Le St James

Connoisseurs of fine wine, fine dining and daring modern architecture adore Le Saint-James, poised above Bordeaux on the east bank of the Garonne. This is a hotel that can be a blissful oasis, or a super base for shopping and sightseeing in Bordeaux or exploring some of the world's great vineyards. And no wonder. This is French hotelkeeping at its best: the kind of discreetly attentive service that France does so well, fine dining combined with brasserie informality, and a wine list to kill for, all in gorgeous surroundings. For a less formal meal, the hotel's own bistrot, Café L'esperance, is a short walk away, on Bouliac's quiet main street. Le Saint-James is on the outskirts of pretty Bouliac, which feels as if it's in the remote heart of the Dordogne but is only ten minutes from central Bordeaux. At night, there's a stunning view of the city's glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Michelin-starred restaurant, where the menu is influenced by the terroir of Aquitaine and the wine list features – alongside Bordeaux's big names - the hotel's own Vin du Jardin, from its four-hectare vineyard. Outside, next to the vineyard and surrounded by floweruing shrubs, is a huge, stylishly black, pool – heated, so you can swim regardless of weather. Bedrooms are coolly quirky with touches like comfortable sofas in the shape of giant baseball mitts. Outer walls are mostly glass, so rooms are deliciously light. Triple glazing and powered blinds ensure a good night's sleep. In-room perks include fluffy robes and Eau d'orange verte toiletries, and it's a pleassant surprise to find that soft drinks and beer from the minibar cost no more than in a local café. As for the architecture: Jean Nouvel's rusted-steel pavilions, inspired by the old tobacco barns of Bordeaux , would raise howls of protest in the Costwolds. Here, they're listed by the ministry of culture as part of France's 20th century patrimoine.

 

Written by Robin Gauldie

• Swimming Pool
• Small Outdoor Pool
• Good wine list
• Meeting Room
• Sauna/Steam
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Bar
• Parking
• Safe
• Wifi

• Conference facilities
• Free wifi
• Hot Tub
• Suites
• Disabled access
• Room service
• Garden
• Restaurant

• Museums
• The Museum of Aquitaine is just five miles away and gives visitors a wonderful range of history of the region.
• Wine tasting
• Explore Bordeaux's rich wine culture by taking vineyard tours and tastings, arranged by the hotel.

• Cooking classes
• The Saint-James cookery school is a must for anyone with an interest in the local French cuisine.

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Because of its unique architecture, fine dining and a location that makes discovering the region easy and stressless. What is there to do in the area? Visit Bordeaux, the beautiful City with the amazing Cité du Vin. Visit St Emilion and the Médoc, the wine capitals of the world. Visit Arcachon and Cap Ferret on the Atlantic coast. What kind of breakfast do you offer? Full buffet breakfast, with a chef in the dining room to cook your eggs ! Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We have 2 restaurants, a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant and a bistro. Which are your most popular room types, and why? The suites – very spacious and light rooms with designer furniture and great views. What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? Extra beds can be put in certain rooms. Special amenities on arrival and in the rooms are prepared for children. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Visit a unique hotel with only one wish that we have here – make guests happy !