Hotel de Silhouette

Hotel de Silhouette in Biarritz, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise from guests for its intimate atmosphere, excellent service, and prime location. Housed in a beautifully renovated 17th-century building, formerly the residence of Etienne de Silhouette, a finance minister to King Louis XV, the hotel seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary design.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Hotel de Silhouette is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional" and "wonderful." Review scores are high across various platforms, indicating strong guest satisfaction in areas like location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff performance.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects that make Hotel de Silhouette stand out:

• Exceptional Location: Situated in the lively Halles district, the hotel is within easy walking distance of Biarritz's beaches, markets, and dining options.
• Beautiful Design & Ambiance: The hotel is noted for its Beaux Arts architecture and bright, contemporary interiors, which incorporate rich earthy tones like tobacco brown, rust red, and terracotta. The décor, designed by Alicia Martin, creates a warm and intimate setting.
• Charming Garden: A lush, tranquil private garden at the rear of the property provides an idyllic escape for relaxation and al fresco dining.
• Outstanding Service: The staff repeatedly receives accolades for being friendly, helpful, accommodating, and attentive.

3. Room Quality

Hotel de Silhouette offers 21 rooms and suites in the main building, with an additional 6 spacious, high-tech suites in the nearby "Maison Silhouette" annex, which opened in June 2025.

• Comfort & Amenities: Rooms are described as comfortable and well-equipped, featuring premium bedding, blackout drapes, air conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms include rainfall showers or bathtubs, with plush bathrobes and toiletries provided. Soundproofing ensures a peaceful night's sleep.
• Design: The rooms are thoughtfully curated with refined style, continuing the hotel's rich color palette and often featuring wallpapers depicting leafy palms, echoing the garden outside.
• Variety & Views: Room types range from Standard to Superior, Deluxe, and Junior Suites. Larger rooms may include balconies, and those on higher floors can offer ocean views. Maison Silhouette suites are ideal for families or longer stays, offering kitchenettes for added autonomy.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's "Restaurant Jardin" serves French and regional cuisine, with options for al fresco and garden-view dining.

• Breakfast: A buffet breakfast is available daily, with brunch offered on weekends. While the breakfast selection includes fresh bread, pastries, jams, cereals, yogurts, fruits, and juices, some guests find it to be "ridiculously overpriced."
• Lunch & Dinner: Lunch is served daily, and during the summer months (July & August), dinner with jazz music can be enjoyed on the sunlit terrace, featuring fresh seasonal produce. The restaurant staff is noted as very nice.
• Bar: An on-site bar offers a curated local wine list, cocktails, beers, and spirits in a stylish setting.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel de Silhouette is a consistent highlight, with numerous guests praising the hospitality. The staff is frequently described as "fantastic," "friendly," "helpful," "accommodating," and "responsive." They are available at a 24-hour reception and are known for being attentive without being overpowering.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" central location in Biarritz's Halles district.

• Nearby Attractions: It's approximately 300 meters (984 feet) from the beaches and within walking distance of local markets, dining, Aquarium de Biarritz, Port des Pecheurs, and Casino Barriere.
• Transport: A free city bus stops directly outside the hotel every 10 minutes. Biarritz train station and airport are about 5 km (3.1 miles) away.
• Parking: Private parking is available on-site, but requires reservation and costs €25 per day (€30 with EV charging).

7. Value & Pricing

While precise pricing fluctuates, a standard room can range from approximately $140 to $330 per night, with September noted as the most expensive month and February the cheapest. Guests generally consider the hotel to be worth the cost, given its luxurious offerings, prime location, and high level of service. However, the breakfast is commonly cited as overpriced.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, two recurring issues are occasionally mentioned:

• Overpriced Breakfast: Several guests have noted that the buffet breakfast, while good, is excessively expensive for what is offered.
• No Elevators in Main Building: The main hotel building, a renovated 17th-century structure, does not have elevators, which could be an inconvenience for guests with mobility issues. The Maison Silhouette annex also does not have an elevator.

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