Hotel de l’Ocean – Biarritz

The Hotel de l’Ocean’s owners were searching for a spot for an interior design shop when they saw potential in this traditional building on the seafront. Over time, they've carefully renovated the interiors to create a quaint and charming little boutique hotel. The overall vibe is relaxed, although the lobby, with its comfy leather sofas, hurricane lamps, and eclectic artwork, has a homey French feel that’s quite different from the nautically-inspired rooms. Outside, the charming Place Sainte Eugenie adds to the hotel’s appeal -- picturesque and relaxed in low season, and vibrantly characterful with the high season crowds. The hotel draws plenty of couples and a few families, most looking to avoid larger chain hotels and take advantage of the lovely location.

Location is key at the Hotel de l’Ocean. It fronts the pedestrianized Place Sainte Eugenie -- a charming little square above the old harbor that’s made up of restaurants, bars, and a neo-Gothic church. The square sits between the vast sweep of La Grande Plage and the tiny, sheltered cove of Plage du Port Vieux, close to the Casino Barriere and Bellevue Congress Center. These are all within a 10-minute walk, as are the Gare du Midi train station, Jardin Public, and city center. The Phare de Biarritz lighthouse can be reached in 10 minutes by car. Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is a 15-minute drive or bus journey away.

Simple, snug rooms are housed on two floors and have a French West Coast design -- think New England-style vibes, with lime-washed wood, Lexington linens, and coastal-inspired details. Reds, blues, and stripes feature heavily in the decor, as do nautical cushions and underwater-themed prints. Rooms are individually designed; they were slowly renovated one-by-one and reflect the owner’s inspiration at the time. Standard features include a TV, mini-fridge, and free W-Fi (except in Annexe Rooms), but rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Air-conditioning -- which isn’t available in all rooms -- works on a centralized basis. Bathrooms also vary from room-to-room, but most are tiny, black-tiled rooms with a walk-in shower. 

Rooms start at a French-tiny 140 square feet (13 square meters) and there are eight different categories. Entry-level rooms face the church and thus receive limited natural light. Courtyard Rooms have an outdoor area with tables and chairs where guests can have breakfast. Family Courtyard Rooms have two separate rooms separated by a sliding door. At the top end, Seaview Rooms are worth the upgrade for the beach-chic decor, extra space, and balcony with views out over the square to the sea. These rooms also have a shower/tub combo, but disappointingly, the shower isn’t fixed to the wall and needs to be hand-held. 

The hotel’s stand-out feature is its brasserie, Le Cafe de la Mer. It has a smart indoor seating area with a bar, and a lovely terrace out on the Place Sainte Eugenie. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at a fee. Breakfast is a choice of ‘express’ or continental buffets, though neither impress previous guests too much. Half board and full board options are available. Lunch and dinner menus feature hearty Basque specialties that include fresh seafood and produce from local markets, accompanied by local wine. There aren’t many other facilities. In the lobby, a computer offers more reliable internet than the free Wi-Fi. Reception and room service both operate 24 hours, and there’s a small elevator with space for two adults. In summer months, a free shuttle bus runs to Biarritz’s key sights. For parking, there’s a choice of discounted parking at the Vinci Public underground parking lot below the Place Sainte Eugenie, street parking (at a fee), or a free parking lot a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Despite these options, guests still comment on problems with finding a convenient spot in high season.