Any suggestions for 3- to 4-star hotels in Bordeaux centre city? Thanks.

Yes, Etche-Ona and Bayonne (though I think the Etche-Ona was closed for awhile for renovations and not sure it's up and running again).

Both are/were owned by the same family - the Parinauds. The Etche-Ona has a very old Basque feel to it. The Bayonne was quite modern. Both are in the city center near the main sights and easy walking distance to the rue Ste-Cathérine, a huge, long pedestrian street full of shops, cafés, and in warm months outdoor musicians.

TD - we stayed at the Best Western near the station - not the very nicest area but safe enough and very near where the airport bus deposits one.

Also it was very convenient for the tram [which whizzes you into the centre of Bordeaux and beyond if you wish in a matter of minutes] for trains if you are using one to travel onward, and for the car hire offices which are all at or near the station.

otherwise a central hotel would also be good. The centre of Bordeaux is full of interesting streets with shops, bars, restaurants - there was one street absolutely jam packed with them. And the cathedral was interesting.

Yes, I really liked the Hotel Majestic in Bordeaux. It was excellent in many ways, very pretty hotel, within a half block of the airport bus and a tram stop from the station which run along a park. And you can easily walk to many restaurants and some of the sightseeing attractions in that area (like the Grand Theatre).

http://www.hotel-majestic.com/en/

Yes, as St. Cirque mentioned above, we reserved at the Etche-Ona, but then we were moved to the other around the corner, The Bayonne, where we had a lovely large modern suite at the same reserved cost, a bathroom with a tub and another with a shower. Three nights in September. Both were on quiet alleys right off the "Golden Triangle" and were ideal for walking in all directions. We loved our three nights in Bordeaux. Don't miss the Aquitaine Musee, so well laid out in chronological/historical order. Our rental car remained parked underneath the Grand Hommes circular shopping mall which was about a block from the hotel, very secure and easy to access. It is a Best Western chain member, we also stayed at them in Limoges, Sarlat, and Toulouse. Excellent and friendly service.

Another vote for the Majestic. Stayed there in October and was very pleased with its location accommodation.

Meant to write location AND accommodation.

Many thanks!

We stayed at this upscale B&B just a 10 minute walk from the central area. We enjoyed staying in a quiet neighborhood with a tram just a short 1/2 block away. http://www.chez-dupont.com

The rooms were large and unique with the staff friendly and knowledgable.

That looks like a WOW, gailscout. Thanks, I'll check it out.

We did not eat at the restaurant Dupont, probably because they were booked, it was a holy day weekend or we wanted to be in the city center. But we did find a really cool bakery - ancient with an extremely unique oven - just a few blocks away - http://www.au-petrin-moissagais.info and there is a Jean D'Alos cheese shop near the tram stop.

Hi TDUDETTE,

Glad you are planning another European sojourn. Is this another art adventure? Looking forward to your trip report...

Hi, Latedaytraveler!

In our few trips to Paris, DH and I missed Giverney and Bayeux so those are on my list. Wine country and Sarlat are also on the itinerary. A promise to friends to help paint is overdue so I will bring my paint brush!

Thanks for your kind words.

gailscout, that area sounds nice. Bakery and cheese shop!

Just to follow up, I did check the sites all of you recommended above. The Majestic called out the most and I have reservations for it.

Many thanks!

Glad you made a decision, TDudette. We stayed at the Majestic 10 years ago and I found it charming, but my traveling companions did not. Some of the rooms were noisy - those on the side street by the opera. Enjoy your stay!

Thanks gailscout. After a fireworks show outside our window in Pisa, I always ask for a quiet room in the back!

I don't recall where my room was in the Majestic, but it wasn't noisy--I think it was overlooking the street. I don't remember the opera being next to it, in fact, isn't the opera two blocks away? I guess the back of the opera building is on the same street, but a block away. Perhaps I was there at a quiet time, also, the street never had many people on it and it's not a main street (rue de Conde).

Thanks, Christina.