It was without the slightest hesitation that I booked the Renaissance Bordeaux for this stay, following a very pleasant first stay a few months earlier. Let’s see if the promises made when the hotel was still in soft opening in have been kept.
This review will go to the point because many things have already been said during my previous stay.
For the record the articles related to this trip.
Type | Article | |
#1 | Flight | Paris-Bordeaux, Air France, Economy |
#2 | Hotel | Renaissance Bordeaux – Gallery Room |
#3 | Restaurant | Le Pressoir d’Argent. – Gordon Ramsay |
#4 | Flight | Bordeaux-Paris, Air France, Economy |
Booking
I booked via the Marriott app a standard room (“La Muse”) for a rate around 120 euros per night.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
I arrive at the hotel from the airport of Merignac. An excellent example of rehabilitation of an industrial wasteland.
Once again the welcome was cordial and while during my previous stay I had been slightly upgraded to a room with a view, this time it was an upgrade to a higher category room that awaited me.Unfortunately it won’t be a suite but a “Gallery” room.
Unfortunately my room is not ready and they take my phone number to let me know when it is. I go out for a walk to pass the time but I will be called back less than 10 minutes later to come and get my key.
The Gallery Room
The Gallery room is a corner room with a great view of the city and the river.
The entrance is made by a small hall which leads to the toilets (separated) and the bathroom on the right and the bedroom in front.
The bathroom is sober with a large shower and, as is becoming more and more common, has a large window overlooking the bedroom.
Nothing to say about the toilets.
The room is not larger than the La Muse category, or at least not significantly. It is the two sides of glass walls and the view that make the difference.
The opening on the bathroom increases the impression of space.
The bedding will prove to be very comfortable.
When the sky clears the room will be very bright. Bright and… hot. The effect of the sun hitting the large glass walls is radical and will quickly transform the room into a steam room and, unfortunately, it is very hot, air conditioning will not change anything. It does not allow to set a precise temperature but just “a few degrees more or less” (ecology when you get us) …. it was never enough to obtain a livable temperature during the day.
Nice selection of coffee and especially tea with Dammann Frères.
A little welcome gift was waiting for me with a nice note.
And to finish the traditional video tour.
In the end I found the experience a step down from my previous stay, mainly due to the temperature issues but not only. I must also take into account that Olivier who had been upgraded to the same type of room but in a higher floor, just below the bar/restaurant was bothered until late in the evening because of an event for which these areas of the hotel had been privatized and the consequent noise that it generated.
The hotel facilities
I wasn’t too bothered during my previous stay when I noticed that the hotel’s gym was still not open. These are things that happen when a hotel opens, especially with the impact of the pandemic. But the fact that it is still not operational two months later, in October, is surprising, to say the least, and constitutes a real shadow in the picture this time.
The swimming pool, for its part,is always as pleasant and little frequented by the hotel’s guests.
We will even have the opportunity to enjoy the terrace.
Bars and restaurants
I didn’t test the hotel’s restaurant any more than the last time, unlike Olivier. Unfortunately for him it was the occasion to discover that the room service was not working in the afternoon! Unacceptable for a hotel of this standing.
Check out
I checked out seamlessly on the mobile app, which allowed me to leave the hotel without going through the front desk.
Conclusion
The Renaissance Bordeaux is an excellent property with enormous potential. But we were surprised by some details that were acceptable during the opening period and are not acceptable a few months later. Approximations to correct imperatively.
In the end I came out relatively satisfied but not as enthusiastic as during my previous stay.