Martillac, France
Les Sources de Caudalie
Oenophile Idyll
What it is
An icon of sustainability in Bordeaux, with a wine-inspired spa, al fresco pool, 43 serene rooms and a two Michelin-starred restaurant.
What it isn't
Boring. You can indulge in three-hour cooking classes at La Grand Vigne with Chef Nicolas Masse’s own team (you’ll work up quite an appetite, so thankfully lunch is included).
What we think
Even Napa is jealous of this exquisite property, which is as cinematic as they come: perched amid lush and leafy vineyards, alongside a glimmering lake. Guest rooms have soaring, open-beam ceilings and expertly curated antiques that say “France!” at a glance. (Bonus: they’re as well equipped for a tech-obsessed urbanite as they are for cinema, with an e-concierge app for booking spa treatments and restaurant reservations, plus in-room individual climate controls, cable TV, mini bars and zippy WiFi.) For a room with a more expansive footprint, book a Junior Suite; each one has its own wood stove in a separate living room and was inspired by regional history (yep, Thomas Jefferson was here).
You're here because
You don’t just love wine, you live for it. So the fact that the Vinotherapie spa marries mineral-rich hot springs that bubble up from the ground here with treatments like the wine wraps makes you want to check in and stay forever.
The Moment
Overlooking flourishing organic gardens from within the greenhouse of La Grand Vigne and tucking into your praline and cognac ice cream, you’re surprised they don’t have a galaxy of Michelin stars. They’ve more than earned them.
Restaurants & Bars
La Grand'vigne - Savour Chef Nicolas Masse's brilliant, well-grounded cuisine
La Table Du Lavoir - Serves delicious, unusual, bistro-style food with the finest seasonal products
Rouge - A tasting bar with a wide wine selection
The French Paradox Bar - The ideal place for relaxing and enjoying the exceptional view of the vineyard
Location
In the rolling vineyards of Martillac, just a 24 minute drive from the town of Bordeaux. Don’t miss stopping by the arboretum at Jardin Public, a park and botanical garden built in 1755 with an 85,000-plant herbarium.