VISIT - BURDIGALA: FIVE STARS, A THOUSAND LIVES (France)
To celebrate summer, the Journal des Palaces takes you far from the hustle and bustle of Paris and the traditional Mediterranean coast to settle down near the Atlantic in Bordeaux. First stop: the recently renovated five-star Burdigala. |
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VISIT - BURDIGALA: FIVE STARS, A THOUSAND LIVES (France)
To celebrate summer, the Journal des Palaces takes you far from the hustle and bustle of Paris and the traditional Mediterranean coast to settle down near the Atlantic in Bordeaux. First stop: the recently renovated five-star Burdigala. |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy
- Tourism
Article written by Romane Le Royer on 2025-06-16
 Le Burdigala, in the heart of Bordeaux's Mériadeck district, reopened in 2023 after two years of extensive renovation work.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
In this dynamic of renewal, the Hôtel Burdigala occupies a unique position: that of a pioneer who has chosen to reinvent itself without losing its identity.
A historic name, a reinvented spirit
Burdigala. Bordeaux, in Latin. A name steeped in history, evoking a discreet continuity in the Bordeaux hotel landscape. Opened in 1988, the Burdigala became the first hotel in the ‘sleeping beauty’ city to be awarded five stars in 2009. Since 2016, it has been operating under the Inwood Hotels banner, with the ambition of attracting a clientele that appreciates more accessible luxury without compromising on quality of service.
The building, faithful to its original architecture, still bore the traces of its era, with spaces that deserved to be reinvented to meet new uses. For this reason, the French group decided in 2021 to launch a major renovation project, which will require the property to close for two years.
The 2025 version of Le Burdigala bears little resemblance to the hushed property it was just a few years ago. Gone are the rigid spaces, the formal reception area and the restaurant hidden at the back of the lobby. Here, everything has been redesigned, relocated and softened. French interior designer Fabien Roque was appointed to lead the reconstruction, bringing his expertise and a fresh, modern vision.
The property offers Bordeaux a unique vision of luxury: more intimate than ostentatious, more open than formal. Completely redesigned, the five-star hotel focuses on quiet elegance, fluidity of use and the pleasure of taking time. A place where you feel welcome, without ever being overwhelmed.
Upon entering, the impression is not that of stepping into a cold, luxurious world, but rather into a contemporary home – a townhouse bathed in light, with clean lines and soft textures. The materials form a coherent whole: marble, light wood, golden brass, deep carpets, and soft curtains. There are no flashy effects: the luxury is discreet, sensory, almost introspective.
The central atrium, overlooked by a glass roof that captures natural light even on cloudy days, is the beating heart of the place, in line with Fabien Roque's vision. A succession of comfortable armchairs, coffee tables and modular corners invite you to settle down, for an hour, a meeting, a coffee or an afternoon's work. The space lends itself to all rhythms, with remarkable fluidity.
Rooms like refuges
The same philosophy runs through the floors: creating a sense of calm without boredom. The 83 rooms, including suites and duplexes, are available in three colour schemes: saffron and ochre yellow, ink blue and deep brown. In each room, brass light fixtures diffuse warm light, blackout curtains close silently and cushions play on a range of textures.
The rooms, starting at 20m2 for classic rooms and up to 50m2 for duplexes, are designed as cosy nests that are both functional and elegant. The suites (up to 60 m²) feature two separate spaces: a living room and a bedroom, separated by a bathroom. Ideal for a family stay or simply to relax. The dressing rooms are spacious, and the padded headboards invite you to read. All rooms feature Terre de Mars toiletries, a French organic brand that uses recycled coffee, a chic and ethical touch. Some windows overlook the rooftops of the Mériadeck district, a lively residential and business area with distinctive 1960s architecture, while others look out onto a quiet street.
Living spaces beyond the bedroom
But it is in its shared spaces that the Burdigala most singularly reveals its identity. Here, you can play PlayStation 5 in a cosy lounge. There, you can leaf through a graphic novel in an alcove. Board games, a well-stocked library, quiet or lively corners: the place is alive and evolves throughout the day. You'll meet digital nomads, couples, groups of friends and locals in meetings.
A little further on, a 22-seat private cinema awaits its audience. Black velvet, plush armchairs and a state-of-the-art projector. The space is free for guests staying in suites or duplexes, or can be hired privately (with popcorn, drinks and a charcuterie board). Twice a week, the cinema opens to the public: French classics and recent American blockbusters are screened in a cosy atmosphere, offering a change from traditional cinemas.
The property also offers seven seminar rooms opposite the main building, in ‘L'Atelier du Burdigala’. These modern, modular spaces can accommodate up to 400 people. Corporate events, intimate meetings, private parties: the hotel can adapt to any format. A rooftop bar with a green terrace is in the works, adding a summery touch to this already rich offering. These spaces already have a bar, the Billy Bar, for more convivial moments.
An independent restaurant, designed for everyday dining
Outside, on a quiet street, a glass entrance reads ‘Madame B’. This is the Burdigala's restaurant, but without the trappings of a hotel restaurant. Everything has been designed to make it a destination in its own right. With seating for around 40 people, the dining room is bright and airy, with a refined yet relaxed design.
In the kitchen, chef Grégory Vingadassalon creates à la carte menus. Customers can choose between two and five savoury or sweet dishes, depending on their appetite. The menu changes every fortnight, according to the season and what's available. It features traditional dishes with a twist, perfectly cooked and served with carefully crafted sauces, always using local produce.
At lunchtime, the clientele is mainly external, often local professionals. In the evening, the restaurant is more intimate, attracting couples and groups of friends looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the boulevards or the old town.
A gentle sense of well-being, reflecting the setting
At Le Burdigala, well-being is part of the overall experience: elegant, discreet and attuned to each individual's rhythm. A bright gym equipped with state-of-the-art machines in a functional and calm space is available at all times, offering a moment to disconnect or get back into shape. At the same time, bespoke face and body treatments are available directly in your room, in partnership with a professional practitioner. Relaxing massage, revitalising ritual or signature treatment: the approach is personalised, confidential and faithful to the spirit of the house. The hotel will complete its offering with the eagerly awaited opening of a spa in the basement, designed as a sensory, mineral and enveloping cocoon. This marks a new stage in the hotel's controlled evolution towards ever more comprehensive luxury.
Luxury that doesn't show itself
In this new Burdigala, guests don't just come to spend a night in a five-star hotel. They come to experience something. Luxury is not a matter of decorum, but of atmosphere, attentiveness, and flexibility.
In low season, the hotel does not stand still. It welcomes guests, organises events and continues to animate the local scene. After-work gatherings, film screenings, private hire: local visitors take over the atrium and the rooms. Even when tourists are few and far between, the hotel remains alive.
By restoring hospitality to its urban roots and creating a dialogue between the codes of luxury and everyday life, the Burdigala has established itself as a model of balance. It is a hotel that understands that elegance no longer lies in the silence of its corridors, but in its ability to open its doors.
 The Burdigala is designed to be flexible, with large tables and cosy corners for any time of the day or evening.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
 The hotel rooms feature a warm, contemporary design, combining light wood, soft textiles and soft lighting to create an atmosphere that is both elegant and welcoming.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
 The Burdigala suites feature a living room separate from the sleeping area.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
 The Burdigala offers seven conference rooms in its ‘Ateliers’, which can accommodate up to 400 people at a time.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
 The hotel’s restaurant, Madame B, welcomes both hotel guests and external visitors in a light-filled room.
Photo credit © Hôtel Burdigala
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