Facing the beach of Port-Vieux, one of Biarritz's historic coves where Queen Nathalie of Serbia used to swim at the end of the 19th century, the Hôtel de la Plage has undergone a facelift. The renovation, entrusted to interior designer Olivier Granet-Sottis, has swapped the modest 2-star hotel for a 4-star establishment decorated in a palette drawn from sand and foam - lime, rattan, driftwood - in a style that could be described as "Balearic in the Basque Country". The 20 rooms, dressed in soft colors in harmony with the ocean, are sized to enjoy the murmur of the tides rather than to impress. At the entrance, the boutique showcases local designers and craftsmen. But the highlight of the show is the rooftop: unobstructed views of the Virgin Rock, a carefully-crafted menu of dishes and cocktails - undoubtedly one of the best terraces in Biarritz.
