Wine may not be the only attraction in beautiful Bordeaux, but with nearly 7,000 wineries in the region, it’s certainly the most prominent. If you’re planning a wine-focused pilgrimage to La Belle Endormie—which in French translates to “The Sleeping Beauty”—it makes sense to spend your nights in on-theme accommodations.
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Whether you prefer to stay in the heart of the city or would rather escape to the vine-filled countryside, here are seven expert-approved hotels, chateaux and bed-and-breakfasts (or chambres d’hôtes, as the French say) ideally suited for oenophiles.
Though it’s a recent addition to Bordeaux’s hotel scene, the Mondrian Bordeaux Hôtel des Carmes is housed in the former wine cellars of the prestigious Maison Calvet, which date back to the 19th century. Open since November of 2023, the Philippe Starck-designed property is located in the city’s village-like Chartrons district, historically ground zero for Bordeaux’s wine merchants.
With a modern East-meets-West aesthetic, the hotel has 97 rooms and suites spread over three floors. There’s also a Japanese restaurant and bar with an expansive wine list. “It has the same owner as Château Carmes Haut-Brion,” says Jane Anson, author of Inside Bordeaux, referencing the only winery located within the city limits of Bordeaux. “So, it has a good wine selection—with plenty of vintages of Carmes Haut-Brion, but also wider references from across Bordeaux.”
Nearby attractions include The Musée du Vin et du Négoce, focused on the history of wine and trade in the city, and La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s world-renowned wine museum.
From the moment guests walk through the doors of the five-star Le Boutique Hotel & Spa, it’s clear that this place is fueled by wine. New arrivals are whisked away to the on-site wine bar for a welcoming wine experience. The lush interior courtyard surrounding the wine bar is planted with grape varieties from throughout the Bordeaux region, and the hotel’s sommelier offers personalized tasting workshops on the wines and terroir of Bordeaux. At the bar, there’s a simple menu of cheese, charcuterie and a few tapas to pair with the wine.
Local tour guide and wine expert Sarah Seguret regularly recommends Le Boutique Hotel to her clients, many of whom are wine tourists from the U.S. “It’s right in the city center, and its guest wine bar is really good,” she says.
Located in the upscale Triangle d’Or district, Le Boutique Hotel is housed in a sprawling neo-Renaissance mansion. While the façade has changed little since the 18th century, the inside has been transformed into a modern, luxurious design hotel furnished with comfortably contemporary decor. There are 29 rooms and suites of various sizes and styles; all are named for a different Bordeaux wine chateau. We recommend asking for one with a whirlpool bathtub and a view of the quiet courtyard. There’s also a small plunge pool, sauna and hammam for recharging after a day of vineyard-hopping.
Facing the tree-lined Allées de Tourny in the Triangle d’Or district, Hôtel de Sèze counts its location as one of its primary draws. “It’s very central—and right beside the great wine bar of the CIVB,” Seguret notes, referencing Le Bar à Vin, the headquarters of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bordeaux. “It’s perfect if you want a more intimate option than a grand hotel.”
Janice Brooks Faugas, an Alabama-born wine educator and tour guide based in Bordeaux, is also a big fan of the hotel. “[They have] good service, and their restaurant is an excellent value, especially at lunch,” she says. “They also have a spa, and a cigar room, and their own golf course just outside of town for guests. You can privatize the golf course for a garden party if you like. They are also happy to organize excursions into the vineyards for guests.”
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The building dates back to the 1700s, and the hotel’s interiors pay homage to its past while still feeling fresh and occasionally fanciful. The 54 guest rooms and four suites seamlessly balance old and new, with elegant period features offset by bold wallpaper, sumptuous fabrics and statement lighting.
Hôtel de Sèze has several on-site bars and lounges where guests can sip Bordeaux wines and try local brandies like Cognac or Armagnac from just up north. The English-style Salon des Illustres, with its roaring fireplace, velvet sofa and stacks of books, is an especially inviting spot to settle in with a glass of wine. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant, Comptoir de Sèze, serves classic French fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
This 19th-century Haussmanian hôtel particulier in Bordeaux’s leafy Jardin Public neighborhood feels like an elegant secret hideaway in the heart of the city. With only five guest rooms, the vibe is intimate and serene. “It’s a great home away from home with its own wine cellar,” says local wine tour guide Nicolle Croft. “It is very friendly.”
Big, fluffy beds and soaking tubs stand ready to welcome guests, while each room and suite has its own style—from the beachy, zen Oyat to the butterfly-filled Lassaia. The Orensio family suite invites little guests to sleep in beds inspired by boat cabins, but our personal favorite is the third-floor Seiros, which boasts a rooftop terrace with a private plunge pool.
The wine cellar—or cave (pronounced “kahv”)—is a warm, cozy retreat where guests can sample a curated selection of wines from around the region. Expert-led wine tastings and workshops are held regularly. Guests can even book private tours of the Grands Crus Classés estates, choosing between the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, Médoc or Pessac-Léognan. Tours include visits to three Grand Cru Classé châteaux and lunch.
Just 15 kilometers from the city center in Léognan, Château Le Pape has five discrete guest rooms surrounded by nine hectares of vines. Croft calls it the best discovery she’s made this year. “It’s owned and run by the sumptuous Château Haut Bailly, five minutes away,” she says. “It has a beautiful, home-like atmosphere with a pool and gardens. You can take bikes to discover the area—Smith Haut Lafite is not far away. It’s a very classy place.”
Dating back to the 18th century, the chateau has been painstakingly restored following strict heritage conservation guidelines. The common spaces and guest rooms are traditional yet welcoming, with comfortable furniture and natural light flooding the spaces. The quiet guest rooms overlook the vines, while the peaceful terrace is the ideal place to have breakfast surrounded by nature. The lush gardens and shady infinity pool complete the tranquil country escape.
The château is located in the appellation Pessac-Léognan, on the Route des Vins de Graves et Sauternes. There’s plenty to explore in this region, starting with the neighboring Château Haut Bailly, which invites guests to visit the vineyard, vat room and spectacular architect-designed cellars.
Just outside of Saint-Emilion, a medieval village on Bordeaux’s Right Bank renowned for its wine, Château Grand Barrail Hôtel is a five-star property built at the turn of the last century. With romantic turrets and spires decorating the facade, it looks every inch a fairy tale French chateau. The hotel offers free shuttles into the village, which is itself just a quick 30-minute train ride from Bordeaux.
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Surrounded by acres of vines and manicured gardens, the hotel has 41 rooms and five suites spread out between the chateau and adjacent buildings. The guest rooms and common spaces have a posh, contemporary feel, and there’s a heated pool, sauna and Turkish baths for a bit of pampering. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner—and, of course, an array of Bordeaux wines.
“Overlooking vineyards outside of the village, Grand Barrail has just been re-decorated—and it’s lovely,” Croft says. She recommends the nearby shop La Cave Dourthe for wine tastings and sales of great old vintages.
You’ll find this five-star hotel surrounded by the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Grand Cru Classé of Graves on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Here, love of the vine meets wellness with the on-site spa’s trademarked vinotherapy tapping into the anti-aging properties of grape seeds. “A day at their spa is heaven,” Faugas says, noting that the grape pomace wrap is one of her favorites.
The spa offers numerous treatments using Caudalie’s exclusive skincare line, and guests also have access to the hammam and a natural hot water bath filled with spring water pulled from 540 meters underground.
As for wining and dining, there are four restaurants on-site, including La Grand’Vigne, which has two Michelin stars. Rouge is a more casual wine bar and gourmet grocery.
Published: February 21, 2024
