A rock in the ocean at Biarritz
A rock in the ocean at Biarritz · Photo Mathias Reding / Unsplash
Guide · France · Biarritz

Heated pool in Biarritz and on the Basque coast: swim without the shivers

A former imperial resort, Biarritz stretches between the Grande Plage, the Rocher de la Vierge and the Côte des Basques, with Anglet, Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz as neighbours. On this Atlantic coast, the weather changes quickly and the ocean stays cool for much of the year. Several hotels have a thalassotherapy centre with a heated seawater pool. The selection mixes a palace hotel, thalasso hotels and villas inland. I've selected 11 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Villa lumineuse, piscine chauffée près de Biarritz (4.98/5).

11places with a heated pool
8/10minimum guest rating
°C ?ask for the temperature

The places

Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.

Verification
Hot tub

11 places shown

Hôtel Maison Chiberta

Anglet, on the edge of the Chiberta golf course
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor pool4-star hotel
8.9/101,318 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool in the spa, children's pool and seasonal outdoor pool.

Reviews of the pool are negative: Kayak's summary gives it 3/10, with guests finding the outdoor pool in need of renovation.

Guide's tip. Come for the spa's indoor pool rather than the outdoor one.

Sources: Kayak

Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Boulevard Thiers, facing the beach
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor pool5-star hotelJacuzzi
8.9/101,512 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor seawater pool in the thalasso spa, with hot tub.

The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. No pool access for under-17s: worth knowing if you're coming with family.

Sources: Kayak, Staycation

Madison Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Saint-Jean-de-Luz
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyHeated indoor poolHotel (Handwritten Collection)Jacuzzi
9.6/10157 reviews · Staycation

The pool. Heated basement pool under stone vaults, next to a jacuzzi.

The hot tub. Jacuzzi next to the pool.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Indoor pool: a good option when the weather turns on the coast.

Sources: Staycation

Atlanthal

Anglet, Boulevard des Plages, on the beachfront
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyHeated seawater pool4-star thalasso hotel
8.5/101,382 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Heated indoor seawater pool at the thalasso centre, and a seasonal outdoor pool in the garden.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Guests cite the pool and spa among the highlights.

Guide's tip. In high season, book your thalasso treatments at the same time as your room.

Sources: Kayak, Staycation

Les Terrasses d'Atlanthal

Anglet, Boulevard des Plages
°C ?ask
Confirmed by guestsIndoor pool3-star hotelJacuzzi
8.4/101,214 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, with spa.

The hot tub. Hot tub on site.

Guests talk about a heated seawater pool, without giving the temperature.

Guide's tip. Next door to the Atlanthal: ask which of the thalasso pools you can use.

Sources: Kayak

Hôtel du Palais

Biarritz, Avenue de l'Impératrice, facing the Grande Plage
°C ?ask
Indoor poolIndoor pool5-star hotelJacuzzi
9.4/101,033 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Indoor pool at the Impérial Spa, outdoor pool facing the ocean, jacuzzi and sauna.

The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Some spa treatments are paid extras: ask what's included with the room.

Sources: Kayak

Novotel Resort & Spa Biarritz Anglet

Anglet, Avenue d'Espagne, 2.5 km from the beaches
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyApril to October4-star hotel
8.3/101,686 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Outdoor pool heated from April to October, with spa and sauna.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Handy for families; the beach is a few minutes away by car.

Sources: Kayak

Brindos, Lac & Château

Anglet, on the shore of Lac de Brindos
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyHeating period not specified5-star hotel (Relais & Châteaux)
9.3/10670 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Outdoor pool, described as heated in Kayak's review summary, and spa.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. Get the pool's heating and opening period confirmed.

Sources: Kayak

Le Talaia Hotel & Spa, MGallery

Biarritz, near the Côte des Basques
°C ?ask
Advertised onlyApril to October4-star hotel
9.1/102,427 reviews · Kayak

The pool. Heated rooftop pool with sea views, open from April to October.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. According to Kayak's summary, the rooftop pool closes during the cold months.

Guide's tip. Outside April to October, the rooftop pool is closed: come in spring or autumn to enjoy it.

Sources: Kayak, Staycation

Fancy hot water? The hot tubs

These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.

Villa sur le golf avec piscine et spa

Bassussarry, 10 minutes from Biarritz
Jacuzzihot water
Hot tub, no heated poolJacuzziVilla for rent · AirbnbJacuzzi
4.84/538 reviews · Airbnb

The hot tub. Pool, heating not advertised; spa (jacuzzi) available from October to May according to the listing.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.

Guide's tip. The spa is advertised for autumn and spring: ideal outside summer.

Thalazur Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Place Maurice-Ravel, near the beach
Jacuzzihot water
Hot tub, no heated poolJacuzzi4-star hotelJacuzzi
8.9/101,587 reviews · Kayak

The hot tub. Pool in the thalasso spa, type and heating not specified; two hot tubs.

I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Reviews rate the pool 5/10, often crowded.

Guide's tip. Go to the spa early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Sources: Kayak

Frequently asked questions

What is the best place to stay with a heated pool in Biarritz and on the Basque coast?

In my selection, the top-rated is Villa lumineuse, piscine chauffée près de Biarritz (Villa for rent · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (44 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Villa en bois vue mer, piscine chauffée (4.92/5) and Hôtel Maison Chiberta (8.9/10).

Is the pool heated all year round in Biarritz and on the Basque coast?

None of the places selected in Biarritz and on the Basque coast clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. At Novotel Resort & Spa Biarritz Anglet and Le Talaia Hotel & Spa, MGallery, heating is seasonal (april to october). Hôtel Maison Chiberta, Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa and Madison Saint-Jean-de-Luz have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.

What is the water temperature in Biarritz and on the Basque coast?

None of the places selected in Biarritz and on the Basque coast gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.

Is there a place to stay with a hot tub in Biarritz and on the Basque coast?

Yes: Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa, Madison Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hôtel du Palais also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Thalazur Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Villa sur le golf avec piscine et spa.

Can I rent a house with a private heated pool in Biarritz and on the Basque coast?

Yes, 2 villas and holiday homes are selected: Villa lumineuse, piscine chauffée près de Biarritz and Villa en bois vue mer, piscine chauffée. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.

How I check

The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.

Confirmed by guests

Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.

Confirmed by a reviewer

A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.

Advertised only

The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.

Indoor pool

Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.

Places I left out

I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.

PlaceWhat the sources sayRatingReason
Grand Tonic Hotel & Spa NuxeIndoor pool in the spa7,9/10Rating too low
Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar ThalassaThalasso seawater pool7,6/10Rating too low
Hôtel Jules VerneSeasonal outdoor pool, heating not stated8,4/10Heating not confirmed
Hotel Chantaco Golf & WellnessSeasonal outdoor pool, heating not stated8,7/10Heating not confirmed
Hotel IndarraSeasonal outdoor pool in Arbonne, heating not stated9,3/10Heating not confirmed
Les Frères IbarboureSeasonal outdoor pool in Bidart, heating not stated9,3/10Heating not confirmed
Azureva AngletPool6,8/10Rating too low

Sources: Kayak, Kayak, Kayak.

Do you own a place with a heated pool?

Get it listed in the guide: a listing in four languages and a direct link to your website, for commission-free bookings.

List my property →