Tropical House

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Tropical House? The name made me expect some kitschy beach theme, but honestly, this place is way more sophisticated than that. It sits right on Cours le Rouzic in the Bastide district – and if you’re not familiar with Bordeaux, that’s the right bank, across from all the main tourist stuff. Which is actually perfect because you get this quieter, more residential vibe while still being close enough to walk everywhere that matters.

The building itself has this understated charm – I mean, it’s clearly a 3-star property, so don’t expect marble lobbies or anything, but there’s something really authentic about it. The staff genuinely seems to care, which you notice immediately during check-in. They’ll actually give you proper directions instead of just pointing vaguely toward the tram stop. Speaking of which, the Stalingrad tram stop is literally a few minutes away, so getting into the city center or out to wine country is dead simple. I stayed here during shoulder season in October, and the whole area felt like you were living in an actual Bordeaux neighborhood rather than just visiting one.

The rooms are clean and comfortable – nothing fancy, but everything works properly (the Wi-Fi actually connects, the shower has decent pressure, that sort of thing). What I really appreciated were the little touches that show they pay attention: proper blackout curtains if you’re sensitive to light, and the windows actually open, which is amazing when you want that fresh air without cranking the AC. The area stays pretty quiet at night too, though you’ll hear the occasional tram rumbling by – it’s more soothing than annoying, honestly. Parking can be a bit tricky on the street, but there’s a public lot nearby, and the hotel folks will point you in the right direction.

Here’s the thing that really sold me on this place – the location gives you options. You can walk along the Garonne riverfront in the morning (seriously beautiful at sunrise), grab coffee at one of the local spots that aren’t overrun with tourists, or hop on the tram and be sipping wine in Saint-Émilion within an hour. The Bastide has this great food market on certain days, and you’re close enough to hear the vendors setting up if you’re an early riser. For dinner, you’ve got some really solid neighborhood bistros within walking distance – the kind where locals actually eat, not just the tourist traps near the cathedral.

I’ll be honest, if you’re looking for a resort experience with a spa and room service, this isn’t your spot. But if you want a genuinely comfortable base for exploring Bordeaux without paying city center prices, and you appreciate staying somewhere that feels real rather than generic, Tropical House hits that sweet spot perfectly. The 9-point rating makes total sense once you’ve been there – it’s not trying to be something it’s not, but what it does, it does really well.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $150. Three-Bedroom Villa with 3 × 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Schön renovierter Altbau – Ralph from Switzerland – 21 July 2025 (9/10)

  Wunderschön angelegter und gut gepflegter Garten, sehr hohe und grosszügige Räume, gemütlicher, klimatisierter Wintergarten.
  Gut ausgestattete Küche.
  Gute Kommunikation und hilfsbereite Ansprechpartnerinnen.
  
  What could be improved: Oberer Stock trotz Ventilatoren bei heissen Temperaturen im Sommer eher zu warm.

SURROUNDINGS