Hotel Cafe de Paris

When the SSNormandie was launched in 1935, she was not only the largest, fastest passenger ship of her time, she was considered to be the most fashionable as well, thanks to an Art Deco interior that was widely admired. It provided the inspiration for this hotel’s decor, particularly in the restaurant where rich wood paneling, metal grillwork in a geometric pattern, elongated wall sconces, and chandeliers that copy the Normandie’s originals evoke a bygone era. Here, as throughout the hotel, windows accentuate the water views -- and the fact that this is the only place in Biarritz to offer them from every guest room is enough to lure many travelers. 

The hotel is less than 100 feet from the nearest bus stop, but its convenient central location -- directly above the sandy Grand Plage on pedestrian-only Place Bellevue -- means that virtually everything vacationers want to see in this legendary resort town can be easily accessed on foot. Guests who prefer to pedal can rent a bike on-site. Car rentals are also available through the hotel, and there is an underground municipal car park just 33 feet away. Drivers can make it to either the airport or the SNCF train station in nine minutes; both can also be reached via public transport in under half an hour.

• One-minute walk to the Centre de Congrès Bellevue conference facility   
• Four-minute walk to Place Ste-Eugenie 
• Five-minute walk to the Grand Plage
• Five-minute walk to Casino Barriere
• Six-minute walk to Gare du Midi
• Six-minute walk to Jardin Public
• 10-minute walk to the Chapelle Imperiale 
• 10-minute walk to the Orthodox Church
• 13-minute walk to Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin)
• 13-minute walk to Plage du Miramar
• Nine-minute drive to SNCF Garre de Biarritz (16 by public transport )
• Nine-minute drive to Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (27 by public transport) 

Covering 161 to 290 square feet, the attractive Art Deco-influenced rooms here are decked out with sleek furniture that wouldn’t look out of place on a vintage ocean liner. All boast Instagramable water views, plus air-conditioning, minibars, tea/coffee-making equipment, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. Upper-category options add a dedicated seating area with a sofa bed; Junior Suites are split level, while the pricier Prestige Suites come with a big furnished balcony. All categories feature a striking bathroom decorated with metallic, iridescent tiles and lots of shiny chrome accents. Expect each bathroom to have at least one retro nautical-style sink, a heated towel rack, a separate toilet vestibule, and a rainfall shower or shower/tub combo; Chopard toiletries and cozy bathrobes are added bonuses. Note that suites can accommodate three or four guests, and children’s beds can be requested for standard rooms, which gives this place extra family appeal.

As its name suggests, food and beverages matter at Hotel Cafe de Paris Biarritz -- and the on-site restaurant and bar are major draws. The former (part of which can be closed off to create a meeting room) uses premium ingredients to prepare refined French bistro fare and favorite Basque dishes. As you’d expect, fresh seafood factors prominently on the menu; for guests traveling en famille, there is a kid-friendly menu designed specifically for petits gourmands, too. In-room dining is available. In warm weather, meals can also be eaten on the Place Bellevue terrace, which the restaurant shares with the adjacent bar. Offering sweeping water views, it’s a popular place to enjoy an afternoon apéro while drinking in the scenery or sip an after-dark nightcap with a side order of people-watching. 

Other hotel features include a 24-hour reception desk with helpful multilingual staff, concierge service, laundry/dry-cleaning service, a computer corner with a printer, free newspapers in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Unfortunately, the hotel has neither a pool nor fitness room here; however, it does sit directly above a sandy strand and walking the winding path back up from it may be exercise enough for some.