Spa and thalasso hotels in Biarritz

Beaumanoir is an old manor house in the Winter Park district of Biarritz, with a heated swimming pool that gives children a swim when the Atlantic is too rough. Some suites have a separate lounge, a real advantage when a family shares a room and parents want an evening apart. The Atlantic beaches are a short walk away. Pets are welcome. The Baroque decor and calm atmosphere suit families with older children better than those with toddlers.

Built for Empress Eugénie and set above the Grande Plage, the Hôtel du Palais is a landmark of Biarritz, and it also caters well to families. There are two pools, a children's playground on site, and air-conditioned rooms, some with a separate seating area that gives parents a little space. The spa and fitness centre are there for adults, and the restaurant serves contemporary French cuisine. Pets are welcome, and nearly 800 reviews average an outstanding 9.5.

For a family that wants Biarritz without the noise, La Maison du Lierre is a gentle choice. The beach is about 300 metres away, so mornings on the sand need no planning, and rooms look onto an interior courtyard rather than a busy street, which helps light sleepers and nap times. Parents can book time in the small spa, with sauna, massages and facial treatments. Its 9.2 score from 1,089 reviews is excellent for a three-star address.

Alfred Hotels Port-Vieux, formerly the George VI, reopened after a full renovation in 2024. Its address is the main argument for families: 50 metres from the beach and a two-minute walk from Les Halles market, so mornings on the sand and lunch in town need no car. Rooms are newly fitted out and the hotel puts its gourmet breakfast forward. A score of 9.2 from more than 1,200 reviews is remarkable for a three-star hotel.

I would pick Le Garage Biarritz Hôtel for families who want direct beach access. It stands on the beachfront, with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and family rooms are available. A restaurant serves European cuisine, and there is a bar and a fitness room. Yoga classes and walking tours are offered, and the hotel is pet-friendly.

Hotel de Silhouette sits in the Halles district of Biarritz, 300 metres from the beaches, so a family can walk to the sand and back without a car. A private garden with a terrace offers a quiet spot between outings, rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, and the reception is open around the clock. The restaurant serves regional cuisine, breakfast is a buffet and brunch is offered at weekends. A spa and thalasso offer completes a hotel rated 9.1 by guests.

Hôtel Le Café de Paris stands on Place Bellevue in central Biarritz, with rooms offering panoramic views over the sea, a memorable sight for children and parents alike. Les Halles market is a short walk away for picnic supplies, and the restaurant's outdoor terrace makes family meals easy. Bathrooms are finished in Italian ceramics, rooms have flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi is free. I would choose it for a seaside city stay where the view is part of the experience.

Château du Clair de Lune is a 19th-century manor house set in a large park about 5 km from the centre of Biarritz. Families can choose between rooms in the main house and in the former hunting lodge, where some rooms open onto private terraces overlooking the gardens. The park, planted with roses, magnolias and rhododendrons, leaves room for children to stroll, while the lounge and library suit quieter evenings. The on-site restaurant, Marius, avoids a drive back into town.

Ama Hôtel is a three-star in the centre of Biarritz, 200 metres from the beach and the casino, so a family can walk to the sand in a few minutes. A thalassotherapy centre is close by for parents who want a treatment. Rooms are air-conditioned, with free WiFi, a minibar and a flat-screen TV. There is no on-site parking, but public parking is available nearby. More than 700 reviews give it 8.8, a high score for its category.

Hotel Villa Koegui is a design hotel in central Biarritz, five minutes on foot from the beach and the covered market, with an underground car park a short walk away. Rooms are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Breakfast is a homemade buffet, a good start before a morning on the sand. In the evening, the lounge with its fireplace and the outdoor terrace give parents a quiet place to sit. Guests rate it 8.8.

Set on a cliff above Biarritz Bay, the Regina Experimental gives families ocean or golf course views from its 72 rooms, and I would book it for a family stay that mixes the sea and some golf. The large restaurant has an ocean-facing terrace, which makes meals with children easy, and parents can take turns at the spa. Pets are welcome too. The mix of neo-Basque and Art Deco styles gives the building real character.

Surf Club Hôtel by Akena is 300 metres from the Grande Plage, Biarritz's main beach, and close to the town centre, so a family can walk to the sand and to the shops. Rooms are air-conditioned, with wooden floors and free WiFi, and private parking is available, which helps in a town where spaces are scarce. Pets are accepted. There is no spa on site, but a spa and thalassotherapy centre is nearby. More than 1,600 reviews give this three-star 8.5.

Résidence Haguna gives families a full kitchen, with a dishwasher, fridge and microwave, plus a separate living area, so meals and quiet time with children are easy to organise. The beach is about 300 metres away and the apartments are in the centre of Biarritz. I would add the optional Comfort Formula, which brings beds made on arrival and mid-stay cleaning. A wellness centre with sauna and hammam is on site, and pets are accepted.