside views draw most of the attention; this auberge’s raison d’etre is the surrounding environment. This holds true at dinner as well; do not leave L’Auberge Basque without experiencing its tasting menu, a masterclass in seasonality and technique, where ingredients like chestnut might appear across multiple courses in strikingly different forms: as a luscious butter, a delicately flavoured foam, and even a refined dessert cake.
Address: 745 Vieille Route de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, 64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
VILLA MAGNANVilla Magnan.jpg
Anne and Jérôme Israël, owners of Villa Magnan, were once, like so many others, on a mini-break in Biarritz. The difference? They returned to their home in Paris with a very special souvenir – one of Biarritz’s most storied, secretive mansions. Since that fateful holiday, with the help of their daughter, Zélie, they have turned Villa Magnan into a magical pension de famille. On the outskirts of Biarritz, magnificent wooden gates under a stone arch set the scene, and beyond them, the rules of traditional hotels do not apply. Objects d’art and vintage furniture abound, there’s not a television in sight, and everything from breakfast served on a giant wood-burning stove to the garden furniture is calculated to bring guests out of their digital fog and into a world of analogue sensations.
When Anne found the gingerbread neo-Basque cottages and low-lying stone mansion, originally built in the 1920s by Spanish royalty, the roofs were caving in. Now the concierge and gardener’s quarters house five rooms that are less hotel and more an invitation to inhabit a fairy tale. An original tiled bathroom with antique fixtures, a bed sunk into the floor of a library: fantastical details sneak up on you until you realise you’ve been served the antidote to modern life in this imperfectly perfect home away from home. Happily, it goes down easily in the form of a glistening pool in a hidden garden, pintxos at a bar tucked under the trees, or a dish of silky white asparagus with smoked sheep’s cheese in the hotel’s outdoor greenhouse restaurant, De Puta Madre. The aesthetic sensibility and magnetic spirit of Villa Magnan have taken Instagram by storm, making the hotel a favourite among the creative set. The Orangerie’s peeling cement walls and miles-long table with candles dripping pastel wax do scream to be photographed, but no matter how many pictures you take of Villa Magnan, it will never be enough, so set down your phone and just be.
Address: 11 Rue de Mouriscot, 64200 Biarritz, France
Maité PhotoHotel St. Julien
Biarritz is overrun with small, privately owned hotels that blend into one another, too mediocre to even call ‘boutique’ (yet still scandalously overpriced). Hôtel Saint-Julien stands out among the pack for visitors looking for local over luxury. Part of Ginto, a small French hotel group dedicated to modernising the French chambre d’hôtes ethos, Hôtel Saint-Julien radiates homey from the walk up the manor’s stairs into its light-filled salon, where homemade lemonade and bakery, books and board games await. The 26 rooms are all different, with newer rooms on lower levels that blend neo-Basque oak accents with velour upholstery and Berber rugs. In summer months, the petite courtyard bar opens for twilight cocktails and drinks from the wine cave downstairs.
Address: 20 Avenue Carnot, 64200 Biarritz, France