Bordeaux Downtown, pool access

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw the address on Rue Jean Renaud Dandicolle, I had to look it up twice because it’s not exactly on the main tourist drag. But you know what? That actually turned out to be one of the best things about this place. You’re tucked into a proper Bordeaux neighborhood, maybe a 12-minute walk from Place de la Bourse (the one with the water mirror that everyone photographs), but without the constant hum of tour groups tramping past your window at 7 AM.

The pool situation is interesting – and I mean that in a good way. It’s not massive, but honestly, after spending the day walking around those gorgeous stone streets in 30-degree heat, all you want is to sink into cool water anyway. The area around the pool has this relaxed vibe where you can actually hear yourself think, which is sort of rare in city center hotels. I spent a couple evenings there with a bottle of local wine (there’s a Nicolas wine shop about three blocks away on Cours de l’Intendance – much better selection than the hotel minibar, obviously). The staff doesn’t hover, but they’re around if you need towels or whatever.

What really sold me on this place was how it felt like staying in actual Bordeaux, not tourist Bordeaux. In the mornings, I’d grab coffee from the little café around the corner where the barista remembered my order by day three – you know, those small interactions that make you feel less like you’re just passing through. The tram line is close enough to be useful but far enough that you don’t get that mechanical screeching at all hours. And honestly, the 3-star rating doesn’t tell the whole story – the rooms are clean and comfortable, the shower pressure is solid (always a gamble in older French buildings), and the beds are actually decent. Sure, it’s not going to wow you with marble everything, but the bones are good and the location grows on you fast. I mean, you’re still in the heart of one of France’s most beautiful cities, just experiencing it more like locals do rather than checking boxes off a guidebook. Plus, having pool access in downtown Bordeaux at this price point? That’s harder to find than you’d think.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with double bed, 1 double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities