All Suites Appart Hotel Pessac

The mid-range All Suites Appart Hotel Pessac does exactly what it says on the box. It is housed in a nondescript white building similar to any other chain hotel in the outskirts, and although it is overall neither stylish or unique, it offers all the basics for those visiting the Bordeaux area for business or leisure. Decked out in brown floor tiles, gray and red vinyl seating, and blond wood furniture with clean lines, the lobby is functional rather than chic, setting the mood for a rather impersonal yet comfortable stay. Though it is especially popular among business travelers and extended-stay guests, the All Suites Appart Hotel Pessac also draws plenty of couples and families wanting to save some cash by staying outside of the city center. 

Rates are competitive, and rooms with kitchenettes and modern bathrooms add value. However, its location a 15-minute drive from central Bordeaux makes it a less ideal pick for travelers wanting to explore the main tourist sights. In the same price range as the All Suites Appart Hotel Pessac and also offering apartments with kitchenettes, the Appart’City Bordeaux Centre is a decent alternative within walking distance of the center. Rooms here, however, are older and more basic. For a little bit more money, Hotel des Voyageurs is a better option, with simple yet comfortable rooms and a great location a short walk from most of the city's attractions.  

The hotel is in a rather isolated commercial area right off the highway that goes all the way along the western coast to northern Spain. There are plenty of restaurants and shops within a short walk of the hotel, but central Bordeaux is a 15-minute drive away, and the area is pretty empty at night, when the car dealers and other businesses that surround the hotel close for the day. The bus to the city center stops right down the block from the property, and there is a tram station about a 10-minute walk away, but it can take up to 45 minutes to reach the city center by public transport. The hotel is about a 10-minute drive from Bordeaux-Merignac Airport.

The hotel has 110 studios ranging from Single units for solo travelers to connecting rooms for up to four guests. All are spacious and comfortable, with generic, contemporary decor that combines laminate floors, gray accents on beds and curtains, and all-white furniture with clean lines. While the design is rather run-of-the-mill, the overall feel is fresh and modern, and large color photos, chocolate-brown backsplashes in kitchens, and bright pops of red add a touch of style, as do accent walls in some units.

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning and heating, and work desks. Double sofa beds are available in larger units. Kitchenettes are equipped with mini-fridges, electric kettles, double cooktops, microwaves, toasters, and a range of pots and pans. However, apartments lack living and dining spaces, which can be uncomfortable for those planning to eat in often. Bathrooms are spacious and modern, with walk-in showers, heated towel racks, and a selection of basic toiletries. 

The All Suites Appart Hotel Pessac offers a good array of on-site features for a property of this caliber. A simple albeit tasty breakfast buffet is served every morning for a fee in a light, spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows located on the ground floor. A vending machine in the lobby is stocked with basic snacks and drinks for purchase, but the hotel lacks a full restaurant, and room service is not available. The gym is small but appealing, with a handful of modern cardio and strength-training machines, natural light, a flat-screen TV, and towels. Adjacent is the sauna, which guests can use free of charge on request. The hotel also features a good array of amenities for business travelers and extended-stay guests, including coin-operated laundry facilities, a meeting room with audiovisual equipment, and a business center in the lobby. Outdoor parking is available free of charge, and guests can park their cars in the underground lot for a daily fee. Pets are welcome for an additional charge per night. While front desk remains unstaffed overnight, late arrivals can be arranged.