Some hotels are chosen for their location, others are visited for their history as much as for a night's stay. The Hôtel du Palais, on Biarritz's Grande Plage, undoubtedly belongs to the latter category: the only "palace" on France's Atlantic coast, it remains inseparable from the destiny of an entire town.
An imperial villa turned legend
It all began in 1854, when Napoleon III had a summer residence built facing the ocean for Empress Eugénie: the Villa Eugénie, completed in a record twelve months. The imperial couple spent nearly every summer there for sixteen years, turning a modest fishing village into a fashionable resort for the whole of European aristocracy. After the emperor's death, the empress sold the villa, which became a casino-hotel and then, in 1893, the Hôtel du Palais as we know it today. A fire ravaged it in 1903; it was immediately rebuilt keeping its original "E"-shaped layout, in tribute to Eugénie.
A century of crowned heads
Since then, the establishment has never stopped attracting an extraordinary clientele: Queen Victoria, Sarah Bernhardt, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and later, Frank Sinatra or Gary Cooper around the outdoor pool fed directly with seawater. In 2019, the hotel hosted the heads of state gathered for the G7 summit, confirming its status as a diplomatic as much as a touristic stage.
A palace that has reinvented itself
Closed for renovation for several years, the Hôtel du Palais reopened in 2022 under the Hyatt banner, with a renovation designed to reconcile modernity with ecological transition without ever betraying its soul. Its 142 rooms and suites, some exceeding 300 square metres, retain the Second Empire style, while the 3,000-square-metre Imperial Spa meets the most contemporary wellness standards. A rare feature: the establishment has its own team of art craftsmen, cabinetmakers and upholsterers, dedicated to maintaining the site's heritage.
La Rotonde and Aurélien Largeau's table
The restaurant La Rotonde, with its 180-degree panoramic view over the ocean, embodies the Palais's gastronomic experience, led by chef Aurélien Largeau. The menu, rooted in Basque produce, is also served at the Bar Napoléon III and on La Terrasse, where guests can take the time to watch the Atlantic change colour as the day unfolds.
Why stay there
Beyond its status as a living monument, the Hôtel du Palais offers direct access to the Grande Plage, just minutes on foot from the Port des Pêcheurs and Biarritz's old town. It is an address that convinces history lovers and those simply seeking the best seaside location on the Basque coast alike.
Passionate about travel and urban discoveries, I create guides to help travelers organize their getaways in the most beautiful cities in Europe and elsewhere. Through City Travelers, I share itineraries, practical tips and tour ideas to take full advantage of each destination, for a weekend or a longer stay.
