Hôtel du Palais: The Palace that Made Biarritz an Imperial Destination
Hôtel du Palais: The Palace that Made Biarritz an Imperial Destination
Since the nineteenth century, Biarritz has captivated travelers from across Europe. Its mild climate, wild beaches, and the magnetic allure of the Cantabrian Sea transformed this coastal town in the French Basque Country into a premier destination for the aristocracy. Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie de Montijo were the city’s most illustrious ambassadors. Here, they built their summer residence, Villa Eugénie, a gathering place for kings and nobles seeking leisure and wellbeing.
Over time, that imperial villa evolved into the Hôtel du Palais, an enduring symbol of French hospitality. Now managed by Hyatt and operating under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the hotel continues to embody Biarritz’s most refined image. Its 86 rooms and 56 suites —adorned with fine woods, trompe-l’œil paintings, and historic tapestries— preserve the atmosphere of the Second Empire while offering all the modern comforts.
The establishment’s Club Imperial, with its kidney-shaped pool nestled in lush gardens, and the Spa Imperial, spanning more than 2,500 m2 and dedicated to body and mind wellness, continue the tradition that made Biarritz a capital of savoir-vivre. The spa features nine treatment rooms in collaboration with Guerlain — a nod to history, as the perfumer was commissioned by Napoleon III to create Eau de Cologne Impériale for Empress Eugénie to celebrate their marriage, the very fragrance that still enchants Hôtel du Palais guests today.
Culinary offerings, led by chef Christophe Scheller, complete the experience: La Rotonde, a gastronomic restaurant whose dining room is celebrated among the world’s most beautiful; Salon & Terrace, a brasserie emphasizing seasonal ingredients and serving dishes in the elegant lounge next to the reception area or the hotel’s garden; Le Bar Napoléon III, inviting guests on a sensory journey through the refined art of mixology; Le Sunset, an outdoor summer restaurant with breathtaking views of the Grande Plage beach; and, lastly, Lounge Eugénie, inaugurated in 2025, a sushi bar pairing the chef’s creations with cocktails by Jérémy Lauilhé, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2023.
The very salons that once welcomed King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Coco Chanel, and Frank Sinatra now host heads of state, celebrities, and artists from around the globe, continuing the legacy of a palace that cemented Biarritz as one of the jet set’s most coveted destinations.
Hôtel du Palais
1, Avenue de l’Impératrice, Biarritz.
Tel.: +33 559 411 234
