I recently spent a couple of nights at Hotel du Palais Biarritz, a Hyatt Unbound Collection property. Let me say this upfront — this might be the most luxurious and impressive Hyatt property that (seemingly) no one talks about. In miles & points circles, we tend to create certain ”bucket list” experiences, yet this hotel…
Continue reading: Review: Hotel Du Palais Biarritz, Hyatt Unbound Collection
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Glad that you enjoyed it. I spent a few nights last September and fell in love with the town - its so lovely. Between the food, space and view, it has to be one of the best hotel breakfasts in Europe.
Beautiful hotel, but I would have asked for a downgrade from the cruise liner floor.
Also looks cold.
How many days did you spend in SS and Biarritz?
Wow that lobby! I feel like I'd need to dress up just to check in.
Also... Mr Trash vegetables???
Agree. I’ve stayed at like 15 “aspirational” Hyatts and this one is truly next level. Hoping to book again for next summer.
Ben, would you say the beaches got crowded? The waves look formidable. I wonder if people went into the sea. What time of the year was this? Thanks!
It is the name of the farmer... which does not mean what it means in english and that will be said Garbhahge in French in lieu of Garbeige/trash in english.
Biarritz is a very well known “surfing” town, and even though there are swimming beaches, the current and waves are pretty strong. For a more family friendly beach day, you want to drive towards Anglet, or, better yet, St Jean de Luz.
@lucky: did you get to enjoy the french Basque back country? This is by far my favorite area in France for the quality of the food, views, and activities!
This is a beautiful hotel in a charming town - if planning a trip to area, definitely recommend combining with visit to San Sebastián, which is a gem of a destination, and/or Bordeaux/wine country (including villages such as Saint-Emilion) - so much to do (eat/drink) and see and amazing hotels.
St Jean de Luz is our favorite place to stay in the area. Biarritz can get very, very crowded and parts of it have a very concrete, built-up feel. The high category redemption feels a bit steep for what's described here.
Would love to see this as well! We have had the pleasure of a handful but love to learn these favorites and hidden gems.
Be fair Lucky, the living room had 3 tiny windows, not 2 😉
Also, if someone could only visit one hotel, would you recommend this or Hotel Maria Cristina? Factoring in the town as well, not just the hotel.
If you are driving to this location then it really isn’t complete without a stay in Bordeaux visiting the First Growth Chateau’s and enjoying the food scene.
For those asking about aspirational properties, you'll find *most* of them under the Park Hyatt or Alila brands.
In terms of interesting undiscussed outliers, it might be limited to this and Hotel Martinez.
Most others are discussed ad nauseum in Hyatt Facebook or Reddit groups.
Glad to see La Rotonde has changed to offering also a menu selection rather than set menus. It was frustrating when there over a few stays in 2022 and 2023 and you had no choice but a set menu to sit in the main dining room. Which took 2-3 hours and was just too much.
With that, there are so many incredible Basque style seafood restaurants around the corner that you barely need to eat there at all outside of breakfast.
You would be surprised how casual it is there. Interestingly it’s a popular hotel in the fall and winter with American surfers who stay there to access the waves right outside. So you can imagine how casual the bar often is.
The gorgeous windows in La Rotonde *almost* make up for those tiny porthole windows in your suite.
Yet.....another.......picture........of..........avacado..........toast............. Oh yay!!
Noticed this, too. Particularly relevant given that Ben alludes to this being an under the radar bucket list property.
Nothing in the description really paints that picture, though. Lack of a "service" section doesn't do any favors to that.
It's a gorgeous property in a lovely town, but be aware that the rooms vary wildly. I've stayed there in August last year (peak vacation season) on a Hyatt redemption without status or upgrades and was put in what can only be described as a broom closet. It was hardly possible to walk around the bed and even the ceilings were much lower.
If you go, pay attention to the exact room you're getting. I'm glad you got a much better deal, Ben 😉
Thank you. My husband and I going to France next week for the first time abroad. (We are 60 but life was filled with raising kids). Anywho, staying at Hotel du Palais and appreciate your input. If you read this regularly, any other “must do’s in Biarritz? Want my husband to take surfing lesson (even though we live in Southern California) to have some time to chill by the pool.