HOTEL SAINT-JULIEN

Set a few blocks from the beach on a tree-lined block, the charming Hotel Saint-Julien feels like a throwback to another era. This guesthouse-style boutique occupies a traditional 19th-century house with an ivory stucco facade and wooden shutters painted deep red, and many of its original features remain, including pine flooring, marble fireplaces, and antique staircases. There’s a wonderful simplicity to the place — don’t expect a pool, gym, or spa, just a cozy dining room where a sumptuous Basque breakfast spread is laid out each day, and a colorful cocktail bar with open-air seating framed by citrus trees.

Rooms are quaint, with high ceilings and large windows that reveal views of the city’s red rooftops or the distant sea. Each is done up in a single color, like sage green, mustard yellow, or pale lavender, and the décor features vintage pieces and beachy details like wicker lamps and distressed wood side tables. The owners are well-connected in Biarritz and are eager to suggest spots to eat, drink, and shop in the neighborhood. And while they don't run a conventional restaurant on-site, Hotel Saint-Julien hosts a rotating calendar of visiting chefs in the summer - something like an artist-in-residence program, but for food - where guests can join locals in one of their favorite pastimes.