This historical beach hotel was formerly La Villa Eugenie, the summer residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. The Emperor romantically had it built in 1855 for his spouse, who had adored Biarritz since her childhood. La Villa Eugenie became a hotel in 1893, and has hosted royalty, celebrities and generations of families ever since. Its luxurious decor remains faithful to the Second Empire and the antiques are lovingly restored by the hotel's craftsmen. This hotel offers breathtaking views and comprises a total of 153 rooms over 5 floors. Facilities on offer to guests at this air-conditioned establishment include a lobby area with a 24-hour reception and 24-hour check-in/check out service, a hotel safe, a currency exchange facility, a cloakroom, a lift, a bar, a pub and a restaurant. It also offers conference facilities and WLAN/Internet access. Guests may also take advantage of the room service and there is parking for those arriving by car. Younger guests will enjoy the children's playground and there are bicycles to hire at the hotel.
Location
This is a grand resort overlooking Biarritz' main beach, La Grand Plage. Many monuments and natural wonders can be visited in the city and in the surrounding area, such as the Rock of the Virgin, the sea museum, the lighthouse, the fishermen's harbour and La Cote Des Basques. Guests will find a disco, links to the public transport network and a casino all within 500 m of the hotel. San Sebastian is 30 km away and it is 90 km to the ski region. Biarritz Airport is only 4 km away.
Rooms
The rooms are artistically and uniquely decorated, combining all modern artefacts with comfortable grand Second Empire style. Queen-size, king-size and twin bed accommodation is available. Most rooms connect with other guest rooms or even suites. All rooms feature an ample separate dressing room, a private bathroom with shower/bathtub, an LCD flat screen TV set, ADSL Internet connection, Interactive TV with satellite channels, a minibar and plush bathrobes and slippers. Furthermore, a hairdryer, a direct dial telephone, a radio, centrally regulated air conditioning, heating, a safe and either a balcony or a terrace are provided in all accommodation as standard.
Sport
The hotel features 2 pools, 1 outdoor heated saltwater pool with sun loungers and parasols and 1 indoor pool with spa pool in the Imperial Spa by Guerlain. The spa, first opened in 2006, offers 5 storeys of pure relaxation and well-being, with a floor dedicated to fitness, another to soothing or reviving treatments such as massages, steam rooms, saunas and facials or balneotherapy, and yet another dedicated to full hair care with the magical Eléonor Greyl products. There is also a pitch and putt green on the hotel grounds as well as a children's playground area, complete with paddling pool. It is also possible to enjoy surfing, table tennis aerobics or a work-out in the gym. The nearest golf course is only 700 m away.
Meals
Guests have a choice of 3 restaurants: La Villa Eugénie with fine dining and 1-star Michelin rated restaurant; La Rotonde, a panoramic restaurant with local gastronomy enhanced by splendid ocean views and L'Hippocampe, the summer restaurant by the pool, serving lavish buffets inspired by the ocean and the Basque countryside.
Payment
American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard and VISA are accepted at this hotel.