When I planned my trip to Bordeaux, I assumed I’d have to choose between two extremes: either splurge on luxurious château stays or settle for bare-bones budget hostels. To my surprise, I found a sweet spot in mid-range hotels that delivered comfort, charm, and excellent service without draining my budget.
I’ll share my experience staying in one of these hotels firsthand, and I’ll also recommend four others I researched thoroughly or visited for meals and meetings. Whether you’re coming to Bordeaux for wine tastings, history, or riverside strolls, these hotels strike a wonderful balance of affordability and comfort.
My Stay at Hôtel de Normandie Bordeaux
Location:
Address: 7 Cours du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
Located in the heart of Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle, right next to the Place des Quinconces and a short walk from the Garonne River, Hôtel de Normandie became my base for five nights.
I chose it primarily because of its location. From the hotel, I could walk to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux in less than 3 minutes, and the tram stop at Quinconces connected me easily to the train station (Gare Saint-Jean) and the Cité du Vin museum.
First Impressions
When I stepped into the lobby, I was greeted by polished wooden floors, vintage furniture, and a quiet charm that felt more boutique than corporate. The receptionist, speaking fluent English, welcomed me with a warm smile and offered maps and tips without me even asking. After traveling through Paris and Reims, where service often felt rushed, this personal touch was refreshing.
My Room
I booked a Classic Double Room through Booking.com for €128 per night, breakfast excluded. The room was compact but elegant, with tall French windows overlooking Cours du 30 Juillet.
• Bed: Firm mattress with crisp white linens. I slept better than expected, considering the central location.
• Bathroom: Recently renovated, with a walk-in shower and excellent water pressure. Toiletries were locally sourced — lavender-scented, which I loved.
• Workspace: Small desk where I could write notes for my blog in the evenings.
• Wi-Fi: Reliable and free, averaging 40 Mbps, which was fast enough for uploading photos.
Facilities and Services
• Breakfast: Optional at €15 per person. I tried it once — croissants, pain au chocolat, fresh baguettes, fruit, yogurt, and coffee. Good, but I found cheaper options at nearby cafés.
• Concierge Service: The staff arranged a last-minute half-day wine tour to Médoc (€65), which turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip.
• Elevator: A small but welcome feature in such a historic building.
What I Loved
• Central location — I could walk almost everywhere.
• Warm, attentive staff.
• Comfortable bed and quiet nights despite the busy square outside.
What Could Be Better
• No fitness center or spa (understandable for a historic hotel, but worth noting).
• Breakfast felt overpriced compared to local bakeries.
Verdict
If you want a mid-range hotel that offers Bordeaux charm with modern comforts, Hôtel de Normandie is a fantastic choice. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, well-situated, and surprisingly cozy.
Recommended Mid-Range Hotels in Bordeaux
While I only stayed at Hôtel de Normandie, I visited or researched other hotels to compare facilities and value. Here are four more mid-range options that I recommend:
- Hôtel Konti by HappyCulture
Address: 10 Rue Montesquieu, 33000 Bordeaux.
Price Range: Around €110–€150 per night.
Booking Platforms: Hotels.com, Expedia, HappyCulture’s official site.
Why It Stands Out
• Located in the Triangle d’Or, right by luxury shops and the Opera House.
• Decor is quirky and modern — pastel walls, patterned rugs, and funky lamps give it personality.
Facilities:
• Free coffee and tea in the lobby all day.
• Comfortable lounge area perfect for digital nomads.
• Pet-friendly policy.
Pros:
• Stylish rooms without breaking the bank.
• Central yet tucked away on a quieter street.
• Friendly staff known for recommending local restaurants.
Cons:
• No on-site restaurant (though plenty nearby).
• Some rooms are small, so upgrade if possible. - Hôtel de Sèze
Address: 23 Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux.
Price Range: €140–€190 per night.
Booking Platforms: Booking.com, Agoda, hotel website.
Why It Stands Out
Hôtel de Sèze is slightly pricier for a mid-range category, but it offers facilities you’d expect from a boutique luxury stay.
Facilities:
• Spa with hammam, sauna, and jacuzzi.
• On-site restaurant, Le Comptoir de Sèze, serving refined French cuisine.
• 24-hour front desk and luggage storage.
Pros:
• Great for travelers who want relaxation after wine tours.
• Classy, spacious rooms.
• Walking distance to Quinconces tram stop and Jardin Public.
Cons:
• Breakfast is extra and expensive (€18–20).
• Rooms facing the street can be noisy.
- Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
Address: 27 Rue Parlement Sainte-Catherine, 33000 Bordeaux.
Price Range: €95–€140 per night.
Booking Platforms: Expedia, Hotels.com, Choice Hotels.
Why It Stands Out
• Excellent location right off Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street.
• Part of the Choice Hotels chain, but retains a boutique feel.
Facilities:
• In-room Nespresso machines.
• Partnership with a nearby gym for free guest access.
• Breakfast buffet with local products.
Pros:
• Affordable yet central.
• Rooms are modern and recently refurbished.
• Free coffee in the lobby.
Cons:
• No parking, and driving in Bordeaux center is stressful.
• Standard rooms are small.
- Hôtel La Cour Carrée
Address: 5 Rue de Lurbe, 33000 Bordeaux.
Price Range: €100–€130 per night.
Booking Platforms: Booking.com, hotel’s official site.
Why It Stands Out
A family-run boutique hotel with a charming courtyard (hence the name). It feels intimate and personal.
Facilities:
• Cozy outdoor seating area.
• Rooms with exposed stone walls and parquet floors.
• Option to rent bikes directly at the hotel.
Pros:
• Authentic Bordeaux character.
• Friendly staff who make you feel at home.
• Quiet neighborhood but close to the city center.
Cons:
• No elevator, so not ideal if you have heavy luggage.
• Limited breakfast spread.
Booking Tips: How I Found the Best Deals
• Comparison is key: I used both Booking.com and Hotels.com, and prices often varied by €10–20.
• Flexible dates save money: Shifting my stay by one day reduced the nightly rate by €15.
• Check the hotel’s own website: Sometimes they offer free breakfast or late check-out if you book direct.
• Sign up for loyalty programs: Hotels.com’s Rewards gave me a free night after 10 bookings.
When I left Bordeaux, I realized that the places I stayed shaped my overall travel experience more than I had expected. A comfortable, well-located hotel doesn’t just give you a bed to sleep in — it becomes a home base, a sanctuary between long walks, vineyard excursions, and museum visits.
The mid-range hotels I explored and experienced in Bordeaux taught me something valuable: you don’t need to spend a fortune to feel well cared for. Instead of pouring my budget into a five-star property, I saved that money for wine tastings, boat rides along the Garonne, and dinners where the sommelier told me the story of every bottle. And yet, when I returned to my room each night, I had the quiet, the comfort, and the little luxuries that made me feel rested and recharged.
Hôtel de Normandie reminded me how much kindness and attentiveness from staff can elevate a stay, while places like Hôtel Konti and Hôtel de Sèze showed me that even within the mid-range, you can find style, wellness, and modern design. I especially appreciated how these hotels didn’t feel cookie-cutter — each one had a personality, reflecting Bordeaux itself: elegant, historic, but with a lively modern pulse.
If you are planning your first trip to Bordeaux, here’s my best advice:
- Think location first. A well-placed hotel means more time exploring and less time commuting.
- Don’t underestimate service. A smile at reception or a concierge who can book your wine tour is worth more than an infinity pool you might never use.
- Book smart. Always check multiple platforms and the hotel’s own site — a little effort can save you enough for a great bottle of Saint-Émilion.
- Value memories over marble. Sometimes the most meaningful experiences come from sitting on a small balcony overlooking a tram-lined street, not from a grand chandelier.
Bordeaux is a city that rewards those who slow down — sip a glass of wine, linger at a café terrace, stroll along the riverfront — and staying in a hotel that feels right for you is part of that rhythm. These mid-range gems are proof that you don’t need extravagance to enjoy Bordeaux in style.
So next time you’re planning your journey here, remember: comfort doesn’t have to mean costly, and affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise. Bordeaux has the perfect balance, and if you choose wisely, your hotel will become not just a place to sleep, but a chapter of your travel story.