Saint-Estèphe, France
La Maison D'Estournel
Manor Marvel
What it is
An 18th-century Bordeaux estate flanked by its own vineyards, with a locavore restaurant, 14 charming rooms and suites, and stocked library.
What it isn't
Equipped with its own pool and spa. But with private verdant gardens and vineyards to wander, you won’t miss them.
What we think
It’s difficult to combine centuries-old French history and modernity without a whiff of stuffiness, but that’s exactly what La Maison d’Estournel has achieved. With their oak floors, deep soaking tubs, cheeky fringed lampshades, original art and colorful textiles (including plush velvet headboards and sweetly patterned draperies), guest rooms here are comfortable—and not too mired in creaky antiques for today’s tastes. Each one is equipped with must-haves and nice-to-haves, including Dyson hair dryers, Nespresso coffee machines, and robes and slippers for cozy evenings in. Ask for a first floor room with a balcony overlooking the vineyards, and you’ll never want to leave...and why should you? This corner of France ages like a fine…bordeaux.
You're here because
Experiences on offer include guided tours of medieval St Emilion and lunches in an oyster hut on the Bay of Arcachon.
The Moment
Perched fireside in the locavore restaurant, you can’t decide what’s more delicious: the trout gravlax with beetroot or the roasted peach and verbena pavlova.
Restaurants & Bars
The Restaurant - open for lunch and dinner serving local seasonal cuisine
Location
Surrounded by winemakers (including Château Lafite Rothschild, with an average per bottle price of $999) in the Saint-Estèphe region, just an hour and 20 minute drive north of Bordeaux itself.
