Hotel Best Western Plus Karitza

This is a clean and contemporary property with more personality and cheer than the typical Best Western. The lobby is decorated in shades of plum and moody gray, and outfitted with bamboo screens and natural wood coffee tables, black faux-sheepskin rugs, zebra-print accents, and cobalt velour loveseats. The breakfast room is decorated similarly inside, and offers a terrace with wicker seating. Out back is a small pool, which is fenced off and set in a garden with tables and chairs, a few loungers, and young palm trees. The Best Western attracts a mix of business travelers and tourists looking to capitalize on the hotel’s convenient setting. 

Set just outside the tangled maze of narrow alleys that makes up Biarritz’s historic center, the Best Western Plus Karitza has a great location. The hotel is 10 minutes’ walk through the old town from the La Grande beach, and 12 minutes from Place Bellevue square, while a 25-minute bus ride in the other direction leads to Bayonne and its imposing cathedral. Meanwhile, a 50-minute drive takes guests across the border to the city of San Sebastian. Biarritz Station is a seven-minute drive from the hotel, while transfers to Biarritz Pays Basque Airport take roughly 10 minutes by car.

The 77 rooms at the Best Western Plus Karitza are contemporary and cheerful, featuring white walls with big picture murals of the sand, medium-tone or white wood furniture, and bright splashes of color like red or orange in throw pillows, curtains, and on walls. Unfortunately, they're certainly on the small side. Still, all the basics are provided for, aside from mini-fridges; standard amenities include chairs and small desks, flat-screen TVs, small closets with safes, bathrobes and slippers, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Executive rooms have larger desks and Nespresso machines. White-tiled bathrooms have bold pops of color, shower cubicles, hairdryers, and toiletries. 

There is one Family Suite available, offering two bedrooms and a separate lounge, as well as a small but decently equipped kitchenette with a two-ring hob, microwave, and mini-fridge. It also has a terrace and a bathroom with a shower/tub combo. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all rooms.

As with most Best Westerns, features are on the limited side. Although there's no full restaurant on-site, past guests generally give positive reviews to the continental breakfast buffet that's provided. Outdoors is a small, heated lap pool set in the middle of a grassy lawn with loungers and dining tables. There is secure underground parking for a fee. A business center and meeting room are also on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.