Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre

Housed in one of the classic limestone buildings in downtown Bordeaux, this hotel is a quaint value option in the heart of the city. An iron-and-glass awning tops the entrance to this six-story stone building, making a fine vintage statement. Somewhat surprisingly, interiors have a more modern look and a nice dose of personality, which is refreshing for the Choice Hotels brand. Guests enter through glass doors into the small lobby that features stone walls, a tile floor, and modern art hanging on the walls. Two pairs of red-velvet and black-leather chairs add color and give guests somewhere to sit, and a large mirror covering one wall makes the space creates the illusion of spaciousness. Reception is down a few stairs and off to the left, and there's also a charming lounge with a bar that stays open late -- it's popular with guests for a nightcap. Because of the hotel's city center location, it appeals to all types of guests, with business travelers seen more often during the week and couples, families, groups, and individuals coming in on the weekends. 

This hotel is situated on a mostly pedestrian street in the center of Bordeaux. The block itself is quiet, but there are shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife in almost every direction. In fact, the city's main shopping street, Rue Ste.-Catherine, is just around the corner. The Opera National de Bordeaux is just two blocks north (a three-minute walk), while beautiful Place de la Bourse takes under 10 minutes to reach on foot. The Eglise Notre Dame, Bordeaux Cathedral, Porte Cailhau, La Grosse Clochen can all be reached in less than 10 minutes on foot as well. It's a 15-minute walk to Basilique St.-Michel and Quartier St.-Michel -- there are plenty of narrow lanes here to explore there and the church's spire is the tallest structure in the city. Bordeaux-Merignac Airport is about 25 minutes away by car or 50 minutes by public transportation. 

There are a variety of room types here, and while most hotel rooms in central Bordeaux are on the compact side, Cosy Rooms at this Quality Hotel are small. Space aside, rooms are all pleasantly modern, with bright decor that makes them a nice upgrade from many sister properties in this value brand. Decor throughout the rooms is fresh, with modern built-in IKEA-style furniture that maximizes the limited space and is done in fresh light wood veneer surfaces with clean lines. The color palette in most rooms relies on bold shades of red and purple against a white backdrop, while contemporary nature photography hangs on the walls. The heather-gray curtains with eye-catching flower prints complete the cheerful look. All rooms include air-conditioning, Nespresso machines, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and safes. Classique Rooms offer a little more space, and Executive Rooms come with a sofa bed and small seating area. Views are of the backs of neighboring buildings, or out onto the street below, though none are exactly remarkable. Bathrooms are modern, with black-and-white tiles and walk-in showers or shower/tub combos plus small wall-mounted sinks, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries.

As a city-center value hotel, features here are limited. A breakfast buffet is served daily in the sunny breakfast room and includes a selection of hot and cold items, or guests can opt to have breakfast delivered to their rooms. Unfortunately breakfast incurs a separate charge. No other meals are served on-site, but the hotel has a partnership with two nearby restaurants that provide room service for lunch and dinner. The on-site bar is open late, and guests can sip their beverages in a library-like area with books on shelves and leather tub chairs, or in a lounge space with flashy red-velvet chairs and ottomans. Two computers and a printer and there's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. A meeting room can accommodate up to 35 people. There is no parking on-site, though parking is available in the neighborhood for a fee. As the hotel lacks a fitness center, the hotel has arrangements with a nearby gym for free use -- it's just one block away.