"Sited on the Grande Plage and originally built as an imperial villa for Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, this Palace-classified seaside hotel blends restored 19th-century grandeur—period furniture, tapestries and an ornate restored chandelier—with modern luxury across 86 rooms and 56 suites. Culinary offerings draw on Basque and local maritime producers via a Michelin-starred menu (highlights include John Dory with lemon confit and periwinkles and cage-caught lobster roasted on pine needles), while leisure amenities include a heated outdoor pool with direct beach access, a multi-level Guerlain spa and on-demand surf lessons." - Mary Winston Nicklin, Lindsey Tramuta