TL;DR
- Historic boutique hotel – blends a 16th-century Bordeaux exterior with sleek contemporary design.
- Intimate stay – just 10 suites give Hotel Cardinal a sense of privacy.
- Self-catering – fully equipped kitchens make it a good option for a longer stay.
- Central location – you’re right in Quinconces, close to Triangle d’Or, and major sights.
- Overall picture – a polished, intimate base for exploring central Bordeaux.
This boutique hotel in Bordeaux’s central area of Quinconces fits right into its lavish surroundings.
Vintage from the streets, voguish in the sheets, Hotel Cardinal is a gorgeous 16th century-era mansion house, with sleek, modern interiors.
Once inside the stone and wrought-iron exterior, it’s all in on the shiny marble and brass.
It’s a nice combination, and a common standard for a European design hotel.
It’s not a hotel with much personality of its own, though, we could say, but it’s in the lineage of chic design, and the boutique size (just 10 rooms) adds a palpable intimacy that’s missing from many urban hotels.
We’re talking the best of many worlds, and it’s in a superb location.
What are the rooms like?
- 10 rooms – all are suites, with a generous selection of sizes and layouts despite the hotel’s intimate scale.
- Rich design – velvets, marble, brass and dark Bordeaux-inspired tones give the suites a suitably luxurious feel.
- Terrace suites – the Cardinal Suite and Palais Rohan Terrace stand out for their private outdoor spaces and rooftop views.
- Fully equipped – every suite has a kitchen, TV, coffee and tea facilities, climate control and a cosy robe.
- See each room in detail here
Rooms have a lot of variety for such a small space, and plenty of luxury as well.
It’s suites-only, and they’re chock-full of velvets and marbles and brass.
The colour scheme features plenty of dark red, only slightly less purple than a classic Bordeaux.
As contemporary spaces, Hotel Cardinal’s suites feature a lot of fun design elements.
Cubbies rather than beside tables are a nice touch, as are the wire-only chandeliers, blown-glass decorative elements, and houseplants.
The simplest options are the Privilege Suites, which range from 20-27 square feet.
They’re conceived as little cocoons, but we’d say they’re plenty roomy.
Larger Suites follow as Signature and Prestige offerings, but we’d say the Terrace Suites are really where the magic happens.
The Cardinal Suite features a bathtub and can fit an extra bed on request, not to mention the private outdoor space with its rooftop views.
The Palais Rohan Terrace will surprise you, one of the smaller room options, but with such lovely views that anyone travelling alone should book immediately.
Every suite features a fully equipped kitchen, TV, coffee and tea capabilities, climate control, and a cosy robe to wrap up in.
What are prices like?
And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?
- Breakfast – a relaxed French buffet of pastries, spreads, cheese and cured meats gets the day started.
- In-room kitchens – fully equipped suites let you stock up at nearby gourmet markets and prepare your own meals.
- Wine cellar – an honour bar and wine cellar allow you to enjoy Bordeaux’s best without leaving the hotel.
- Vineyard tours – the hotel can arrange bike rentals and excursions into the surrounding wine country.
We personally think the setup for Hotel Cardinal’s food is perfect for a French holiday.
We’re talking a lazy breakfast buffet of pastries, spreads, cheese and cured meats to start the day.
Throughout the rest of it, you’ll have to take advantage of the kitchens. Either eat outside or visit some nearby gourmet markets for delicacies that you can store in your suite for constant snacks.
The hotel also features an honour bar and wine cellar for anyone looking to take advantage of the area’s extensive culture of fermentation and distillation.
We think it’s the perfect focus, especially with endless fantastic restaurants within walking distance.
If you’d rather go further, take a bike. The hotel can easily arrange bike rentals.
Or, go even further. Hotel Cardinal offers tours to surrounding vineyards that can easily make your holiday.
How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?
- Quinconces – Hotel Cardinal sits in the heart of one of Bordeaux’s most elegant central neighbourhoods, moments from Triangle d’Or.
- Major sights – the Cathédrale Saint-André, Museum of Fine Arts and numerous historic monuments are all within easy walking distance.
- City wandering – Bordeaux’s compact downtown is ideal for simply stepping outside and exploring on foot.
Hotel Cardinal is right in the centre, in the famously fancy area of Quinconces and minutes from the other famously fancy area of Triangle d’Or.
It’s classic Bordeaux; you’re mostly surrounded by eateries of varying loveliness, museums, and a handful of darling little parks.
The hotel is spitting distance from the Cathédrale Saint-André, an iconic, must-visit.
Also within an easy walk is the Museum of Fine Arts and its Annex.
Plenty of historical monuments can also be found wandering around the neighbourhood.
Bordeaux’s lovely downtown is one of our favourite places for a quality flaneur, simply walking out the door and seeing where the city will take you.
And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?
Some things guests liked:
“The location is superb and very quiet. The suite was spacious and well equipped. Breakfast was served to our suite every day and was very nicely done:) Two choices of menu with add ons at extra cost if wanted. Staff were very helpful and lovely to deal with….”
Some things guests didn’t like:
”Bathroom was a bit cramped….”
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