Bordeaux, France
InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel
Opulent Hideaway
What it is
An ornate 130 room retreat in a circa 1789 building with a two Michelin-starred restaurant by star Chef Gordon Ramsay, rooftop bar, and showstopping Guerlain Spa with a pool and hammam.
What it isn't
Lacking in provenance. French novelist and politico Victor Hugo once gave a speech on the brasserie’s terrace here, back in 1871.
What we think
Sumptuous classical beauty and intricate architecture is a requirement of any true Francophile…and it’s prized at InterContinental Bordeaux. Here, even the most basic room category is anything but “basic”; Classic Rooms are festooned with baroque era touches such as floor to ceiling draperies, wall paneling, and antique inspired furniture reminiscent of anything you’ll spy at Versailles. They can feel intimate at 215 square feet; for more spacious floor plans, we love the Premium Rooms (376 square feet), including a marble-lined bathroom with heated floors. Or do as Marie Antoinette might and book The Junior Suites with Opera View, which have canopied beds, a panorama over the Neoclassical Opera house built in the 18th century, and delicious perks—including Samsung Tvs, Nespresso machines, and unfettered insider access to the Guerlain Spa and Fitness Area.
You're here because
The 5th floor Guerlain Spa is Luxury with a capital L, from its tea room to its treatments (including a black orchid anti-aging facial.)
The Moment
From your velvet perch beside a centuries-old fireplace mantel in Gordon Ramsay’s Two Michelin starred Le Pressoir d’Argent restaurant, you’re not sure what you find more delectable: the scenery, or the buttery Breton lobster set before you.
Restaurants & Bars
Le Pressoir d'Argent - One Michelin Star gourmet restaurant with great ride adds the delicate flavours of seafood and invites its customers to discover the art of gastronomy. Langoustines, caviar and oysters from the region, blue Brittany are all very special products that Chef Pascal Nibaudeau showcases in a rich and varied menu.
Location
The buzzing heart of Bordeaux, just two blocks from the Garonne River. While you’re here, don’t miss the Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux, where you can wander manicured gardens first designed in 1629.