Charming Boutique Hotel de Tourny Found in Bordeaux, France

Thinking about a European holiday in wine country, but still want the sophistication of an urban city with museums, restaurants and nightlife? As the entire city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as home to a thriving university population, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in this part of South West France. From historic mansions to grand hotels, there are lodging options to fit every budget. This was our first time to stay in the historic city center of Bordeaux so we opted for a boutique hotel in what is known as the Golden Triangle district. Hotel de Tourny was to be our home-away-from-home for several days and we found both the hotel and the owners to be charming.

Originally an 18th century private mansion, Hotel de Tourny was purchased by Sandrine and Jean-Philippe Burgeat and converted into a modern boutique hotel in 2015. The 15 room hotel has single and double rooms, as well as three suites. Our room, with a double bed and private bathroom, was small, yet cozy and rented for 175€ during our off season visit. Each of the rooms is uniquely decorated by General Manager  and co-owner Sandrine Burgeat.

We didn’t have a chance to visit with Sandrine during our two-night stay, but we did meet her husband, Jean-Philippe (JP) Burgeat. Turns out we had a California connection with JP as he has visited the San Francisco Bay Area many times during his former business life in the high tech industry. Judging from the welcoming staff experience upon check-in (staff speaks French, English and Spanish) and the concierge level service we received, I’d recommend this hotel to sophisticated travelers looking for an affordable and local vibe.

I didn’t see the larger rooms, some with outside balconies, so I can’t speak to those details, but the building itself was well located and within easy walking distance to downtown Bordeaux. Needless to say, there are many things to see and do in Bordeaux, France, with dining and wine tasting high on the priority list. The fashionable lobby, with chairs and tables, created an intimate environment for meeting friends and sharing a bottle of wine. Speaking of wine, the hotel offers a D-vine wine vending machine that offers a perfectly poured Grand Cru wine, maintained at the ideal temperature. I spied this machine at another high-end hotel in Bordeaux; it must be an expected perk for all the wine aficionados descending on the area.

Each room included individually controlled heating and air-conditioning – not always a given in older buildings. Another plus that is not always assumed in small hotels is the presence of an elevator. The owners clearly made a conscious decision to focus on the details of the demanding business traveler, while blending the thoughtful touches like white cotton robes and comfortable slippers in room. Complimentary high speed internet is offered, as well as flat screen tv, in-room safe, Home Product Rituals bath amenities, and the all important hair dryer.

While breakfast is not included with your stay, the price of 15€ per person is reasonable for what you get. The breakfast buffet included meats, Basque cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, homemade pound cake, coffee, tea and fresh fruit juice.

Hotel rates range from $150 to $530, depending on the room type, time of year and current exchange rate. While hotel prices are listed here in dollars, euro is the accepted form of currency in Bordeaux, France. On site parking is not available at the hotel, but pre-negotiated rates are offered in the nearby parking garage. Check with the hotel BEFORE you pay the garage (online) as it’s worth pre-paying if you are staying for multiple nights. You can also compare rates on Booking.com, Expedia or other booking sites.

Review by boutique hotel lover and San Francisco-based Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. Photos © Nancy D. Brown. Hotel de Tourny, along with Nouvelle-Aquitaine Tourism arranged my stay for review purposes, however, all opinions are my own.