Le Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa – MGallery Collection

Le Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa is situated in a quiet residential area away from the central Biarritz hubbub. Housed in a Belle Epoque building erected in 1907, the hotel's central design feature is an impressive glass-ceilinged and light-filled atrium lobby, with tiers of white arches framing the vivid red walls of hallways. While the hotel falls just short of its luxury ambitions, the style here reflects the refined vibe in Biarritz. Guests gather in the lobby cafe, with a black-and-white checkerboard floor, and in the lobby lounge, which is done in warm beige furnishings and Art Deco-inspired carpeting. The hotel's main restaurant and rooms all continue this sharp Art Deco theme. High-grade materials like ebony, rosewood, lacquer, and leather all add just the right amount of glitz and polish throughout the property. Le Regina draws mostly well-heeled tourists and couples to its elegant retro atmosphere, fine dining, and quiet location not far from the beach and lighthouse. 

Le Regina Biarritz is in a largely residential area, overlooking the Bay of Biscay about a five-minute walk from Plage du Miramar beach. The Phare Golf Course is right next door, while the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse -- which features great views of the ocean and coast -- is five-minute walk from the hotel. The Orthodox Church of Biarritz and Chapelle Imperial church are also both a little over a five-minute minute walk from the hotel. Le Regina is a little under a five-minute drive and a little under a 15-minute walk from the area with Casino Barriere, Place Bellevue square, and Bellevue Congress Center. This area also offers numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries. Chambre d'Amour surf beach is a little over a five-minute drive, for those needing beach alternatives. Gare du Midi train station is about a five-minute drive, and the SNCF train station and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport are both within a 10-minute drive of the hotel.

Rooms and suites have an upscale contemporary look with Art Deco embellishments and a camellia motif inspired by Coco Chanel. The color palette is a warm cream, beige, brown, and black. Like the common areas, the rooms feel rich, given the liberal use of materials like wood, lacquer, and leather, and the plush beds are dressed in cotton linens. Regular rooms range from 215 square feet (20 square meters) to 323 square feet (30 square meters), so some are compact. Some closets are a bit small. Suites range from 430 square feet (40 square meters) to 484 square feet (45 square meters) in size. All 65 rooms come with minibars, Nespresso machines, electric kettles for instant tea, free Wi-Fi, and 40-inch flat-screen TVs. Each suite has a lounge area, some with a sofa bed. Some rooms have private balconies or terraces, and some have ocean views. A few rooms have small porthole-style windows that prevent a good view. Bathrooms have a stylish look, and feature hairdryers, bathrobes and slippers, and premium bath products. Unfortunately, some rooms only have walk-in showers. All rooms and public spaces at the hotel are non-smoking. 

Le Regina offers an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the ocean from its deck, which gets good direct sun. At a little over 10 meters in length the pool is a little small. The spa features a Japanese spa ritual and Siberian ginseng treatment. It also has a hammam steam room. The fitness center is as compact as much of the rest of this hotel, but includes a stair-stepper, treadmill, recumbent bike, weight machines, and free weights. An 18-hole golf course (use for a fee) is adjacent to the hotel, and Le Regina provides a free shuttle to the course. The good-quality breakfast buffet has a wide variety of hot and cold items, though isn't included in room rates. Otherwise, the restaurant serves inventive Mediterranean cuisine, with seasonal menus, under the direction of a chef with three Michelin stars. Outdoor dining overlooking the ocean is available in good weather. The lobby-level cafe and bar serves a continental breakfast, lunch, an afternoon tea, happy hour, and evening cocktails. Room service is available. Le Regina also offers meeting rooms, concierge service, and free parking. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.