Radisson Blu Hotel Biarritz ★★★★

At first glance the Radisson Blu Biarritz may look like any other modern four-star hotel, but its location overlooking the Bay of Biscay and surrounded by hazy mountain views, more than makes up for it.

Glossy and modern, the hotel is full of clean lines and contemporary designs. Rooms are fresh and light, with bright splashes of plum and rose colours, and large windows which frame stunning sea or city views. Their contemporary design also incorporates all the latest in technology – free Wi-Fi and individual climate control, as well as added extras such as ironing boards, trousers presses and comfy bathrobes and slippers.

The hotel has two restaurants and two bars – the Transat Restaurant and the Transat Sky Bar and the Onyx Restaurant and Onyx Bar. The Transat hosts fun outdoor dining and barbecues up on the hotel’s rooftop during the summer season. Here with views of the sea, guests can dine on a selection of Basque-inspired dishes, as well as fresh seafood dishes and delicious vegetarian creations. The Sky Bar, also located on the rooftop, is set around the hotel’s outdoor pool and is the ideal place for an afternoon drink, basking in the shade or an evening cocktail with romantic twinkly views to match.

Headed up by chef Nicholas Garbay, the Onyx Restaurant serves up international classics and traditional Basque cuisine in a swanky environment. During the day, the restaurant doubles up as a breakfast space, where a huge buffet features an array of locals cheeses, hams, yoghurts, cereals, freshly baked pastries and a variety of teas and coffees. The stylish yet casual Onyx Bar on the other hand is the perfect place to refuel in the afternoon with a coffee and a slice of cake. It also has a large screen TV so you can catch your favourite sports match, as well as a selection of beers, spirits, wines and tapas.

During the day, spend your time walking around the charming streets of Biarritz with their remnants of Art Deco styles and the golden age of the Belle Epoque. Make sure to walk past the Hôtel du Palais, which was built for Napoléon’s wife, the Empress Eugénie – it’s quite a sight to behold. There are also a number of excellent museums to browse including the Museum of the Sea, The Museum of Oriental Asian Art and the Planète Musée du Chocolat – a chocolate museum.

Return to the Raddisson Blu for afternoon indulging in one of Biarritz’s other loves – spas and wellness. Cleanse and unwind in the refreshing seaside spa, which comprises a sauna and hammam. The centre also specialises in facials, exfoliations, wraps, massages and beauty treatments, using high quality marine-based cosmetics.

The hotel’s pièce de résistance though is its rooftop pool, offering spectacular views of the cerulean waves of the Bay of Biscay. Surrounded by deck chairs and large-scale images of mountain vistas, it induces a sense of serene tranquillity. The best part about it is that it’s heated too, so that even in winter with views of the snow-capped peaks around, you can feel toasty and warm. As well as swimming there are a number of activities off-site, which the hotel will be more than happy to organise for you. These include scuba diving, trying your hand at surfing, horse riding along the coastal trails or playing a round of golf. And for those less active among you, there’s also the town’s glitzy Art Deco-style Barrière Casino located nearby.

If you’re travelling with the little ones, you’ll also find plenty to entertain them too as the hotel has its own games room filled with board games, books, TVs and Wii consoles.

If you want reliable quality, luxury and staff who go out of their way help, this the place for you.