This Biarritz Bolthole is Hidden in a Converted Garage with Sweeping Sea Views

If you know Experimental Group, you’ll already have a sense of what to expect from Le Garage. The French group has a knack for taking storied buildings and reworking them with their signature touch—balancing clean, modern interiors with a strong sense of place.

Le Garage’s story is closely tied to its neighbor. Set above Miramar Beach, between the lighthouse and the former Hôtel Regina (now Regina Experimental), the building began as a carriage shed before becoming a private garage for Regina’s guests. Their cars were stored under tarpaulin while Biarritz played host to Belle Époque society. By 1912, it had evolved again, briefly housing the town’s aero club and linking it to the early days of aviation on the Basque coast. Mechanics worked here long after the war, servicing both cars and aircraft, until the building eventually fell into disrepair in the late 1960s. Reopening in 2021, the current design-led iteration stays true to these industrial roots while feeling fresh and contemporary.

Design is very much in Experimental Group territory. It’s light, bright, and clean-lined, with terrazzo, wood, and steel running throughout, softened by color and texture. Interiors by Agnès Guiot and Pauline Minsé lean into the building’s industrial past without feeling heavy. The open lobby acts as the center of the hotel—more a relaxed hangout than a formal reception—with a small shop of local products tucked behind the desk. You might want to take home a souvenir or two.

Rooms follow the same design-led approach as the rest of the property. Expect lots of clean lines with pops of pattern and color in the accessories. There’s a good range to choose from, from Cosy rooms to larger suites with separate living areas and terraces. Our room had a small terrace with a clear view of the lighthouse, which ended up being a perfect spot to rest our tired legs with a book after a day of tackling Biarritz’s rather hilly terrain. This also ended up being an ideal spot to take breakfast in the sun before another day exploring the Basque coastline.

Le Garage has an all-day menu of hotel classics and vibrant sharing plates with a Basque twist. The charcuterie features local cheeses and the famous Bayonne ham, which is from a nearby town and is some of the most lauded in the world. The pastas and burgers are solid, and if you can’t be bothered to walk down into town, you’ll enjoy a lovely couple of hours in the hotel’s lobby restaurant. It’s also open all day for drinks, and you’ll often find guests with a laptop and a glass of local kombucha in one of the cozy booths.

Breakfast is an extensive affair—and can be enjoyed in-room as well as in the restaurant, which is always a nice touch. While the menu might look small, it’s certainly mighty. Choose from The Champion, The Surfer, or The Sailor and enjoy a selection of hams, cheeses, eggs, pastry, and other local produce.

Amenities here are deliberately low-key. If you’re after a full schedule, this probably isn’t the place. But if the plan is to spend most of your time out on the Basque coast and come back somewhere calm, it works. The hotel can arrange surf lessons, and you’re a short walk from Golf de Biarritz Le Phare, one of the oldest courses in Europe. The coastline sits just below, so it’s really easy to pop to one of Biarritz or Anglet’s many beaches on foot (or Pony bike).

There’s also a heated pool, open from May to October, lined with bold, primary-colored loungers that add a slightly more playful edge. In peak summer, the pool and garden host brunches, drinks, and occasional DJ sets, and the atmosphere can shift from low-key to lively as the day goes on. It still feels relaxed, but worth knowing if you’re after something completely quiet.

 Le Garage sits a ten-minute walk from Biarritz city centre—up by Le Phare—the fully functioning lighthouse that marks the end of the headland. The small and charming kiosk Pavillon du Phare is a great spot to grab a sunset drink and watch the sun set over la Grande Plage. If you’re looking to stretch, Fiona of Rotate Pilates runs outdoor classes at Le Phare a few times a week for small groups looking for a workout with a view.

Biarritz is a foodie hotspot, and there’s always a new spot to check out. At the moment everyone’s talking about Seabird, a small plates and wine spot with a daily changing menu, and Hino, which serves coffee in the day and Pet Nat and pasta by night. For something more traditional, you can’t go wrong with Bar Jean or the charming Bistrot des Halles. Aside from eating, take time to explore the shops and boutiques in town, hit the surf, and spend some time at Les Halles, exploring all the vendors and trying some local Basque favorites (we recommend trying some Gâteau Basque and Ossau-Iraty cheese).

Location: 50 Av. de l’Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz, France

Vibe: Industrial-chic coastal retreat; relaxed, design-led, and neighbourhood-focused.

Rating: 4 Star

Room Count: 27 rooms and suites.

Pricing: Rooms start at approximately $220 (€200) depending on the season.

Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The private terraces with views of the lighthouse—the perfect, quiet vantage point for a morning coffee or a sunset read.

Dining: Hôtel Le Garage Biarritz: Basque-inspired sharing plates, local Bayonne ham, and craft kombucha).

Amenities: Heated outdoor pool (May–October), retro-styled lobby shop, and curated surf lesson arrangements.

Nearby Attractions: You are steps away from the historic Phare de Biarritz and the fairways of Golf de Biarritz. A short stroll takes you to the vibrant Halles de Biarritz market for local delicacies. For those looking to explore further, the medieval streets of Bayonne are just 15 minutes away, while a 45-minute drive across the Spanish border leads to the world-class pintxos bars of San Sebastián.

Airport: Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ) is a 10-minute drive; San Sebastián (EAS) is approximately 30 minutes away.