Bordeaux. If you’ve ever even so much as browsed the wine aisle at a grocery store, you no doubt know of Bordeaux wine. Bordeaux is also a city and as we’ve {surprisingly} learned since we moved here more than two years ago, one that many people don’t even know exists.
We say surprisingly, but one thing we’ve come to learn about our adopted home is that Bordeaux is a place that until recently not many people paid much attention to. Bordeaux, though one of the world’s greatest wine regions, wasn’t much of a wine destination. The gates of most wine chateaux had remained firmly shuttered to the public for the longest time. With most of each year’s vintage being sold at auction long before it was even ready to be bottled, there wasn’t much reason to open the chateaux doors to the public for tours and tastings.
These days, though, Bordeaux is one of France’s new hot travel destinations. We’ve spent our time living in Bordeaux researching the city and beyond extensively. Planning your trip to Bordeaux? We’ve put together this guide to the best places to stay in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux sits on the Garonne River and the wine region is divided on the Left and Right Banks
Guide to Where to Stay in Bordeaux
We’ve rounded up the best places to stay in Bordeaux by area. Whether you decide to use the city of Bordeaux as your base to exploring the entire wine region, dream of waking up in a postcard perfect château surrounded by vines or head to one of France’s most beautiful beaches, our guide to where to stay in Bordeaux has you covered.
We’ve grouped our recommendations by area and you can use the links below to jump to our recommendations for that area.
Bordeaux Center is an excellent base to explore the entire Bordeaux wine region. The famous châteaux of Margaux are a mere 20 minute drive away, while those of the incredibly charming Saint-Émilion are a 40 minute drive. And the stunning Dune du Pyla, Europe’s tallest sand dune, is less than 1 hour drive.
With no shortage of Bordeaux hotels to choose from, you could spend hours pouring over all of the Bordeaux accommodation options. We’ve picked a selection of the best hotels in Bordeaux City Center to help narrow it down for your trip to Bordeaux.
Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotels sits prominently on Place de la Comédie
Place de la Comédie is one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful squares and the city radiates out from it. Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel (read the TripAdvisor reviews), or also iconically known as the Grand Hotel Bordeaux, holds a prominent spot on the square and is one of the best hotels in Bordeaux.
In the summer, Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel’s Urban Beach is one of just a few rooftop spots you can eat and drink at in the city. There’s also a spa and an indoor pool, making the hotel one of very few Bordeaux hotels with a pool. An onsite wine concierge who can help arrange excursions to some of the best wine châteaux in the region is another unique amenity offered.
The rooms are spacious, which can be tough to find right in the city center. And each room in the hotel is uniquely decorated.
There’s also two onsite restaurants, the Michelin starred Le Pressoir d’Argent and the ground level Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay, both of which we recommend.
Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel includes complimentary wifi. The hotel has parking available for a daily fee. Pets welcome.
Mama Shelter Bordeaux is funky and urban chic in the heart of the city
Mama Shelter Bordeaux
While the Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel is classic, Mama Shelter is the Bordeaux hotel that’s the polar opposite with fun and funky touches. The rooms are modern and colorful with cartoon masks meant to be Instagrammed. There’s also family rooms with two bedrooms to give the adults a little privacy once the kids go to bed.
Located on Place Saint-Christoly, Mama Shelter Bordeaux (read the TripAdvisor reviews) is in the heart of the city center just a few minutes walk from Place Pey Berland. In summer Mama Shelter also has a casual rooftop bar and restaurant.
Mama Shelter has recently implemented new cleaning measures, social distancing and a variety of measures to help guests feel safe and secure during your stay. They’re cutting down on high touch surfaces in the hotel with online check-in and check-out, restaurant and bar menus available via QR code, bluetooth room keys, an app for the tv remote via your own mobile phone and contactless payment options like ApplePay.
Mama Shelter Bordeaux includes complimentary wifi. Pets are not allowed.
Le Boutique Hotel has a secret garden with grape vines planted and a wine bar | Photo courtesy of Le Boutique Hotel
Le Boutique Hotel
Le Boutique Hotel is a 4-star luxury design hotel located steps from Place Gambetta. The hotel plays homage to the Bordeaux wine region with each of the 27 rooms named for Bordeaux’s most famous châteaux and there’s a wine bar in their secret garden, where you’ll find grape vines right in the heart of the city.
The hotel has a historic past, too. Once a mansion belonging to French nobility, the famous French writer Victor Hugo and other literary figures spent time here.
Each of the 27 rooms are decorated uniquely and there are even apartment style rooms complete with a kitchen perfect for families or those that like an apparthotel Bordeaux experience. Read Le Boutique Hotel’s TripAdvisor reviews.
Just across from the Jardin Public, Hôtel des Quinconces is a luxury boutique hotel housed in another of Bordeaux’s 19th century mansions. Each of the rooms is decorated in neutral tones and there are two uniquely decorated “exceptional” rooms.
Hôtel des Quinconces includes complimentary wifi. Private parking is available for a daily fee. Pets are not allowed.
Hotel de Sèze is located on Allées de Tourny in Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle
Hotel de Sèze Bordeaux
Once upon a time the British ruled Bordeaux. When France regained Bordeaux in the 1450s, King Charles VII ordered a mighty fortress called Château Trompette to be built to protect Bordeaux from opportunistic invaders. Château Trompette sat stretching on a space from the Garonne to where the Monument aux Girondins stands today, with its western boundary the Place de la Bourse.
The fortress eventually lost its purpose and King Louis XVIII ordered its destruction in 1816. It was during this time that Quinconces and Allées de Tourny were built, along with the three historic buildings that make up Hotel de Sèze Bordeaux. History buffs might even be intrigued to know that the fourth floor of the hotel has some trap doors where Jews hid during WWII.
Hotel de Sèze Bordeaux (read the TripAdvisor reviews) has been operating as a hotel since 1927 and has been a landmark of Bordeaux for more than 90 years now. The rooms of the 4-star boutique hotel have been updated over the years and they offer a modern and refined elegance.
There’s also the Spa de Sèze with private steam rooms, sauna, jacuzzi, sensory shower experience and a variety of body treatments available.
Le Comptoir de Sèze offers a Sunday brunch, a jazz dinner concert on the first and third Thursday each month and a daily afternoon tea service.
And if you enjoy golf, Hotel de Sèze has a six-hole golf course exclusively for guests just a 10-minute drive away.
Hotel de Sèze includes complimentary wifi. There is a public parking garage nearby and reservation isn’t needed. Pets welcome.
Sunset in Château Kirwan’s vines
Bordeaux Chateaux Hotels on the Left Bank
Bordeaux’s Left Bank consists of the Bordeaux appellations of Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Haut Medoc and Pessac Leognan appellations. All of Bordeaux’s 1855 classified wines come from the Left Bank and some of the most famous names in wine like Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild are located here.
Margaux and Pessac Leognan are located closest to Bordeaux, each around a 20 minute drive. These villages are small and, while beautiful with the Disney-esque châteaux, there’s not much to do beyond visits at the various châteaux. But if you want a quieter country stay surrounded by vineyards or have ever dreamed of sleeping in a châteaux, there are a variety to choose from.
One of five guest rooms at Chateau Pape Clement
Château Pape Clement, Pessac
Château Pape Clement isn’t just a one of Bordeaux’s Grand Cru Classé wines. The château, owned by wine magnate Bernard Magrez, serves a boutique hotel with five uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with ensuite bathroom.
Wake up in the vineyards of the Graves appellation just 20 minutes from Bordeaux city center. Château Pape Clement (read the TripAdvisor reviews) is also connected with Bordeaux center by public transportation, making this quiet château stay a wonderful option for exploring both the city and the wine region.
It is best to have a rental car to be easily be able to explore Bordeaux’s various château from this location. Additionally, Château Pape Clement does not have an onsite restaurant though breakfast is available for an additional fee. The château does have a tapas bar on their terrace with a light menu of charcuterie and cheese, which is open from April through October.
Château La Tour Carnet is one of the oldest châteaux of the Médoc and it’s one of few châteaux that has a moat and a drawbridge. Parts of the château, which looks like a mini fortified castle, date back to the 11th century. Some resident black swans swim road the moat.
There’s just two rooms at Château La Tour Carnet, both unique and either of which will make you feel like you’re sleeping in the king’s bedroom at the Palace of Versailles. Both rooms have private ensuite bathrooms and staying in the little castle surrounded by the moat is a truly unique experience. Guests also have complete access to the château during your stay, which has an incredible collection of historic books, armour and art. Read Château La Tour Carnet’s TripAdvisor reviews.
Tour the cellar, castle and taste Château La Tour Carnet, an 1855 Grand Cru Classé, while you’re there. You can also inquire about a wine pairing dinner, though note that there is not an onsite restaurant at the château. Breakfast is included with stays at Château La Tour Carnet.
The château is around 1 hour drive from Bordeaux center and a rental car is best as there is no public transportation to the château. There’s a few villages nearby should you decide to go out for dinner and we recommend Café Lavinal 15 minutes drive away in Pauillac.
One of Bordeaux’s most unique Left Bank experiences is staying in a windmill converted in to a self-catering apartment with 360° views of the surrounding Margaux vineyards.
Before Margaux was home to some of Bordeaux’s most famous vineyards, this area was a farming area dotted with many windmills. There’s few that remain these days, but one sits on the family home of the owner of Château Kirwan, a third growth 1855 Grand Cru Classé estate.
Le Moulin de Margaux has charmingly been converted in a three-story apartment. The ground level has a kitchenette complete with oven, fridge, toaster, coffee maker and kettle. The first floor is a full bathroom and the bedroom is on the top level with panoramic views over the Margaux vineyards.
There’s a pool on the property, which the owners invite guests to use. A refreshing swim is a must during Bordeaux’s hot summers.
Note that this windmill is not suitable for children because of the winding stairs. A rental car is best for exploring from this Margaux destination. We recommend the restaurants Café Lavinal a 15 minute drive away in Pauillac, or Villabordoh a 10 minute drive away in Margaux.
Le Moulin de Margaux includes wifi and use of the pool. Free private parking on site. Aside from the windmill, there is also a self-catered apartment attached to the main house available for stays.
All the rooms at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey have vineyard views
Hotel & Restaurant Lalique at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey in the Sauternes appellation is one of the newest chateau hotels in Bordeaux and the very first on an 1855 First Growth estate. It’s owned by the oenophile Silvio Denz, who also owns the luxury French crystal and glass brand. Aside from being in our favorite part of Sauternes where you can bicycle to a number of beautiful Sauternes chateaux, Lalique tastefully makes its mark everywhere throughout this chateau converted to luxury boutique hotel.
The chateau itself looks like a mini castle with its tower and turrets. There’s 10 guest rooms and three suites, all decorated in relaxing neutral tones with bordeaux or green accents, which reflect colors you find in the Bordeaux vineyards. Every room has a vineyard view. Beautiful sitting areas beckon you from your room to enjoy the ambiance of the little castle. Read Hotel Lalique Château Lafaurie Peyraguey’s TripAdvisor reviews.
There’s also the onsite Lalique Restaurant, under the helm of chef Jérôme Schilling who was the former executive chef at the 2-Michelin star Villa René Lalique in Alsace. The restaurant earned its’ Michelin star in 2019 and the tasting menus are crafted to pair with the wines of the château.
Perfect if you’ve ever dreamed of renting your own French château surrounded by vineyards, Château Malescasse has four bedrooms and can accommodate up to eight guests. Amenities include a swimming pool perfect for cooling off on hot Bordeaux summer days, oenomatic wine machines so you always have wine on tap, a fully-equipped kitchen should you choose to cook, an entertainment room with games and a movie projector, and bicycles for biking down to the Gironde Estuary or around wine country.
Located in Lamarque in the Haut-Médoc, the château is in a stunning location. The banks of the Gironde Estuary are nearby, and you might like to take a cruise on the Estuary during your stay. Or take the car ferry across to visit the fortified Blaye Citadelle. Of course, Château Malescasse is a working wine producing estate. You can even learn to blend your own bottle of Bordeaux wine during your stay.
It’s a 2-night minimum stay when renting Château Malescasse, and it includes a French continental breakfast. A chef is available should you like to have lunch, dinner or a BBQ prepared for you at the château.
Chateau Malescasse includes wifi. Free private parking on site. Pets are not allowed. A 2-night minimum stay is required.
Grand Cru Classé and a view in Saint-Émilion
Bordeaux Chateaux Hotels on the Right Bank
Bordeaux’s Right Bank mainly consists of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, though there are many satellite appellations on this side of the river. Starting directly across from Bordeaux high up on the hill of Bouliac, there’s charming vineyards that spread out along the river and inland.
You’ll notice an architectural difference in the châteaux of the Right Bank, with many built of several buildings surrounding a central courtyard. Another difference is that the Right Bank has hills and even some terraced vineyard, where the Left Bank is entirely flat. With stays on both sides of the river, you’ll leave Bordeaux truly having gotten a full dose of her personality.
My room, Muscadella, courtesy of Chateau Prieure Marquet
Château Prieuré Marquet, Saint-Martin-du-Bois
Located between Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux, Château Prieuré Marquet was a château that had fallen in to decline. It was beautifully restored, the vines replanted and is now a five room luxury boutique hotel.
Each of the five rooms is named for a grape varietal and uniquely decorated and all look out to the vineyards. There’s the possibly for interconnected rooms, a perfect feature for families. There’s also a small kids room designed for the smallest of guests with three really cute beds and a play area along.
Château Prieuré Marquet also has a heated swimming pool, which can be enjoyed year round. Read the TripAdvisor reviews.
Like most of Bordeaux’s châteaux hotels, there’s no onsite restaurant. But you can reserve dinner, which is a home cooked meal prepared by the caretakers that we highly recommend. Otherwise, Saint-Émilion is about a 30 minute drive and Bordeaux is a 40 minute drive.
You’ll tour the château and have an opportunity to taste their wines during your stay, but there are other activities you can do on site like taking an off-road tour around the estate in a 1957 Willys Jeep.
Château Prieuré Marquet includes complimentary wifi and breakfast buffet. Free private parking is available on site. Pets are not allowed.
The rooms and suites have panoramic views over the Garonne and Bordeaux
Le Saint-James Bordeaux, Bouliac
Le Saint-James, located just across the river from Bordeaux in Bouliac, is more than just a luxury boutique hotel with a stunning view of the Garonne and Bordeaux’s skyline. The hotel is actually Bordeaux’s smallest vineyard that produces wine from their own grapes.
The minimalist designed rooms at Le Saint-James Bordeaux aren’t our favorite part of the hotel, but the onsite Michelin star restaurant, activities like cooking classes at the cooking school, the pool surrounded by vines and the views more than make up for the room design.
Le Saint-James (read the TripAdvisor reviews) also is one of few places in Bordeaux where the guests are invited to get involved with the harvest. The hotel hosts a harvest festival, invites guests to help harvest the grapes and puts on a big party to reward all that hard work. But don’t plan to get in a vat and stomp grapes with your feet a la I Love Lucy – that’s an activity reserved for Hollywood.
Le Saint James includes complimentary wifi. Free parking is available on site, but a reservation is required. Pets welcome.
The giant wine vats are real wine vats made by French barrel and vat maker Seguin Moreau
Coup 2 Foudres at Château Bonhoste, Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac
Located just a 15-minute drive from the center of Saint-Émilion, Château Bonhoste has one of the most unique accommodations in Bordeaux. The family-run château converted two giant wine vats by the French barrel and vat maker Seguin Moreau into two apparthotels right alongside their vines.
The two wine vats, called Coup 2 Foudres, are uniquely decorated. They each have a bedroom/sitting room with a double bed, sitting area with two chairs and a table, satellite television, wifi, a mini-fridge, Nespresso machine, tea kettle and all the utensils. There’s also a full bathroom with a shower. It’s perfect for couples to spend a unique and romantic night in the vineyards. Read the TripAdvisor reviews.
Breakfast is brought in a picnic basket at an agreed upon time and includes yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit and pastries along with grape juice from the château.
Coup 2 Foudres includes complimentary wifi and breakfast. Free parking is available on site. Pets are not allowed.
Looking out over the medieval town of Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion
Just 40 minutes from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is a charming medieval town with 2000 years of history. Even the Roman were making wine here once upon a time.
Most people visiting the Bordeaux wine region only stop in Saint-Émilion on day tours. The town itself is compact enough to walk in just a few hours, but the day trippers hardly ever dig in to Saint-Émilion’s secrets. The Monolithic Church with its underground catacombs is the largest of its kind in Europe. There’s a monastery that makes Bordeaux Crémant in its underground tunnels right inside Saint-Émilion’s fortifications. The towers provide jaw-dropping views to the vineyard covered hillsides beyond. And many famous wine châteaux are a stone’s throw from the town. All of that and more makes Saint-Émilion well worth more than a day trip.
Our recommendations for where to stay in Saint-Émilion are coming soon.
Dune du Pyla is Europe’s biggest sand dune
Bassin of Arcachon
The Bassin of Arcachon is undoubtedly one of our favorite places in France. It’s home to the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s largest sand dune. The Dune du Pilat is regularly regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Shaped a bit like a wine glass, the Bassin of Arcachon has so many kilometers of beach that finding your own private stretch is never a problem – even in the midst of summer. And the villages are dotted with oyster shacks and tiny restaurants run by the fisherman serving up freshly shucked oysters, shrimp and other seafood all sustainably fished locally.
Just an hour from Bordeaux center, the Bassin of Arcachon shouldn’t be missed during your stay in this world famous wine region.
Our private terrace and the dreamy view
Villa La Tosca, Lanton
The Victorian era Villa La Tosca (read the TripAdvisor reviews) is located in the village of Lanton, basically halfway around the bassin from the Dune du Pilat and Cap Ferret. The entire 8-bedroom villa can be rented and is a stunning location for a destination wedding. The individual rooms can also be booked as a boutique hotel stay.
There’s two suites. The L’eau Vive suite is the largest of the two, with stunning views and a balcony to enjoy looking out on the Bassin of Arcachon. The common areas include the living room where you might curl up with a good book or play a board game, a terrace with amenities like foosball and a full kitchen that guests are welcome to make use of to cook if they choose.
Breakfast is a French breakfast with pastries, fresh pressed orange juice, yogurt and fruit and you’re invited to enjoy it in the dining room or served in your room at your preferred time.
This article contains affiliate links. When you book on Booking.com or TripAdvisor through our affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim
Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.
Comments
Daniksays
Bordeaux is one of those cities which has escaped me when living and visiting france. The west is a grey area for me, one which is untouched and I need to go there. I love the looks of these hotels and given me some room for thought when I eventually get over there. Dune du Pilat looks like a place I need to visit also. I love wide beaches. Did you go into the sea? If so, was it cold with the strong ocean current of the Atlantic.
The Bassin of Arcachon is a bay, so the water doesn’t feel exceptionally cold. If you go to the Dune, that’s the open Atlantic so the water tends to be colder. But yes, we swim there regularly in summer.
Bordeaux city looks wonderful. I am a big fan of the wine region and I’d probably opt to stay in one of the wonderful chateaux or vineyards. Somewhere like Château Prieuré Marquet sounds perfect for me!
I always wanted to go to Bordeaux, but have not made it there so far. I love that there is such a variety of ambience so close together. I guess I would choose the bassin of arcachon or the Chateau Pepe Clement since I love seaside locations and always wanted to stay in a chateau 🙂
The stay options at Bordeaux looks grand! So much class! I loved those rooms. The room of the medieval Médoc castle seems like a scene from dreams. Loved the location of Le Saint-James too. Need to find out what the extent of dent will be on my pocket 😛 🙂
Bordeaux isn’t a super expensive destination to visit, like Paris is. The prices of luxury hotels can be quite good if you come on the shoulder season like in March or October and restaurant prices are affordable.
I have never been to Bordeaux, although I knew it existed I’ve not made it there yet. These are some incredible places to stay! Château Pape Clement looks amazing, and I would love to stay in a windmill that would be so cool!
The windmill is really unique! And you can’t beat that swimming pool there on a hot day. And even though the windmill doesn’t have air conditioning, I stayed on one of the hottest days this past summer and it wasn’t at all uncomfortable.
I’ve heard so much about the wines in Bordeaux and yes, I would love to visit it one day. All your suggested accommodations look great but if I have to choose, it would be the Château Prieuré Marquet. Love the heated pool and the views are fantastic!
A pool can be a bit hard to come by here in Bordeaux. And particularly in summer when it gets so hot, a pool can be really refreshing after a day out wine tasting.
I must have camped somewhere in the region, as I definitely hit up St. Emillion a few years ago. I love how you included that map with the pin drops of where to stay. Those Chateaus look amazing! I also love the style on display at Le Boutique Hotel. It’s a tough choice with so many great options.
I was in Bordeaux years ago before La Cité du Vin opened. I remember fondly the old streets and magnificent buildings and amazing Bordeaux wines all around. What a fantastic round up of places to stay. The windmill in Margaux has totally captured my attention. Mama Shelter looks like a cool and funky place as well.The Dune du Pilat looks quite amazing. So much beauty all around. And with good wines, you got the perfect combination.
I kept thinking that THIS is the hotel I’d want to stay at, then you went on to another fabulous one. I love old world grand hotels and the InterContinental sounds great for the location but the Hotel de Sèze sounds amazing for the history. And the chateau hotels. Oh, my gosh.
What gorgeous accommodations. I really like to stay in city center if at all possible because you can walk most places then. So, I would have to say that Le Boutique Hotel is the choice I would make. Plus, I love the intimate little tub space right in the middle of the room. That would make for a nice relaxing bath just before bed. I also love that they have a secret garden! So cozy sounding!
I just read your “where to stay in Bordeaux” article and the region looks wonderful, but I have a question for you. I just returned from a trip to Burgundy and we stayed in Beaune and absolutely loved it, and I’m trying to figure out where the Beaune is of Bordeaux. A cute picturesque town, a little smaller, but filled with local clothing shops, boulangeries, patisseries, wine shops, restaurants, sights, etcetera. We were also just in Switzerland and it would be the Thun of the alps region as opposed to Interlaken. Or the Hanalei of Hawaii as opposed to Kaanapali.
We’ve also been to Beaune. Burgundy is definitely a lot different than Bordeaux.
You might like Saint-Émilion, which is a medieval village. But it’s much smaller than Beaune. Mostly the shops in the village are wine merchants, but there are a few other kinds of shops. There are no chain store brands in Saint-Émilion. The restaurants and patisseries are limited though since it’s really not a very big village. But you would have enough choice for 2-3 days of meals.
Thank you Jennifer for your great work as I find your article very informative. Will be in Paris in April looking to do a two day side trip to Bordeaux for the first time. I’m especially excited as I just passed the Level 1 of the CMS exam! Could you guide me to whom you’d recommend to craft two days of wine tasting to cover a sample of right and left bank regions?
Congratulations on passing your Level 1 CMS exam! A trip to France is an excellent way to celebrate that!
We actually encourage independently visiting châteaux. You can spend one day in Saint-Émilion and the other in the Medoc. There are many companies offering various tours, but the reason we encourage independent visits is that the tours offer the classic châteaux visit in small to large groups depending on the company you choose. Many châteaux are doing far more interesting and engaging visits than just the classic these days. You also get your own private visit, which gives you much more opportunity to ask questions and really engage. Have you seen our guide to the most unique châteaux experiences? It sounds like you’d really enjoy some of them. https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/best-wineries-in-bordeaux/
Danik says
Bordeaux is one of those cities which has escaped me when living and visiting france. The west is a grey area for me, one which is untouched and I need to go there. I love the looks of these hotels and given me some room for thought when I eventually get over there. Dune du Pilat looks like a place I need to visit also. I love wide beaches. Did you go into the sea? If so, was it cold with the strong ocean current of the Atlantic.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The Bassin of Arcachon is a bay, so the water doesn’t feel exceptionally cold. If you go to the Dune, that’s the open Atlantic so the water tends to be colder. But yes, we swim there regularly in summer.
Fiona Maclean says
Bordeaux city looks wonderful. I am a big fan of the wine region and I’d probably opt to stay in one of the wonderful chateaux or vineyards. Somewhere like Château Prieuré Marquet sounds perfect for me!
Eva says
I always wanted to go to Bordeaux, but have not made it there so far. I love that there is such a variety of ambience so close together. I guess I would choose the bassin of arcachon or the Chateau Pepe Clement since I love seaside locations and always wanted to stay in a chateau 🙂
Indrani says
The stay options at Bordeaux looks grand! So much class! I loved those rooms. The room of the medieval Médoc castle seems like a scene from dreams. Loved the location of Le Saint-James too. Need to find out what the extent of dent will be on my pocket 😛 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Bordeaux isn’t a super expensive destination to visit, like Paris is. The prices of luxury hotels can be quite good if you come on the shoulder season like in March or October and restaurant prices are affordable.
Claire says
I have never been to Bordeaux, although I knew it existed I’ve not made it there yet. These are some incredible places to stay! Château Pape Clement looks amazing, and I would love to stay in a windmill that would be so cool!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The windmill is really unique! And you can’t beat that swimming pool there on a hot day. And even though the windmill doesn’t have air conditioning, I stayed on one of the hottest days this past summer and it wasn’t at all uncomfortable.
Sophia Grace says
I have been there just one time & my experience with Bordeaux was amazing.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Bordeaux!
Aleah says
I’ve heard so much about the wines in Bordeaux and yes, I would love to visit it one day. All your suggested accommodations look great but if I have to choose, it would be the Château Prieuré Marquet. Love the heated pool and the views are fantastic!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
A pool can be a bit hard to come by here in Bordeaux. And particularly in summer when it gets so hot, a pool can be really refreshing after a day out wine tasting.
Jody Robbins says
I must have camped somewhere in the region, as I definitely hit up St. Emillion a few years ago. I love how you included that map with the pin drops of where to stay. Those Chateaus look amazing! I also love the style on display at Le Boutique Hotel. It’s a tough choice with so many great options.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It doesn’t sound like where ever you stayed left a lasting impression. These places we’ve recommended definitely will, though!
Rosemary says
I was in Bordeaux years ago before La Cité du Vin opened. I remember fondly the old streets and magnificent buildings and amazing Bordeaux wines all around. What a fantastic round up of places to stay. The windmill in Margaux has totally captured my attention. Mama Shelter looks like a cool and funky place as well.The Dune du Pilat looks quite amazing. So much beauty all around. And with good wines, you got the perfect combination.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We can’t disagree! It’s why we love living in Bordeaux so much.
Carol Perehudoff says
I kept thinking that THIS is the hotel I’d want to stay at, then you went on to another fabulous one. I love old world grand hotels and the InterContinental sounds great for the location but the Hotel de Sèze sounds amazing for the history. And the chateau hotels. Oh, my gosh.
Paige says
What gorgeous accommodations. I really like to stay in city center if at all possible because you can walk most places then. So, I would have to say that Le Boutique Hotel is the choice I would make. Plus, I love the intimate little tub space right in the middle of the room. That would make for a nice relaxing bath just before bed. I also love that they have a secret garden! So cozy sounding!
Shannon says
Hi –
I just read your “where to stay in Bordeaux” article and the region looks wonderful, but I have a question for you. I just returned from a trip to Burgundy and we stayed in Beaune and absolutely loved it, and I’m trying to figure out where the Beaune is of Bordeaux. A cute picturesque town, a little smaller, but filled with local clothing shops, boulangeries, patisseries, wine shops, restaurants, sights, etcetera. We were also just in Switzerland and it would be the Thun of the alps region as opposed to Interlaken. Or the Hanalei of Hawaii as opposed to Kaanapali.
Thanks for your insight!
Best,
Shannon
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hi Shannon,
We’ve also been to Beaune. Burgundy is definitely a lot different than Bordeaux.
You might like Saint-Émilion, which is a medieval village. But it’s much smaller than Beaune. Mostly the shops in the village are wine merchants, but there are a few other kinds of shops. There are no chain store brands in Saint-Émilion. The restaurants and patisseries are limited though since it’s really not a very big village. But you would have enough choice for 2-3 days of meals.
James III says
Thank you Jennifer for your great work as I find your article very informative. Will be in Paris in April looking to do a two day side trip to Bordeaux for the first time. I’m especially excited as I just passed the Level 1 of the CMS exam! Could you guide me to whom you’d recommend to craft two days of wine tasting to cover a sample of right and left bank regions?
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hi James,
Congratulations on passing your Level 1 CMS exam! A trip to France is an excellent way to celebrate that!
We actually encourage independently visiting châteaux. You can spend one day in Saint-Émilion and the other in the Medoc. There are many companies offering various tours, but the reason we encourage independent visits is that the tours offer the classic châteaux visit in small to large groups depending on the company you choose. Many châteaux are doing far more interesting and engaging visits than just the classic these days. You also get your own private visit, which gives you much more opportunity to ask questions and really engage. Have you seen our guide to the most unique châteaux experiences? It sounds like you’d really enjoy some of them. https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/best-wineries-in-bordeaux/