The best hotels in Gironde, luxury and charm

1. Château Léognan, the authentic

Château Léognan offers refined immersion in the vineyards of Pessac-Léognan. Wine tourism enthusiasts can choose between a nature stay in one of the lodges or the elegance of a room inside a 19th-century castle, where the French art of living is revealed in all its facets. Designed with families in mind, the "marvelous suite" invites a warm, historic immersion for young and old alike.

The restaurant? On the gastronomic side, Le Manège, opened in 2015 and housed in the former stables, offers an original atmosphere and a terrace on the estate's former rond de longe.At the helm of the restaurant is Robin Bos, a talented chef committed to the land and local produce. Trained at the Lycée Hôtelier de Gascogne, he honed his skills in a number of renowned establishments before joining Espace Darwin, an organic and local-focused ecosystem on Bordeaux's right bank. A first stint at Le Manège in 2018, where he rose through the ranks, had already enabled him to assert his talent.

For regular snackers, a sweet break is offered in the lounges with the "Douceur épicurienne" offer. This includes artisanal pastries and sweet drinks, all in a cosy atmosphere.

What to do? The estate spa offers a relaxing interlude in a rural setting. Treatments are carried out in yurts or lodges, in complete harmony with nature, which is reflected in the composition of products based on active ingredients from the ocean. Treatments are chosen according to one of four themes: relaxing and comforting, relaxing and sporty, detoxifying and antioxidant, or invigorating and energizing. The wellness offer is for the whole family, with treatments specially designed for children aged 6 to 12, by Nougatine Paris.

The château's estate offers a range of à la carte activities to discover the Pessac-Léognan vineyards. Visit the vineyards - on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage - and enjoy an educational tasting session revealing the specific characteristics of each grape variety, accompanied, for those with a sweet tooth, by a platter of charcuterie and cheeses.

Château Léognan
17 rooms & 7 lodges, from 300 euros per night
88 chemin du Barp, 33850 Léognan

2. La Guitoune, hotel in Gironde on Pilat

Head for the Atlantic coast for an oceanic stay with sea views. La Guitoune is located in Le Pyla-sur-Mer, right next to the famous Dune du Pilat. This 4-star hotel in Gironde, emblematic of the 1940s through to the 1970s, has regained its old-fashioned pep and festive atmosphere. The hotel's seafront Basque facade conceals a colourful decor by Bambi Sloan, immersing us in a retro-kitsch atmosphere. This South-Western hotel offers 24 classic, superior and family rooms. The restaurant menu features traditional Bassin d'Arcachon cuisine, prepared with fresh local produce.

Chef Brice Tomico focuses on simple, healthy dishes to share, such as timeless oysters from the Bay of Arcachon, or crayfish à la bordelaise. It's a cosy place to relax with family or friends, after the beach or work. To extend the evening, Le Bar de la Guitoune is open until 2am. An unusual experience in a warm and colorful setting.

La Guitoune
24 keys, from 170 euros per night
95 boulevard de l'Océan, 33115 La Teste-de-Buch

3. Château Hôtel Grand Barrail, the perfect castle experience?

Discover the Grand Barrail, a 5-star hotel in Gironde. Located in the heart of the Sauternes vineyards, this 19th-century building offers an exclusive, relaxing experience just an hour from Bordeaux. On the program: relaxation, wine tasting and vineyards as far as the eye can see.

For lunch, guests are invited to dine at the bistronomic restaurant. For dinner, the gastronomic restaurant offers fine, innovative cuisine accompanied by an exclusive selection of Bordeaux wines. The hotel's spa offers a Sothys treatment menu and an outdoor heated swimming pool, ideal for relaxing after a day touring the vineyards.

Château Hôtel Grand Barrail
10 rooms, from 275 euros per night
Route de Libourne, 33330 Saint-Émilion

4. Château Lafaurie Peyraguey, pure luxury

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a Michelin-star hotel located in the most prestigious terroir of the Premiers crus classés, offers ten rooms and three suites in an intimate setting. An ideal address for a romantic weekend away.

French savoir-faire and savoir-recevoir are in the spotlight here. The works of Lalique are on display in the gastronomic restaurant, where one hundred and twenty Champs-Élysées leaves (in lustrous gold crystal) adorn the ceiling. In the kitchen, two-starred chef Jérôme Schilling gives pride of place to Sauternes, which he revisits in a "cuisine of the vines". The menu changes with the seasons. Particular attention is paid to guest comfort, with ultra-personalized service provided by the Maître de Maison, right down to the choice of bedding.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Hôtel & Restaurant Lalique
10 rooms and 3 suites, from €250 per night
Lieu-dit Peyraguey, 33210 Bommes

5. Les Sources de Caudalie, the most dreamlike

Bordeaux's only luxury hotel. Designed to be in delicate harmony with the surrounding nature (be it the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Laffite or the forests), this 5-star Gironde hotel is a haven of tranquility in the heart of the region. Despite its 62 rooms and suites, it's a place where you can feel alone in the world, and take advantage of a wellness break to unwind.

The hotel is home to the La Grand'Vigne two-starred restaurant, where chef Nicolas Masse "composes his dishes like one assembles a Grand Cru". It's a feast for the eyes. What's on the menu? Surprise... a blind date at this gourmet restaurant, where you'll be seduced by a menu featuring the very best local produce. In fact, the restaurant has its own permaculture organic vegetable garden and chicken coop. Curious? 

The hotel's spa is designed by Vinothérapie, and includes a hammam, a natural hot-water thermal bath and a jacuzzi. The treatments are by Caudalie, using the anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties of the active ingredients found in grapes. Staying at the Sources de Caudalie hotel allows you to enjoy exclusive walks and tastings in the heart of the 80-hectare estate's vineyards, producing 4 grands crus grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sémillon Blanc.

Les Sources de Caudalie
62 keys, from 480 euros per night
Chemin de Smith Haut-Lafitte, 33650 Martillac