Visit Bordeaux for a day, and you’ll be motivated to remain forever, whether it’s because of the city’s picturesque setting on the banks of the River Garonne or its incredible wine culture dating back to Roman times. Bordeaux’s beauty will captivate you. Culture, food, and architecture here are on par with those in Paris and other major French cities.
While being the country’s sixth largest city, visitors to Aquitaine will appreciate how close the region’s wines, chateaux, and countryside are to even the finest hotels in the city. You can see a lot of what Bordeaux has to offer without ever leaving the boundaries of the town.
Start in the center of the provincial Roman city Bordeaux at the ruins of Palais Gallien, a Roman amphitheater that once hosted thousands of spectators. Medieval quays, towers, cathedrals, and gates coexist with 18th- and 19th-century mansions that attest to the city’s merchant elite in the streets of the “Port of the Moon,” a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Explore the city on foot, stopping to see the unique water mirror at Place de la Bourse and sampling some of Bordeaux’s finest in one of the city’s many wine museums. If you’re planning a trip to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southern France, then keep reading as we talk about the best places to stay in Bordeaux and then pick the best boutique hotels in Bordeaux!
Top 12 Hotels in Bordeaux, France
Here is a rundown of the best hotels in Bordeaux that will please any tourist.
- Hotel Le Saint-James
- Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Hotel Konti Bordeaux by HappyCulture
- Villas Foch Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Yndo Hotel
- InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel
- Villa Reale
- Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel
- Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa
- Hotel de Sèze & Spa Bordeaux
- Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Hotel & Restaurant
- Seeko’o Hotel
1. Hotel Le Saint-James
Hotel Le Saint-James, one of the best boutique hotels in Bordeaux, is tucked away in a green space on the right bank of the River Garonne. Bouliac, where the Hotel Le Saint-James can be found, is a peaceful neighborhood sometimes known as the “Balcony of Bordeaux.”
Originally built as a farmhouse in the 18th century, the hotel received a major renovation in 1989, led by architect Jean Nouvel. The hotel, which Nouvel transformed from a farm into a piece of modern artistic beauty, is now listed in the French Ministry of Culture as a historic building.
From the windows or balcony of your uniquely decorated hotel room, you can take in breathtaking views of Bouliac, Bordeaux, and the neighboring vineyards. There are 18 rooms and suites, all of which offer incredible views from your comfortable bed.
At Hotel Le Saint, guests can spend mornings strolling through frost-covered vineyards or lazy summer afternoons lounging by the outdoor pool. The hotel’s restaurant, which is recommended by the Michelin guide, is the main attraction at any time of year. Here, Chef de Cuisine Mathieu Martin prepares a rotating menu of fusion dishes using ingredients from both land and sea. Eat a duck filet accompanied by cooked oyster, almonds, and cauliflower, or go for blue lobster in a vegetable sabayon sauce instead. If you love food, the hotel offers top-notch culinary classes taught by some of the most famous chefs in Bordeaux.
2. Le Boutique Hotel & Spa
At Le Boutique Hotel & Spa, one of the best hotels in Bordeaux, you’ll stay in rooms that were built in the 18th century but have been beautifully renovated. Le Boutique Hotel & Spa truly lives up to what it means as a boutique establishment. This boutique hotel in the heart of beautiful Bordelais combines history, legacy, comfort, and elegance into one unforgettable experience worthy of its five stars.
The beautiful, elegant rooms have high ceilings and tall windows. From these rooms, you can see the hotel’s inner garden or the streets in the city center of Bordeaux.
Each room has a different look, but the floors are made of wood parquet in the bedrooms and slate from the Pyrenees in the baths. All of the furnishings and artwork in the hotel were hand-picked by the proprietors, so no two rooms are alike. The owners aren’t some faceless company but rather a father-daughter duo named Christophe and Anais, who visited the area, fell in love, and made it into their ideal boutique hotel.
3. Hotel Konti Bordeaux by HappyCulture
The Hotel Konti Bordeaux, a HappyCulture property, is one of Bordeaux’s best and most unusual hotels. This unique four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Bordeaux blends the city’s 18th-century architecture with modern art and industrial style.
The rooms at Hotel Konti have bright bedding, pillows, and wooden headboards. You’ll love the modern technology, like the flatscreen TV and climate control, and you’ll also love the old decor and wind-up phones. Some Rooms are single room that is ideal for solo travelers on a tight budget who don’t want to sacrifice comfort or style.
The Executive Cozy Room is a popular choice for couples, while those seeking the height of luxury can treat themselves to either the La Sky Suite or La Suite M. The cafe of Hotel Konti serves a delicious breakfast buffet with freshly roasted coffee and flaky, buttery croissants. Instead of checking out early, take advantage of the hotel’s hourly booking system and stay for as many more hours as you’d like!
4. Villas Foch Boutique Hotel & Spa
If you are looking for a five-star luxury hotel, stop scrolling and book a boutique room at the Villas Foch Boutique Hotel & Spa for your stay in Bordeaux. This is one of the best hotels in the city, in part because it only has 20 rooms that have all different designs with eight amazing suites.
When you walk into the hallway of this historic Bordelais house, you’ll be greeted by a grand entranceway from the 19th century. This is where your experience will begin. You’ll notice that many of the original features, like the grand stairs, have been kept. At the same time, new touches, like the modern chandeliers, give the timeless decor a sense of renewal.
After you’ve checked in, relax in the plush bedding of your king- or queen-sized bed, or kick back in the luxurious velvet recliner. Each room has plush carpeting or classic wooden parquet flooring, as well as an excellent combination of cutting-edge conveniences and period pieces.
You will love the Roman-style pool at Villas Foch Boutique Hotel & Spa, especially if you need to unwind and rest before going to Bar Le Ferdinand for a few glasses of Saint-Emilion wine. After a stimulating session in the hotel’s Scandi-style sauna, the local Bordeaux wines served from the basement vault at this exclusive hotel bar are a real treat!
5. Yndo Hotel
Yndo Hotel, a boutique property in the center of medieval Bordeaux, is awash in contemporary luxury; guests will appreciate the striking contrast with the building’s historic 19th-century townhouse setting. Yndo Hotel is one of the best hotels in Bordeaux, with a unique style.
Yndo Hotel, like many of Bordeaux’s historic townhouses, has a beautiful courtyard patio that provides welcome relief from the scorching Aquitaine heat and the noise of the city outside. The Yndo Hotel is not like a typical mansion from the nineteenth century; instead, it features bizarre modern furnishings and intriguing contemporary art.
The rooms here are all uniquely designed and decorated with great skill. Purple sofas and velvet armchairs by renowned designers like Tom Dixon or Hubert Legall are arranged around historic hearths, and in the center of the marbled bathrooms is a modern, freestanding bathtub. Agnes Guiot du Doignon, the home’s eccentric owner, hand-picked many of the eccentric furnishings, like the one-of-a-kind walnut “Cloud” table.
The tastes of the owner have also had a significant impact on the restaurant, which is only open to Yndo Hotel guests. Agnes chooses the ingredients for the seasonal menu at La Table d’Agnes herself by going to local farms and markets to find the best fruit. Agnes also personally selects the best wines from the area, and everything on the menu is made fresh to order so that you leave the restaurant feeling completely satisfied.
6. InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel
If you’re looking for a great hotel to stay in Bordeaux, go no further than The Bordeaux InterContinental Le Grand Hotel. This five-star hotel, located immediately across from the historic Grand Theatre, is the pinnacle of Bordelais elegance.
Travelers have been welcomed to Le Grand Hotel for more than two centuries. The fact that Le Pressoir d’Argent also owns two Michelin stars hardly comes as a shock. Black truffles and blue lobster are only two of the luxurious items on the menu at the hotel’s gourmet, fine-dining restaurant, which is curiously managed by famous chef Gordon Ramsay.
Le Bordeaux Restaurant has a wonderful summer terrace where Barons de Rothschild champagne is served during Brunch and Bubbles on the weekends and an equally wonderful menu (even if there are no Michelin stars).
The rooftop bar serves sophisticated drinks and regional wines while overlooking the heart of the city. Later than eating and drinking to your heart’s content, take a break at Spa Guerlain, where you can swim in the indoor pool or rest in the hammam, sauna, or hot tub.
7. Villa Reale
The five-star Villa Reale is right by the Place de la Bourse and the wide sides of the River Garonne, making it a popular hotel in Bordeaux. Although Villa Reale’s location is ideal, the hotel’s luxurious amenities are what really make it worth a stay.
This old home has only three luxurious flats hidden under its weathered walls. Each of the three rooms has been independently built and decorated to provide the kind of character, heritage, and practical high-tech conveniences you’d expect from a five-star hotel.
The building was built in 1754, and you’ll like how the owners have kept original features like traditional fireplaces and vaulted ceilings while also offering full furniture and amenities to make your stay as easy as possible. Here, apart-hotels have kitchens, washing machines, flatscreen TVs, freestanding baths, walk-in showers, and soft, comfortable bedding.
You have everything you need for a long stay in Bordeaux, including the ability to stock the fridge with local vintages and visit the local markets to stock up on the freshest farm-to-fork produce. But the hotel also offers a full-service delicious breakfast with croissants and coffee if you ask for it. Just place your order before 6 p.m., and then head to the spa at the apart-hotel to relax for the rest of the night.
8. Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel
They usually like the restaurant and wine bar at the Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel because of the breathtaking views it provides of the city from the highest rooftop in Bordeaux, but it is actually one of Bordeaux’s best hotels. Drink some of the best wine Bordeaux has to offer while (appropriately) taking in a view that includes the city’s world-class wine museum, Cité du Vin.
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine while taking in views of the city’s skyline to the west and the River Garonne to the east from Gina Restaurant & Bar. The Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel is right next to the city’s Old Docks, which is a growing area where reusing old things is a top priority.
You can see all the new buildings and projects below you through the large windows of your boutique room, which is a mix of modern comfort and industrial chic. On the top floor, there is also an indoor swimming pool and a fitness area. You can work out on the machine while taking in the view, or you can just relax on a lounger and take it all in.
9. Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa
Another great boutique hotel in Bordeaux is the Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa, which is housed in a gorgeous building that has stood on the same site since 1895. You’ll fall in love with the exquisite architecture, motifs, and features of this hotel, which was originally constructed by a Swiss architect for a fabulously wealthy Bordeaux citizen at the start of the twentieth century.
You’ll love the Roman-style spa after a day of visiting, and the hotel’s name, Le Palais Gallien, refers to the city’s Roman past. The ancient Roman bathing tradition serves as inspiration for Spa Nuxe, but the two are worlds apart. Here, you may take your senses on a relaxing journey with massages and treatments before cooling off in the outdoor pool.
In the guestrooms at Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa, you’ll find classic touches like hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, and large windows overlooking the city or a charming courtyard. Your hotel room, like the spa, draws inspiration from the building’s history while remaining distinctly modern.
The rooms have been recently renovated, so you can enjoy modern amenities like flatscreen TVs and rain showers. The best of this boutique hotel’s 27 rooms and suites feature private terraces and hot tubs! You can also dine at the hotel’s superb French restaurant, where Chef Younesse Bouakkaoui prepares traditional Bordelais meals using only the finest seasonal items. The food at La Table de Montaigne evolves with the seasons, but the restaurant’s commitment to serving only the finest wines from the region’s top chateaux remains constant.
10. Hotel de Sèze & Spa Bordeaux
Hotel de Sèze & Spa Bordeaux is a beautiful boutique hotel in Bordeaux that will make you feel renewed and refreshed after your stay. This four-star hotel is in the center of Bordeaux, right next to the Monument aux Girondins.
Spa de Sèze is one of the best-known and most well-equipped spas in Bordeaux’s city center. It has a hammam, hot tub, sauna, ice fountain, and sensory shower. Take advantage of a full range of services and packages, such as massages, brunch, and spa sessions.
The rooms at Hotel de Sèze & Spa Bordeaux reflect the building’s 18th-century history with restored antiques and classic touches. However, they are modern in every way, featuring cutting-edge amenities such as climate control and bathroom design. There is also a famous restaurant in the hotel that serves a great Sunday brunch and fantastic lunch and dinner the rest of the week. You can eat some of the best French food and then go to the Bar Lounge for a glass of Armagnac or a sip of brandy.
11. Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Hotel & Restaurant
If you follow the River Garonne southeast of Bordeaux, you’ll soon be in the farmland of Aquitaine, which is full of castles. You can also stay in one of the region’s most famous chateaus if you want a luxurious place to get away from it all.
The Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Hotel and Restaurant is the perfect example of a classic French castle. This five-star boutique hotel is in Bommes, which is less than an hour’s drive from the city, and is one of Bordeaux’s top hotels to stay at.
It is surrounded by 18 hectares of wineries and has a restaurant that is on the Michelin Guide. Upon entering the typical chateau’s ancient front door, the eye is immediately drawn to the Lalique glass furniture and decor. The hotel’s boutique rooms are all illuminated by crystal chandeliers and lighting from the French luxury brand Lalique.
With only ten guestrooms and three suites, Lucie Cozzi, the hotel’s Maîtresse de Maison, can provide individualized service to each guest. The rooms retain the hotel’s historic charm while delighting guests with bright, modern furnishings. Once you’ve settled in, go to the Vinotheque, where you can get a tour of the farm and a taste of its Grand Vin, which is the most prestigious category of the Grand Cru system.
Wine is served in decanters made of Crystal Lalique, but don’t drink too much because there are more vintages to try at the hotel’s restaurant. In the 17th-century chateau that houses Restaurant Lalique, Head Chef Jermore Schilling serves a seasonal, four-course menu paired with wines selected by the restaurant’s sommelier. You can even get a full vegetarian menu, which may be rare for a French restaurant.
12. Seeko’o Hotel
Why not stay at Seeko’o Hotel if you enjoy staying in hotels with a unique design? You will adore how this premium boutique hotel in Bordeaux stands out from the rest of the pack because it is so unlike any other.
The history and customs of Bordeaux are not used in the Seeko’o Hotel. Instead, this is an excellent piece of modern architecture and design that looks out over the River Garonne and is close to the city’s old submarine pens that are now used for other things.
The hotel’s unique, modern front was apparently inspired by icebergs, so it stands out even from a distance. The 44 rooms at the Seeko’o Hotel are all spacious, current, and comfortable. The stylish urban furnishings in your boutique hotel room are inspired by the city’s modernist architecture. The rooms are simple in design and purpose, but they are cozy and brightly colored. Consider staying in the Design Suite for a bird’s eye view of trendy Bordeaux from the hotel’s top floor!
Conclusion
An attempt was made in this article to introduce the top twelve popular hotels in Bordeaux. Of course, there are many more popular hotels in Bordeaux than were listed. However, the focus was on finding the top hotels for each service category, location, and budget.