hotel des quinconces

The staff went out of their way to help: the breakfast restaurant ladies, the two gentlemen at the front desk who booked us a boat tour to arcacon and a taxi to the airport, and the housekeepers. Our room, amenities, and service all made us very happy. We loved the room on the top floor, especially the amazing shower and separate toilet room. The hotel is close to central Bordeaux, but on a quiet street with lots of greenery, and there’s a lovely restaurant opposite. We were welcomed with drinks, a lovely touch. We arrived from London just after mid day, and although the usual check-in time is 4pm, the staff managed to get us into our room early. The whole place exceeded our expectations. We’d definitely recommend it and stay again on a future visit to Bordeaux.

It’s a stunning building in a great location, and the staff are lovely, but the service doesn’t meet five-star standards and the staff didn’t seem trained to that level. Our room, Noyer, was gorgeous, yet it had damp stains on the ceiling, a shower temperature that kept changing, and cheap decor. The common areas were worse: breakfast was basic, and the breakfast room had haphazard furniture and flooring. The reception was much the same. This just didn’t feel like a five-star hotel.

We were in one of the smaller rooms, and it was still a good size with plenty of closet space. The cool-looking sink left little counter room for two, and water splashed onto the floor or bath mat when using the shower, but neither was a big deal. Water pressure and temperature were great. The bed was very comfortable, the towels were nice and thick, and I liked the Clarins toiletries, though the bottles were tiny and barely enough for two people to use once. I also liked the lights beside the bed. Street noise may be an issue if it bothers you, since you can hear the tram and people now and then. It didn’t bother me. Breakfast wasn’t included, but it was so tasty. I loved the pear nectar and fruit salad, and the cheese omelet was perfect. The garden area is charming, with a pretty view while eating, though we didn’t have weather to enjoy it. The hotel is near a tram stop, a pretty park, and lots of cute shops and restaurants. It’s about a 30 min car ride to the airport. The staff were friendly and helpful, and gave us a great dinner recommendation. It’s probably the smallest hotel I’ve stayed in, but what a gem. It was a residence, then a consulate, and now a cute hotel.

We needed somewhere at short notice, and they were so accommodating. The warm welcome and help on arrival were almost overwhelming. The food and service were world class, with so many personal touches, and the rooms were wonderful. One of the best hotels I’ve stayed in.