Can anyone recommend a nice Gite/appartment complex within 30 minutes or so from Bordeux?
Myself and my wife and 12 month old are seeking a 10 day break and it is the most accessible low cost airport from my part of the UK.We were thinking of a 4 star hotel but perhaps self catering would be easier with a child.The only must is a swimming pool.Any advice?
Many thanks
Mike

Try www.gites-de-france.fr

In case you're not familiar with the area, I'd look at places around Arcachon and Cap Ferret, on the Atlantic but about a 25-minute drive into downtown Bordeaux.

Straen,

FYI, it's actually spelled Bordeaux; you might need that for a search engine.

My friend Babette, who hails from the Bordeaux region, recommends looking for accommodations in the small town of Bleye (which has its own wine appellation).

Thanks for the replies
I've had a look at various Gite sites,but none seem to have a pool which is essential for a water mad 12 month old.Alternatively ,does anyone know of a 3 or 4 star with a pool for a maximum of 200 euros a night,no more than an hour's drive fromBordeaux?

Alistair Sawday's book, French Bed & Breakfasts (www.sawdays.co.uk)lists:

Le Prieuré in St-Quentin-de-Baron, an old priory with 1 triple, 3 doubles, garden and pool

Château de la Grave in Bourg-sur-Gironde, 18th-century working wine château, with 3 triple rooms and a pool

both well under $200 a night.

There's also the Villa Térésa in Arcachon

and the Hôtel au Logies des Remparts in St-Emilion

Does anyone have any experience of the Hotel Chateaux de Sanse about 15 minutes east of St Emillion?I understand it's out about an hour from Bordeaux?Is it remote?We will have a car but would prefer to be within walking distance of some shops and restaurants,but otherwise it looks ideal
Mike

Since you use the word Gite, I assume you have been on www.gitesdefrance.com. If not, that is the best way of sorting through the self catering gites available, many of which have swimming pools.

Since the Château de Sanse sits in the middle of a 5-hectare park, one might consider it "remote." It depends on what you consider walking distance. The town of Sainte-Radagonde is small but does have some shops.

By remote I take it that a car is essential?Anyway any reviews of the hotel and the Hotel Des Ramparts in St Emillion?Finally,can anyone suggest a 3 or 4 star hotel near Bordeux airport for our last night prior to early flight.Many thanks to all Fodor experts for your help
Mike

straen:

A car is going to be essential for this whole trip in the Bordeaux/St-Emilion area, unless you are going to be IN Bordeaux proper, which it didn't seem from your previous posts that you were.

There're no particular interesting hotels near the Bordeaux airport in Mérignac that I know of, just the usual Ibis, Bleu Marine, Sofitel, Campanile, and other chains.

What are the hotels like?

Anyone?