HÔTEL DU PALAIS BIARRITZ
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
An Icon of glamour and hospitality on the French Basque coast
A BRIEF HISTORY: FROM VILLA EUGÉNIE TO HÔTEL DU PALAIS IN BIARRITZ
This five-star hotel, which today stands majestically on the French coast as one of Southern Europe’s most glamorous addresses, was once the summer residence of Empress Eugénie de Montijo and Napoleon III during the Second French Empire. The nephew of Napoléon Bonaparte,
Napoleon III served first as President of the Republic and later as Emperor of France. His wife, Eugénie de Montijo, of Spanish origin, was the daughter of a grandee of Spain. Born in Granada, she often spent her holidays in Biarritz. In 1854, following a visit to the French Basque coast,
the imperial couple decided to make Biarritz their summer retreat and built a villa, “Villa Eugénie”, in honour of its owner.
A HOTEL BUILT IN TRIBUTE TO EMPRESS EUGÉNIE DE MONTIJO
At the time, Biarritz became the gathering place for Europe’s crowned heads and the international financial and social elite, including the Dukes of Windsor, Isabel de España, Léopold II of Belgium, the King of Württemberg, and even Edward VII, all drawn by sea bathing, sumptuous balls, fireworks and picnics. In 1882, Villa Eugénie was sold and converted into a Hôtel-Casino, before becoming the Hôtel du Palais ten years later. In 1903, a fire broke out in the attic and almost completely destroyed it. In September of that same year, a casino-owning company purchased the ruins and rebuilt a hotel in an E-shaped design as a tribute to Empress Eugénie.
A RESIDENCE FOR NOBLES, ARISTOCRATS AND ILLUSTRIOUS FIGURES
The hotel placed Biarritz firmly on the international map, becoming the preferred address for European aristocracy and even Russian exiles living in France, as well as the ideal venue for hosting lavish, majestic celebrations. It was also chosen as a summer residence by celebrated names in history such as Coco Chanel, Víctor Hugo, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, Gary Cooper and Barbra Streisand, alongside royalty, celebrities and politicians. It is the only French Palace on the Atlantic coast.
In the years that followed, the property underwent numerous renovations, including work carried out from autumn 2018 by the French interior design studio Atelier COS and Isabelle Joly, an architect specialising in historic buildings. Even so, Du Palais has always preserved its essence and its furnishings, which today form part of the hotel’s living history. It offers 86 rooms and 56 Suites, as well as the Royal Suite, measuring 102 square metres. The room dedicated to Empress Elisabeth
of Austria, Isabel de Baviera, and Franz Joseph is among the hotel’s most spectacular, with historic details that have endured through time.
The Imperial Salon spans 300 square metres and is complemented by the Jardin d’Hiver of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie de Montijo, as well as a ballroom adorned with paintings by Paul Gervais. Two centuries on, the hotel continues this festive and romantic tradition.
A GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE WITH ATLANTIC OCEAN VIEWS: LA ROTONDE, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANTS
The hotel’s culinary offering is overseen by Executive Chef Christophe Scheller, a Parisian chef with a distinguished heritage in France. He began his career at the Hôtel Royal Monceau in Paris and, a few years later, became Sous-Chef at the restaurant Arôme. He also worked with Thiery Marx on the opening of the Mandarín Oriental in Paris. In 2013, Scheller joined Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme de la Paix. He won the Good Taste Series, an international gastronomy competition held at the Hyatt Hotel, and has led teams of more than 50 people at Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile.
La Rotonda is considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, with sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean. Its cuisine features gourmet delicacies and pairs classic French gastronomic tradition with regional produce, meat and fish, alongside an exceptionally refined pastry offering by Chef Aleksandre Olivier.
Beneath its majestic chandeliers, Chef Christophe Scheller reinterprets classic dishes with audacity and precision. The exceptional wine cellar holds more than 1,000 selections, ensuring a unique and sophisticated experience. Le Bar Napoléon III, located in the former imperial office, is an experience in itself: blue-toned walls, gilded mouldings and a crystal chandelier create an intimate, welcoming ambience.
HÔTEL DU PALAIS BIARRITZ
1 Avenue de l’Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France
BRINDOS
Lac & Château
Between tradition and modernity
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THAT TRANSPORTS US TO ANOTHER ERA
Brindos, Lac & Château***** is a luxury boutique hotel located in the town of Anglet, on the French Basque coast, just a few kilometres from the centre of Biarritz. It enjoys an exceptional and emblematic setting within the region. The château has been meticulously restored, respecting its heritage character thanks to the extraordinary craftsmanship of local artisans. Brindos pays tribute to Basque history, gastronomy and lifestyle. Its décor has been renewed while preserving the original essence. The property features 29 rooms, 10 floating lodges, three dining venues and a spa.
A PLACE STEEPED IN GLAMOUR AND TRADITION
Brindos is one of the oldest residences in Labourd. In the 1930s, Sir Reginald Wright, a passionate admirer of the Basque Country, acquired Brindos and transformed it into a hub of constant celebrations, where elegance strolled across sunlit terraces dressed in Chanel, while the lake became the stage for all kinds of indulgences. At dusk, guests would glide across its waters, admiring the château from their boats.
Since 2000, owner Serge Blanco has sought to preserve the historical legacy of this mythical place while infusing it with modernity, elegance and comfort. This former international rugby player for Olympique de Biarritz is to thank for the château’s masterful renovation. Set amid lush greenery and surrounded by forests, facing a lake in which one can lose oneself, and boasting Moorish-inspired architecture, Brindos, Lac & Château is a haven of tranquillity in an authentic, iconic and understated setting. Twenty years later, it has been brought back to life.
ELEGANT AND UNEXPECTED: OUR INVITING ROOMS
Brindos, Lac & Château has restored this magical location to its former splendour. Every material, piece of furniture and accessory has been chosen to tell a story. The design draws inspiration from
the vastness and purity of water, as well as from Spanish Renaissance woodwork and antique furnishings.
The 29 rooms and their bathrooms have been entirely and meticulously renovated. As throughout the rest of the château, the original furniture (armchairs, sofas, woodwork) has been preserved—often restored—and enhanced with bold contemporary elements. Many of these pieces were sourced across France, some even before the renovation work began.
A LAKESIDE EXPERIENCE: STAYING IN ONE OF THE FLOATING LODGES
The lake takes centre stage with the installation of 10 floating lodges—independent rooms set on the water, accessible only by small electric boats. An incomparable experience on one of the largest private lakes in France, these sustainable spaces offer energy autonomy and all modern comforts. The colour palette echoes the surrounding nature: green, terracotta and white.
A WARM AND GENEROUS CULINARY OFFERING
A cuisine committed to local products and traditions—considered a heritage to be preserved and passed on—is a guiding principle across all the dining spaces at Brindos, Lac & Château.
The panoramic restaurant, with its 180° views over the lake and its welcoming atmosphere, offers a culinary immersion in the purest Basque tradition, subtly infused with creativity.
The menu features generous, must-try dishes: hand-carved Ibérico acorn-fed ham, terrines and pâtés en croûte… A fresh, seasonal cuisine that invites guests on a journey through a thousand flavours. Products are carefully selected from both France and Spain. The dessert menu showcases modernised classics: chocolate and citrus cake, various Basque cakes, seasonal fruit tart, mille-feuille, Paris-Bayonne cake… all served by the slice and designed for sharing. The signature dessert is the rum baba, served with a choice of filling and liqueur.
Throughout the day, gastronomy continues to be available on the lake pontoon, in the lounge, the bar or by the pool—making Brindos a must-visit destination in the Basque Country, whether for a celebration or a moment of intimacy.
Guests can explore the refined wine and spirits list of the Grand Salon, carefully curated by the sommelier, while enjoying a moment of relaxation by the fire and taking in the views through the picture windows, or discreetly from one of the balconies overlooking the central corridor—the art of seeing without being seen.
Le Salon also offers a tapas bar with a creative, playful and exotic cuisine inspired by reimagined regional classics: assorted dips to share with focaccia, corn hummus with yellow curry, platters of Ibérico charcuterie and Basque cheeses, baby squid and vegetables in tempura, Galician-style octopus, patatas bravas… Next comes Le Bar: a true Scottish-style bar with a contemporary touch, retaining all its original charm and offering an authentic cocktail menu in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Finally, La Piscine, facing the lake, focuses on healthy cuisine, including vegan and gluten-free options: gourmet salads, tartares and ceviches, vegetable mini-pizzas, local cheeses, Italian ice creams, freshly pressed vitamin-rich juices…
THE CHOCOLATE ATELIER
Here, chocolate is celebrated in all its forms and becomes a true spectacle, as it is prepared in front of the guests. At La Chocolaterie, guests can enjoy breakfast or brunch, and its doors are open year-round to both house guests and visitors.
The menu for sweet-toothed gourmets features locally sourced, artisan-made products: pastries, cakes, chocolate-dipped, biscuits, cookies, cold cuts, dairy products, smoked fish… At tea or coffee time, the famous frothy hot chocolate is an absolute must.
WELLNESS AREAS FOR A MAGICAL INTERLUDE
A spa and wellness space, designed in water-green and gold tones, now occupies what was once the seminar area inside the château. It also houses four private pools and a hammam with its own private double cabin. Most distinctive of all, however, is that the spa extends onto the lake itself, with two floating treatment cabins offering exclusive therapies in complete privacy, surrounded by nature and water.
At Brindos, Lac & Château, everything is designed for solo travellers, couples or families, with a wide range of bookable activities: guided meditation sessions, yoga classes for all tastes and levels, fitness walks around the lake, dance courses, or activities for parents and children, among others. A personal trainer can also be requested—in the room, in the studio, outdoors or even on the lake.
Brindos, Lac & Château
1 Allée du Château, 65600 Anglet
www.brindos-cotebasque.com
