Look, I’m just going to say it. I had to Google this place before I booked the trip. Never heard of Biarritz, France in my life. Fifty seven countries in and this city was completely off my radar. A little humbling but here we are.
So I go down the Google rabbit hole and find out Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie basically used Biarritz as their personal getaway. Like this was their spot. And now I am going there too. Unplanned royalty behavior on my part.
Now you know I’m always going to keep it honest with you. There is this thing that happens to me sometimes in certain European cities where I look around and realize I might be the only Black person around for miles. Biarritz hit me with that feeling right at the start. I am just standing there soaking it all in thinking okay Paul, here we go. And then out of nowhere another Black person walks by. Just casually. Like they knew I needed that. We nodded at each other and kept moving. If you know, you know.
But listen, Biarritz is genuinely something special.
It is sitting right on the Atlantic Ocean and the vibe is full French Riviera without completely destroying your budget. Not the cheapest place, but nowhere near the most expensive either. That middle ground where you feel good about where you are without panicking every time you open your wallet.
The surf culture there is real. Boards everywhere, wetsuits hanging out to dry, people who look like they have life figured out in ways I have not. The ocean is gorgeous and you will find yourself just standing in front of it saying nothing for a while. That is not a bad thing at all.
I also went in nervous about the language because my French is honestly not great. That is the friendly way to put it. But most people I ran into spoke at least some English and were warm and patient about it. Nobody made me feel like I was being a problem. That goes a long way when you are navigating a new city solo.
Now here is the part I really need you to hear. You have to experience the Hotel du Palais. Napoleon actually lived there and the moment you walk in you will completely understand why. The bar is stunning, the ocean view restaurant is the kind of place that makes you feel like your whole life is going well, and the energy of the entire property is just on another level. Go visit it even if you are not staying there. Walk in, have a drink at the bar, soak it all in.
But if you can swing it financially or if you are sitting on a Hyatt rewards stash that needs a very good reason to exist, stay there. Just do it. Book the room, enjoy every single thing about it and do not feel guilty for one second. You deserve that experience and the Hotel du Palais will absolutely deliver.
You can check it out and start planning at www.hoteldupalais.com.
Biarritz was not on my list and now it is one of those places I find myself randomly bringing up in conversations. Go without overthinking it. You are going to love it.