Report and photos by Florian Guillemin.
HOTELS
Burdigala
The building stands out from the very distinctive 60s architecture of the Meriadeck district. And that's just as well... The Hotel Burdigala, a member of the MGallery collection, enjoys a unique location in the heart of the city's 'historic' business district, just a few minutes' walk from the city centre. The four-star address offers a cosy setting for business travellers, who will also find very business-like facilities with an amphitheatre and four meeting rooms that regularly host conferences and seminars, all with a capacity of 120 people. Once the work session is over, it's time to rest: each of the 82 rooms - including 15 suites - is ideally protected from light and noise, so you can recharge your batteries away from the hustle and bustle of the local area. They are also equipped with those little extras that make a business trip so much more enjoyable, such as an espresso machine to top up your caffeine intake before a day's work.
115, rue Georges Bonnac - Tel: 05 56 90 16 16
Email : burdigala@burdigala.com - Internet : www.burdigala.com
Mama Shelter
Colour, originality, derision: these are the watchwords of this 97-key hotel inaugurated in 2013. On the ground floor, you'll be amused by the garland of buoys hanging from the ceiling, or by the Mama Shop where you can buy a toothbrush or a wrestler's mask, depending on your mood and needs... On a more serious note, the Mama Shelter has a seminar programme including its Atelier 2 on the 6th floor, and the hotel has one of the most beautiful rooftops in the city.
19, rue Poquelin Molière - Tel: 05 57 30 45 45
Internet : www.mamashelter.com
InterContinental
The InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hôtel needs no introduction. But we can try to put words to this monument on the Place de la Comédie. Luxurious without being stuffy, classic but not outdated, always hectic yet hushed, this flagship establishment on Bordeaux's hotel scene has managed to hold its own. The work of Jacques Garcia was instrumental in this, before the IHG group added its InterContinental brand to the building's pediment at the end of 2015. 130 rooms including 44 suites, indoor swimming pool, panoramic terrace.
Place de la Comédie - Tel: 05 57 30 44 44
Email : info.bordeaux@ihg.com - Internet : bordeaux.intercontinental.com
The Boutique Hotel
Striking the right balance between the charm of an eighteenth-century manor house and the modernity of a boutique hotel is the challenge taken up by this four-star address with 27 rooms and suites. In their day, Victor Hugo and Alphonse de Lamartine were among the hotel's prestigious guests. Today, the Boutique Hôtel reserves its charms for a privileged clientele who can enjoy a glass of wine in the interior garden at the end of the day. La dolce vita à la Bordelaise.
3, rue Lafaurie de Monbadon - Tel: 05 56 48 80 40
Internet : hotelbordeauxcentre.com
Seeko'o
Standing like an iceberg on the banks of the Garonne - which is Inuit for "Seeko'o" - the hotel's facade does not go unnoticed. The 45 rooms at Seeko'o are just like it, bathed in light, with lacquered ceilings, each with an XXL bath for two people, and some with an astonishing round bed. We don't look like anyone else", Valérie Bernagaud proudly claims. The sales manager of this design hotel is using this originality as an argument to attract modern corporate events.
54, quai de Bacalan - Tel: 05 56 39 07 07
Email : contact@seekoo-hotel.com - Internet : seekoo-hotel.com
Pullman Bordeaux Lac
AccorHotels' business brand has chosen to dock in the north of Bordeaux to target the clientele attracted by the events infrastructure concentrated there. The 166 rooms are divided into two categories with promising appellations, Sauternes and Pomerol. The standards of the four-star establishment, the 2,000 m² of meeting facilities and, on another note, the heated swimming pool have all helped to win the loyalty of the business clientele.
Avenue Jean Gabriel Domergue - Tel: 05 56 69 65 08
Email : H0669@accor.com - www.pullmanhotels.com
And also...
Mercure Bordeaux Centre Hotel > 5, rue Robert Lateulade - Tel: 05 56 56 43 43 - Internet : www.mercure.com
ibis Styles Bordeaux Meriadeck > 54, rue Joseph Abria - Tel. 05 56 24 01 39 - Internet : www.ibis.com
Yndo > 108, rue Abbé de l'Épée - Tel: 05 56 23 88 88 -
Internet : www.yndohotelbordeaux.fr
Best Western Plus Bordeaux "Bayonne Etche Ona > 11, rue Mautrec
- Tel.: 05 56 48 00 88 - Internet: www.bordeaux-hotel.com
Hôtel de Sèze > 23, allée de Tourny - Tel: 05 56 14 16 16 - (in French)
Internet : www.hotel-de-seze.com
RESTAURANTS
Le Bordeaux
Not content with playing a leading role on the hotel scene, the Intercontinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel also stands out for its gastronomic offering. As part of IHG, the hotel has secured the services of Gordon Ramsay, who took over the Pressoir d'Argent in 2015. While the two-starred restaurant lends itself to top-of-the-range business meals, the Grand Hôtel also has a more affordable brasserie, Le Bordeaux, which offers business customers a menu combining local cuisine with British inspiration, without inflating their bills.
2-5, place de la Comédie - Tel: 05 57 30 43 42
Internet : bordeaux.intercontinental.com
Garopapillas
The poetic promise of this restaurant, comfortably located between Meriadeck and the historic town centre, is "Wines by authors and cuisine to match". It's best to plan ahead to secure a table in this twenty-seater and take advantage of the seasonal menu devised by Tanguy Laviale, the extensive wine list with almost 500 wines and the indoor garden. Open for lunch, Garopapilles goes even longer into the evening on Thursdays and Fridays for tasty business dinners.
62, rue Abbé de l'épée - Tel.: 09 72 45 55 36
Internet : garopapilles.com
La P'tite Brasserie
It may be a small brasserie, but it's a brasserie with a capital B. It's a simple, aesthetically pleasing address that's both tasty and family-friendly. In just over a year, it has built up a clientele of regulars in the heart of Meriadeck, mingling with visiting business travellers. The service is fast and the setting welcoming. The menu features fresh produce and a number of tried-and-tested dishes, notably hake à l'Espagnole. A second adjoining room is available for smaller corporate events. As an added bonus, Sabrina, the owner, will sing a song to celebrate a birthday or a special occasion.
127, rue George Bonnac - Tel: 05 56 98 47 23
The fourth wall
With a prestigious address - that of the Opéra National - and an emblematic and talented chef, Philippe Etchebest, the Quatrième mur was born under a lucky star. The brasserie advertises its cuisine as "tasty and resolutely democratic", with a lunch menu starting at 28 euros. Ideal for inviting a guest to a unique setting without breaking the bank. The menu features local produce, to be enjoyed in the dining room, at the counter or even under the peristyle in fine weather.
2, place de la Comédie - Tel: 05 56 02 49 70
Internet : www.quatrieme-mur.com
And also...
The Great House of Bernard Magrez > 10, rue Labottière - Tel. 05 35 38 16 16 - Internet : www.lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com
Roots > 59, rue Georges Bonnac - Tel. 05 56 98 43 08
Darwin Caserne Niel > 87, quai des Queyries - Tel. 05 56 77 88 35 -
Internet : magasingeneral.camp
The Burdigala Table > 115, rue Georges Bonnac - Tel: 05 56 93 15 06 - (in French)
Internet: www.burdigala.com
Le 7 Restaurant > La Cité du Vin Esplanade de Pontac - Tel.: 05 64 31 05 40 - (in French)
Internet : www.le7restaurant.com
The Blue Bird > 127, avenue Thiers - Tel.: 05 64 28 58 69 -
Internet : www.loiseaubleu.fr
Services
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Bordeaux Convention Bureau > 12, cours du 30 juillet - Tel. 05 56 52 53 11 - Internet : congres.bordeaux-tourisme.com
BUSINESS CENTRES
Buro Club Bordeaux Quinconces > 9, rue Condé - Tel: 05 56 00 12 01 - Internet : www.buro.com
COWORKING SPACES
Wigi Bordeaux > 26, rue Condillac - Tel: 05 57 34 62 71 - Internet: wigi-coworking.com
Espace NOMADE > 39, rue du Château d'Eau - Tel: 05 56 844 121 - Email : nomade-bordeaux@laposte.fr - Internet: nomade.laposte.fr
Coworking Bordeaux Judaïque > 180, rue Judaïque - Tel: 05 56 43 11 86 - Internet: www.coworking-bordeaux.fr
Le Bac A Sable - Working Café > 18, rue Sainte Colombe - Tel.: 05 56 44 94 25 -
Email : contact@lebacasablecafe.com - Internet: www.lebacasablecafe.com
LIMOUSINE HIRE
Bordeaux limousine > 44, rue Gravelotte - Tel: 05 57 97 91 30 - Email : contact@bordeaux-limousine.fr - Internet : www.bordeaux-limousine.fr
FITNESS CENTRES
Magic Form Bordeaux > 75, cours d'Albret - Tel: 09 50 47 14 97 - Internet : www.magicform-bordeaux.fr
Basic-Fit > 56, rue du Château d'eau - Tel: 0 899 65 00 27 - Internet : www.basic-fit.com
LONG STAYS
Adagio City Aparthotel Bordeaux Gambetta > 40, rue Edmond Michelet -
Tel : 05 57 30 47 47 - Email : h6643@adagio-city.com
Your Bordeaux Home > Tel: 07 89 37 77 08 - Email: yourbordeauxhome@gmail.com - Internet : yourbordeauxhome.com
PRACTICAL GUIDE
A great weekend in and around Bordeaux, Hachette (2017)
