Hôtel du Palais is the grand hotel of Biarritz and one of the most romantic beach hotels in France. It began around 1855 as a summer villa built by Napoleon III for Empress Eugénie, became a hotel in 1880 and was rebuilt after a fire in the early 1900s. Today it sits right on the Grande Plage with the Atlantic at the end of the garden and it is part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection.
For a honeymoon, it gives you two trips in one. By day you have a surf town with a long sandy beach, markets and pintxo bars a short walk away. By night you return to gilded salons, a outdoor pool facing the sea and dinner in a restaurant built for an empress. Spain is half an hour south, so a day in San Sebastián is easy.
It suits couples who like history and a bit of glamour with their beach time. Rooms vary a lot by view, so it pays to book carefully. Expect rates to rise sharply in July and August; June and September are better value and the sea is still warm enough to swim.
Highlights at a glance
- Former summer villa of Empress Eugénie
- Directly on the Grande Plage
- Outdoor pool facing the Atlantic
- Imperial Spa with Guerlain treatments
- Walking distance to Biarritz old town
Why Couples Love the Palais
The setting is hard to beat. The hotel stands alone at the edge of the Grande Plage, with the lighthouse to one side and the old town to the other. You can walk out of the garden onto the sand and in the evening the whole facade lights up over the beach.
The history adds romance. Royalty, film stars and writers have stayed here for more than a century and the salons still feel like a Second Empire stage set. Yet the hotel was refreshed in recent years, so the comfort is modern. Biarritz itself is relaxed and walkable, which keeps the grandeur from feeling stiff.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Categories run from Rooms and Deluxe Rooms, each offered with town, pool or beach views, through Junior Suites to Ocean, Palais, Imperial and Royal Suites.
For a honeymoon, the view matters most. A Deluxe Room with a beach view or an Ocean Suite gives you the Atlantic from bed and the sound of the surf at night. Rooms with town views are fine for a short stay but miss the point of the place. If you want to splurge, the Imperial Suite is the showpiece. Ask about corner rooms, which often have views in two directions and request a higher floor for a wider panorama.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Dining is spread across several rooms. L'Impératrice is the gastronomic restaurant, Villa Eugénie handles breakfast in grand style and Le Jardin de l'Océan offers a more relaxed setting. The Imperial Bar is the place for a pre-dinner drink and Le Sunset, next to the outdoor pool, is the obvious choice at the end of a beach day.
The Imperial Spa has an indoor pool, a hammam, a sauna and a fitness area, with Guerlain treatments. The outdoor pool, set between the hotel and the beach, is one of the loveliest spots in town to spend an afternoon, especially when the Atlantic is rough.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Biarritz has plenty for both of you.
- Take a surf lesson at Côte des Basques beach, the birthplace of surfing in France.
- Walk the coastal path to the Rocher de la Vierge at sunset.
- Graze on pintxos and oysters at the Halles market.
- Drive 20 minutes south to Saint-Jean-de-Luz for a calm swimming bay.
- Spend a day in San Sebastián, about 30 minutes across the border.
The Atlantic can have strong currents and big waves. Swim between the flags where lifeguards are on duty, especially at the Grande Plage.
Getting There
Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ) is about 10 minutes from the hotel by car, with connections through Paris and other European hubs. You can also take the TGV from Paris to Biarritz in about four hours and a short taxi ride to the hotel.
You do not need a car in Biarritz, since the beaches, old port and markets are all walkable. Rent one for a day or two if you want to explore the Basque villages inland, such as Espelette and Ainhoa, or drive along the coast to Spain. The hotel can arrange drivers for longer trips.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a grand hotel on a real beach, yes. Few places in Europe combine this kind of history with sand at the end of the garden and the pool and spa make it comfortable even when the weather turns.
It is a large hotel, so it lacks the intimacy of a small inn and summer rates are high. Couples who want quiet and value may prefer a boutique hotel in Guéthary or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, then a single night at the Palais for the experience. Book a sea-view room or do not bother: the view is what you are paying for.
Insider tips
- Always book a beach or ocean view; it changes the whole stay.
- Visit in June or September for better rates and warm water.
- Reserve a table at L'Impératrice early in summer.
- Take the coastal path to the Rocher de la Vierge at dusk.
