2, rue Guy Petit, 64200 Biarritz

Hôtel Jules Verne Biarritz

Name: Hôtel Jules Verne Biarritz
Address: 2, rue Guy Petit, Biarritz, 64200, FR
Rating: 4.2

Hotel 4-star with pool and spa in Biarritz

Presentation

Reopened in summer 2021 after a complete renovation, Hôtel Jules Verne Biarritz is located on rue Guy Petit, right next to the Asiatica Museum and just steps from Gare du Midi. Les Halles can be reached in about a 10-minute walk. Grande Plage is not much farther.

Jules Verne is present from the moment you walk in. Opening the door, you come across a library of around 500 books devoted to the writer, in several languages, with children’s editions for younger guests and plenty to learn more about the world’s most translated French author. You linger there. Often longer than expected.

From 6:30 a.m., the breakfast buffet begins to take shape. The pastries are baked on-site, the cakes and pancakes are homemade, and grilled ventrèche bacon awaits alongside scrambled eggs. A piece of Ossau-Iraty cheese, a slice of Basque cake, and the day gets off to a good start. Tea is served loose-leaf, in real teapots, and guests avoiding gluten or lactose will find suitable options. You can linger until 10:30 a.m.

As you head up through the floors, the decor changes course. Each level follows its own thread from the author’s work—sea voyages, unusual adventures, and great geographical explorations—and every room is named after a novel or a character. Interior designer Aleth Prime drew on Hetzel book covers for the headboards, added the writer’s signature to the bed linens, and gave the bathroom mirrors a Nautilus-like feel. A hot-air balloon, Robur’s Albatross, and a globe appear throughout the window decals. A paperback based on a Verne adventure awaits in the room.

Classic rooms measure 14 m² and storage space is limited. You travel light here, a little like Phileas Fogg with his overnight bag, and enjoy high-end bedding, air conditioning, and soundproofing that guests are quick to praise. Executive rooms add an espresso machine and a minibar. For families, connecting rooms link two spaces, while at the very top, on the fourth floor, the Paul Verne apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, and a 25 m² terrace overlooking the city.

On the ground floor, the garden features a 12-by-6-meter pool, heated to 27 °C and open from April through October, weather permitting. Towels are provided. In July and August, La Cabane de Jules serves cocktails, local drinks, and light snacks by the pool. On high-summer afternoons, the lounge chairs are quickly taken. In the morning, or at the end of the day when returning from the beach, you will often have the water almost to yourself.

For fitness, the workout room has the decor of a Belle Époque seaside resort. You can row on wood, with WaterRower machines using water resistance, and a balance board that plays with the movement of water lets you work on your footing before heading out to catch the waves. Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., free of charge, by time-slot reservation.

In the evening, everything converges on the Nautilus room, where Jules’s bar serves from noon to midnight. You can order a beer, a glass of wine, or a Cola Euskola with a charcuterie or cheese board, while Izarra serves as an after-dinner drink. From Tuesday through Friday, the overnight stay package sends guests out to dinner at two partner restaurants, Bistrot Zingué and Bimbo. The front desk also has its own recommendations to share. In the afternoon, a coworking space even welcomes those not staying here, with the purchase of a drink. Pets are welcome (€15 per night).

And if you arrive by car on an August weekend, call the day before: the underground parking garage can only be reserved by phone.

Summary of a few positive reviews read online

Complimentary infused water and small pastries at the front desk. Smiling team members who took the time to advise us on what to see in town.
Varied breakfast with local products, Basque charcuterie, and pastries baked on-site. Tea is served loose-leaf, in real teapots.
Clean room and comfortable bedding. Very well soundproofed, peaceful nights.
All of Biarritz can be explored on foot. About 8 minutes to reach Les Halles and downtown.
Clean, well-exposed pool, with towels provided. A small bar next door for a drink by the pool.
Private underground parking, very convenient when traveling by car. Airport very close by, around 12 euros by taxi.