| Hyatt Hotel | Booking | Globalist Benefits | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hôtel du Palais Biarritz | Cash: $500-800/ night or 25-35K Hyatt points | Suite upgrades & free valet parking. | Location, heated indoor swimming pool, gym and breakfast. | None. |
Hotel du Palais is a 5-star palace hotel in Biarritz, France overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel was founded in 1854 and was the former imperial residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. This category 7 Hyatt hotel can be booked with 25-35K points depending on the season. Cash prices vary from $500-800 and this hotel represents a great value to redeem Hyatt points any time of the year. The nearest airport is Biarritz (BIQ) located less than 3 miles from the hotel, but San Sebastian airport (EAS) in Spain is another option which is around 22 miles away. Unless you are planning a trip to the Pyrenees National Park (2 hours drive) during your stay at this hotel, I recommend not getting a car since it is located in the heart of the town with shopping and dining within a short walking distance.
Award Booking Flights to Biarritz and San Sebastian
I used Flying Blue points to book a connecting flight from JFK to Biarritz (BIQ) via the Paris airport for 55K miles and $244 in taxes.
One can also use Iberia Avios to book a flight to San Sebastian and take a rental car or taxi to Biarritz for less points.
Hôtel du Palais Biarritz Check-in
I used Hyatt points to book 5 nights in a beach view room but the hotel recognized my Globalist status and upgraded us to the 700 square feet Ambassador Suite. Free breakfast and valet parking was included for being a Globalist, and using Hyatt points to pay for the stay.
The front entrance double gate has a a remote operated metal cylinder that automatically blocks the driveway until lowered by the guard. Once you enter the property, there is a large compound with a garden and space for valet parking. There is a large elevated deck with an outdoor swimming pool (not heated) with several lounge chairs and the ocean views are spectacular from there.
Once you enter the lobby, there is a large restaurant area with ocean views where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.
Indoor Swimming Pool and Gym
The hotel has a large heated indoor swimming pool and a fully equipped gym which we used every day during our stay.
Ambassador Suite
Ambassador suite (20 foot ceiling) is massive with a separate living room (with its own toilet) and a large bedroom with a king bed. The bathroom has a surprisingly small shower, two sinks, toilet and a nice bathtub. There are 4 large doors from the suite leading to a small balcony with spectacular ocean views. There was a welcome wine bottle with some fruits on the living room table.
Breakfast & Dining Options
We enjoyed a menu based breakfast (any style eggs, waffles) combined with buffet that included several fruits, breads and French pastries. Customer service was impeccable with matching ocean views from the table. There are a couple of restaurants inside the hotel but we walked into the town to experience authentic local dining. We found several nearby restaurants that featured Thai, Italian and Spanish cooking.
Nearby Scenic Hikes
We went for a few scenic day hikes as recommended by Alltrails.com in both Biarritz and Pyrenees National Park.
https://www.alltrails.com/france/pyrenees-atlantiques/biarritz
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/france/hautes-pyrenees/parc-national-des-pyrenees
Conclusion
Hotel du Palais is one of the most beautiful Hyatt brand operated hotels in the world and the only other hotel with a similar architecture I have come across was Grand Hotel Victoria in lake Como (SLH property). I encourage readers with Chase/Hyatt points to plan a stay at this beautiful hotel and experience the Basque country dining.