Alcyon
About the Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel
- This 19th-century hotel is in the centre of Biarritz -- the "queen of the Basque coast" (The Daily Telegraph)
- The main beach & the seafront casino are both less than 5 minutes' walk
- The property is close to the Spanish border -- San Sebastián is a 35-minute drive & Bilbao is 1 hour 30 minutes away by car
- Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway & Frank Sinatra have all spent time in Biarritz
Overview
Designed by local architect Raymond Larrebat Tudor in the 19th century, Alcyon is a 15-room family-run hotel in the resort town of Biarritz, which is situated on the Bay of Biscay on France's Basque coast. The property is 400 metres from the city's Grande Plage and less than a 10-minute drive from Biarritz Airport.
Described by the Daily Mail as the "little French city with the big celebrity factor", Biarritz has welcomed many famous faces over the years including Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra, to name a few. The emperor Napoleon III built a palace for his wife Eugénie on the seafront -- you can learn more about the local history at the Musée Historique de Biarritz, a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
Although popular during summer for its warm weather and vibrant surf scene, Biarritz is very much "a year-round destination" (The Daily Telegraph), with a mild climate and plenty to do no matter what the season -- there is a tourist office a few minutes' walk from the hotel for sightseeing information.
Located in the centre, Alcyon is within easy reach of the city's many boutique shops and chic restaurants. It is also less than five minutes' walk from the seafront Casino Barrière and a 10-minute walk from the aquarium. For some spectacular scenery, you can take a 20-minute stroll along the coast to the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse and climb its 248 steps. From here, there is a panoramic view of Biarritz and the Basque hinterland.
Those looking to explore beyond the city can head to northern Spain, with the Spanish border close by. The "stunning" (Lonely Planet) coastal city of San Sebastián is a 35-minute drive, while the large port city of Bilbao -- home to the Guggenheim Museum -- is an hour and a half away by car.
There is a breakfast room and a small lounge area at the hotel. Bedrooms feature air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, black-out blinds and free Wi-Fi.