You see it from the promenade, and it just looks... impossible. A massive, brick-red E-shaped fortress of luxury sitting right on the edge of the Atlantic. People walk by and assume it’s just another high-end Hyatt property, but they’re missing the point entirely. The Hotel du Palais Biarritz isn't a hotel that was built to look like a palace; it was an actual imperial residence that accidentally became the heartbeat of a town.
Honestly, Biarritz was a quiet whaling village before Empress Eugénie showed up. She had childhood memories of the place—apparently, she almost drowned here as a kid and was saved by local swimmers—and convinced Napoleon III to build her a summer villa in 1854. Ten months later, they had a palace. It’s wild to think that the entire "Queen of Beaches" reputation of the French Basque Country started because one Spanish-born Empress liked the way the salt air felt on her skin.
Why Hotel du Palais Biarritz is More Than Just a Pretty Face
Most people think "historic" means "stuffy." They expect dusty carpets and furniture you aren't allowed to touch. If you walk into the Hotel du Palais Biarritz today, that’s not the vibe. After a massive, multi-year renovation that wrapped up in 2022, the place is surprisingly bright. They kept the gold leaf. They kept the Corinthian columns. But they added these soft, sea-foam pastels and modern tech that makes it feel like a living building rather than a museum.
There are 142 rooms in total, including 56 suites. If you’re lucky enough to snag one on the top floor, it feels like you're on a luxury cruise liner because of the porthole-style windows. It’s a clever nod to the maritime history of the coast.
The hotel is currently part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, which is basically Hyatt’s way of saying, "This place is too weird and unique to be a standard Hyatt." It’s the only hotel on the French Atlantic coast with the official "Palace" distinction—a tier higher than five stars. In France, that’s a big deal. It means you have to meet insane criteria for service, history, and facilities.
The Food and the View: La Rotonde
You haven't really seen Biarritz until you’ve sat in La Rotonde. It’s a semi-circular dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the Grande Plage. The waves hit the rocks just a few yards away.
- The Cuisine: It’s Basque, but elevated. You're looking at local seafood, Pyrenees lamb, and that specific French obsession with butter and technique.
- The Vibe: At dinner, it’s formal. At breakfast, it’s surprisingly chill.
- The Michelin Star: The restaurant has historically danced with Michelin recognition, but the real draw is the sunset. Honestly, watching the sky turn purple over the Bay of Biscay while eating sea bass is worth the price of admission alone.
The Guests Who Made it Famous (and Infamous)
The guest list at Hotel du Palais Biarritz reads like a history textbook that got drunk on Champagne. Queen Victoria stayed here. So did King Edward VII. In the 1920s, the "Crazy Years," it was the place to be for the lost generation. Ernest Hemingway spent time in the area, and the hotel even has suites named after famous former residents like Winston Churchill and Coco Chanel.
There’s a legendary story about the swimming pool. It was inaugurated in the mid-20th century by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Can you imagine Sinatra lounging by a heated seawater pool in the South of France? It’s peak glamour.
But it hasn't always been easy. The original villa actually burned down in 1903. They rebuilt it in the shape of an "E" (for Eugénie) and expanded it significantly. During World War I, it was a hospital. During World War II, it was occupied by Nazi forces. It even closed down in the 1950s because it had fallen into such disrepair. The mayor of Biarritz at the time had to launch a campaign to save it, using the slogan "No Palace, No Millionaires." He knew that if the hotel died, the town’s economy would go with it.
Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
If you're planning to stay, or even just visit for a drink at the Napoleon III Bar, there are a few things you should know. This isn't a "check-in and stay in your room" kind of place.
- The Imperial Spa: It’s 3,000 square meters. They use Guerlain products. It’s arguably one of the best spas in Europe, specifically because of the indoor pool and the "Kinesis" fitness area.
- The Outdoor Pool: It’s heated seawater. Even if it’s a bit chilly outside, the pool is usually hovering around 28°C.
- The Location: You’re a 10-minute walk from the center of town. You can walk to the Biarritz Lighthouse or the Casino in no time.
What Most People Miss
The "Little Train" of Biarritz passes right by, and tourists always snap photos, but few realize the hotel is actually built on a promontory. This gives it a natural defense against the Atlantic's notorious winter storms. If you visit in the off-season (November to March), you can watch the massive swells of the Bay of Biscay from the safety of the bar. It’s dramatic, loud, and incredibly humbling.
The Hotel du Palais Biarritz is expensive. There’s no way around that. But unlike many modern luxury hotels that feel like they were built last week, this one has "soul." You can feel the weight of the history in the creak of the floorboards in the older wings.
How to Do Biarritz Right
If you want the full experience, don't just stay behind the hotel gates. Biarritz is the surf capital of Europe. Walk down to the Port Vieux or the Côte des Basques to see the longboarders. Grab a gâteau Basque (the black cherry one is the classic) from a local bakery like Miremont.
The hotel is a base camp for exploring the Basque Country. You’re close to the Spanish border—San Sebastián is only 40 minutes away. You can spend the morning in France and the afternoon eating tapas (pintxos) in Spain.
To experience the Hotel du Palais Biarritz without staying overnight, book a table for afternoon tea at Le Salon. You get the same palace service and the same views for the price of a pastry and a pot of tea. It’s the best "travel hack" for anyone who wants to soak in the Napoleonic atmosphere without spending four figures on a suite.
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Check the seasonal calendar before you go. The hotel usually has a "Russian Season" vibe in the autumn, a throwback to the Russian aristocrats who used to winter here. Also, keep in mind that the outdoor pool and "Le Sunset" restaurant are generally seasonal, typically open from April through October.
Go for the history, stay for the salt air, and definitely don't forget to try the hot chocolate. They still make it according to the traditional recipe from the Empress's time.
Next steps for your trip:
- Check the official Hyatt Unbound site for "Member Advance Purchase" rates, which can shave 15-20% off the standard price.
- Book spa treatments at least two weeks in advance, especially during the summer months, as the Guerlain spa fills up with non-residents.
- Pack a smart-casual outfit; while Biarritz is a surf town, the Palais is one of the few places where people still genuinely dress up for dinner.