Hotel Mercure Président Biarritz Plage (Biarritz, France)

The city-centre location of this hotel gets rave reviews from travellers, who love the stylish shops and eateries in the locale and the five-minute walk to the beach. Nearby bus stops for the train station, airport and several popular destinations outside of Biarritz made non-drivers lives infinitely easier.

Inspired by Pop Art, the design of public areas and guestrooms is a huge hit with reviewers. Guests love the space-age sofas, brightly-coloured carpets and other retro touches, all of which combine to create a contemporary ambience with a handful of funk thrown in.

The daily breakfast buffet at this hotel isn't free but is always well-received by guests, who regularly comment on the smiling and helpful waitresses as well as the array of hot and cold items available and their appetite-arousing presentation in the finely decorated breakfasting room.

Though many guests testify to having slept extremely well during their stay, a similar number complain about the small size of double and twin beds and also poor quality mattresses, which are described by several as thin, uneven and uncomfortable, with unattractive plastic covers.

Despite thick double-glazed windows in rooms, several reviewers who stayed in street-facing rooms on the lower levels of this high-rise hotel complained about noise originating from two lively, late-night bars with street terraces in the neighbourhood. Singing, fighting and police cars attending were the soundtrack to some stays.

With no leisure or dining facilities onsite, many guests say this hotel is best for business travellers. Despite the wide selection of bars and eateries in the surrounding streets, reviewers overwhelmingly agree that a comfy lounge or coffee bar would make for a more memorable stay.