Over the years I have noticed my travel style has changed. More and more I choose unique accommodation for our trips that is special in some way whether that be the location it is in or the style of lodging.
Our stay at Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux was no exception. A charming 4 star hotel, it offers friendly luxury accommodation in the heart of Bordeaux, France.
About Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux
Arriving at the hotel though its huge 18th century wooden doors you immediately feel a sense of history. In fact the hotel was a mansion belonging to French nobility and once welcomed literary figures such as Victor Hugo through its doors.
Now a UNESCO listed building, this is no stuffy old-fashioned hotel. Decorated in a bright, modern style, the interior remains sympathetic to the building’s past including the sweeping spiral staircase leading to the 28 guest rooms.
A warm welcome
From the moment we stepped through the doors of the hotel we felt welcomed and looked after. As we arrived early our bags were quickly stored while we waited for our room to be ready.
We asked the concierge for restaurant recommendations and were given some fantastic choices suitable for families but with great food and a charming environment. All our transport needs were quickly taken care of and nothing was too much trouble.
Our apartment at Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux
The Boutique Hôtel Bordeaux offers a range of accommodation from double rooms to larger junior suites, suites and apartments. Each room has a different look and feel from the next but they are all elegantly designed taking influence from the hotel’s heritage and modern design elements.
Our apartment on the third floor of the hotel offered pretty views of the Bordeaux skyline across historic rooftops. A spacious 2 bedroom layout, it was set up perfectly for our needs with separate bedrooms for us and the children, a cosy area to relax on a couch, a full kitchen and a table for writing and meals.
After a long journey it is wonderful to relax in your hotel room with a soothing drink. Luxury tea and coffee were provided as well as bottled water. The apartment’s kitchen was fully appointed and included 2 coffee machines for filtered and pod coffee.
The large master bedroom overlooked the quiet street below and had a beautiful and most importantly comfortable four poster king sized bed. There was plenty of storage space to stow our luggage and hang clothes. In the cupboard we found a safe, slippers and bathrobes for our convenience while at the hotel.
The children shared a smaller twin bedroom that was light and modern with storage space for luggage. This space would also be suitable for a couple or friends sharing a room.
Our bathroom had an enormous shower recess with a rain shower – my favourite. Heated towel rails were available for the fluffy white towels folded neatly away.
I had to do some work whilst staying at the hotel so it was important that I had internet access. Wifi was fast and easy to access in all rooms of the apartment.
A lift takes you up to the third floor apartment but it is a little temperamental and slow. The staff explained that careful consideration of the building’s heritage was taken when installing the lift. With that in mind we were happy to enjoy its quirks.
Start the day with a delicious breakfast
One of the luxuries of hotel stays is arriving for breakfast in the morning. At Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux we enjoyed the buffet breakfast of fresh fruits, cereals, pastries and eggs and bacon in the bright atrium style breakfast room. It was also possible to order breakfast to our apartment.
On our first morning there was a rush of guests and the buffet was running a bit low however the ever accommodating staff were quick to provide us with the items we wanted.
A dedicated coffee lover, I happily indulged in my morning cappuccino included in the buffet and the children enjoyed freshly squeezed orange juice.
The hotel wine bar
When in Bordeaux you must take some time to learn about the region’s wine heritage.
The hotel has made every effort to help with this particularly in the wine bar. We had a lovely time sampling a few wines and trying to guess their origin with chief sommelier Martin who gave us a warm welcome with a glass of wine from the region.
To accompany the wine we ordered some tapas from the bar menu. Though not typically French, the tapas dishes were tasty and interesting. There are also delicious pintxos to try from the buffet.
The wine bar is intimate and cosy and overlooks a pretty garden courtyard that is heated in winter. Service starts early at 6pm so it was perfect for a quick family dinner before the night crowd arrived.
The little details make the difference
I loved opening the door to our room to find a personal note and some delicious treats for us to try. These included the local specialty canelés and they tasted incredible. In the bathroom there were luxurious Hermés amenities. Bottled water was provided and refreshed each day.
Before bedtime our children were delighted to find their pyjamas folded neatly and a new friend to play with on their pillow.
On the chilly winter nights when we visited Bordeaux we loved finding a fluffy hot water bottle tucked in our beds to keep us cosy and warm.
Location in central Bordeaux
Just a few minutes walk from the historic heart of the city, the hotel is a convenient base to explore Bordeaux. It is an easy walk to the main attractions including the Miroir D’Eau and Tour Pey Berland and close to the tram to take you to Bordeaux’s wine museum La Cité du Vin or the Chartrons market.
The hotel’s entrance is on a small narrow street and like many hotels in Europe it is sometimes difficult for taxis to stop easily in front. We didn’t have any problems with this as the concierge helped us with drivers who were familiar with the hotel.
Summary
We don’t like compromising on accommodation when we travel. Just because we travel with our children doesn’t mean we need to choose bland hotels or apartments.
Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux offered a wonderful family stay with all the touches I crave.
I loved enjoying a glass of wine in the bar with my family and then retreating to our spacious apartment for a cosy night’s rest.
While we enjoyed our family stay, I think Le Boutique Hôtel Bordeaux would be the perfect getaway with my partner or friends. I would love to spend more time discovering new wines in the bar and relaxing in the welcoming environment.
Judging by the hotel’s reviews on TripAdvisor our experience was typical of other guests and explain why the hotel is a popular choice for travellers visiting Bordeaux.
Hotel information
3 Rue LAFAURIE de MONBADON
33000 Bordeaux, France
Click to check availability and prices
Read more reviews about the hotel on TripAdvisor
Disclosure – Our stay was courtesy of Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux. All words and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links – more information on my disclosure page.
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The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels, Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.
Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy