THE BEST BORDEAUX HOTELS FOR GOLF HOLIDAYS
Including: Golf de Medoc, Lacanau, & Chateau des Vigiers
Hotel du Golf de Medoc****
A very well thought out and designed hotel that offers the wayfaring golfer pretty much everything he or she could desire. A new, totally modern, hotel has been built adjoining the existing Clubhouse at the Médoc Golf Club. As part of the re-modelling process the existing Clubhouse has been re-shaped and now the hotel and Clubhouse are joined seamlessly offering the residents at the hotel easy access to the Clubhouse, the courses and the extensive practice facilities.
The bedrooms are a fair size and are well equipped with mini-bars, flat screen tv's, air-conditioning, hair-dryers, even tea and coffee making facilities - a first for France! They also have bright bathrooms (with powerful showers rather than baths). One of the very nice little details is a specially designed rack by the door for two sets of clubs - very convenient!
The bar and restaurant are on the first floor and connect the hotel to the Clubhouse via the sunny patio that overlooks the Châteaux course. This makes it very easy to move around from bedroom to 1st Tee with the minimum of fuss.
On the ground floor you will find the indoor pool, steam room and small spa area. Here, various beauty and relaxation therapies are available, including the 'Albatross massage' when your muscles will be treated with the root cause of their problems - golf balls!
Relais de Margaux****
Situated in a corner of the Château Margaux vineyards, the Relais de Margaux is well placed for enjoying the wines and golf of Médoc. With a very approachable golf course on site (tougher tests nearby) and a fabulous new Spa centre and Clubhouse, it offers a holiday of quiet relaxation.
The Relais has a variety of individually styled rooms ranging from Club to Suites. All have been comfortably appointed in a modern French style.
The main restaurant is truly gastronomic, with a carefully crafted menu featuring many of the local Aquitaine specialities such as confit duck, goose rillettes and of course that famous health food - foie gras. As you might expect in this region there’s also a rather interesting wine list to peruse... More relaxed fayre is available in the Clubhouse overlooking the course.
Château Margaux vineyard is open for visits and tastings by prior appointment. For the best advice on which other vineyards and Châteaux to visit the hotel staff will be happy to point you in the direction of both the major producers and a few hidden gems. Or we would be delighted to arrange this for you before you go - please just ask.
Golf Hotel Lacanau***
Tucked away amongst the towering pines along the coast, the Hotel du Golf Lacanau is a fairly basic hotel, yet one that provides shelter for golfers who are hooked on the Lacanau golf course, the long sandy beaches of Les Landes and the very relaxed surfing village of Lacanau with its short strip of beach bars and restaurants.
The small hotel has a slightly 80s 'pre-fab' feel to it and some pretty funky furniture in the bedrooms too! The bathrooms are one piece moulded affairs but do their job well and the strong colours will certainly wake you up in the morning! All bedrooms have small balconies looking onto the golf course or rearwards into the dense pine forest.
The hotel adjoins the Clubhouse, so after breakfast you can walk straight through to the Pro-shop and first Tee: very handy. The restaurant offers simple cuisine, most guests head into nearby Lacanau for dinner by the Atlantic.
The Lacanau hotel has some decent aquatic facilities too, such as an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam. The main attraction of the hotel is the peace and quiet of the forest setting - a real golf escape and ideal for a night or two and a couple of rounds on the lovely Lacanau golf course.
In the centre of Bordeaux there are numerous places to stay, however we always suggest staying close to the Opéra on the Place de la Comédie, as this is a classy 'quartier' with plenty of open space, cafés, bars, restaurants and shops. It's always busy around here, so we have a number of small hotels that we offer along with the luxury of the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux; all of which are clumped closely together and have secure underground parking nearby.
Grand Hotel de Bordeaux*****
The height of luxury in the centre of Bordeaux. If you want to splash out on your Bordeaux golf holiday then this is the place for you! Sumptuous bedrooms, spacious lounges, elegant bars and fine dining in the Gordon Ramsay restaurant (French restaurants are also available just outside!). A truly five-star establishment and one of the finest hotels in Bordeaux without a doubt.
Hotel Normandie****
A reliable city-centre hotel with adequate, comfortable rooms and a decent breakfast (although we're not really sure what merits the fourth star to be honest!).
However, Le Normandie sits close to 'Position A' in the centre of Bordeaux's attractions and nocturnal activities, close to bars, restaurants brasseries and the tram to access Bordeaux's other sights, so ultra convenient.
For your car there are two underground car-parks in the big square behind the hotel - and numerous bars and brasseries all around it!
For a Bordeaux golf holiday that lets you access all of the main sights on foot, it's hard to choose a better location.
Majestic Hotel***
Our favourite three-star hotel in Bordeaux. Tucked just behind the Place de la Comedie and l'Opera, so bang in the centre of town it's a warm and friendly place to stay. Great rooms, great staff, surrounded by restaurants and underground parking nearby in Place Tourny, it ticks all the boxes!
N.B. Not many rooms, so the Majestic fills up rather quickly!
Chateau des Vigiers****
East of Bordeaux, in the lush green heart of the Dordogne, you will find the peaceful golfing hideaway that is the Château des Vigiers. An ancient château dating from 1597 that has been transformed into the complete gastronomic golf retreat and spa. Here you can while away long Summer days on the 27-holes through vineyards and orchards or venture out to investigate the beautiful Dordogne countryside and villages. The resort offers plenty of choice with two restaurants: fine dining at 'Les Fresques' within the château proper (currently striving for a second Michelin star) or the more relaxed setting of the oak-beamed brasserie 'Le Chai' overlooking the putting Green and château beyond. There are also two bars, two pools, two tennis courts - but only one spa and snooker table! Château des Vigiers has three styles of accommodation to choose from: Château (in the château) Differences between the three are explained below. But please note that whether you are staying in the château, dépendances or the relais, you will enjoy access to all the luxurious amenities that the Chateau des Vigiers has to offer. |
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Château
Bedrooms
As you might expect in such an ancient building the bedrooms in the château are of various shapes and sizes. The one thing they do have in common though, is elegant furniture and classic decor. And if you like your luxury extra-large, consider one of the Suites - sumptuousness personified. |
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Dependances bedrooms
The dépendances are the old staff quarters and stables of the estate that stand right beside the château. These have been transformed into half-a-dozen small apartments (some privately owned) that offer very spacious accommodation, with either one or two bedrooms, a sitting room and a small patio. Perfect for longer stays of a week or so. Please note the kitchen facilities are minimal, so not a self-catering proposition. |
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Relais des Vigiers
Although just beside the château, le relais is almost a separate entity. A low structure, encased in wood that has very large bedrooms and bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers, all have either patios or balconies too. The idea was to create more 'affordable' accommodation at Chateau des Vigiers - the results are maybe the best rooms! |
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