Nestled away in the heart of Pauillac, Château Cordeillan-Bages is a hotel situated in the in village of Bages, Bordeaux. Think fine-wines, endless vineyards, Michelin starred cuisine and total relaxation. In short – a little slice of heaven.
As for the properties history, the chartreuse is a mansion dating back to the mid-19th century and its two oldest turrets date all the way back to the 17th century. The property then opened as a hotel in 1989 and has been a member of the Relais & Châteaux group of hotels since 1992. As you approach the entrance, its grand, beautiful and you just know it’s going to be special. My airline actually lost my luggage flying in (so you could imagine the stress), but I felt so relaxed once I’d arrived here.
We checked in at reception, which was no more than a few moments and was quickly whisked away to our room down the hallway….
We were staying in one of the premium rooms which I must say for the price, was very generously sized. Approximately 312sqft, this room was incredibly modern which was a stark contrast to the exterior – but it seemed to somehow work incredibly well. A large wardrobe as you enter the room, an airy bedroom, beautiful views looking into the grounds and a king size bed which will have you not wanting to leave it (it’s that cosy).
I loved the view onto the gardens from our bedroom window as the sun shined down onto the bed and smell of sweet flora drifted in.
The lavatory is in a separate room in the bedroom and the bathroom is separated by just a piece of glass (no doors). At first, it looks as thought it doesn’t give much privacy but with the touch of a button, the glass magically mists up creating a completely secluded wall from the bedroom. The shower was very large and very powerful, complete with Relais & Châteaux spa products, robes and slippers.
The grounds here at Château Cordeillan-Bages are absolutely stunning too. There’s a large vineyard, detailing the different grape varieties grown, outdoor seating areas to admire the views and if you’re feeling energetic – bicycles to hire and take out for the day. Perfect if you’re planning on visiting some of the local châteaux for a spot of wine tasting.
Back in towards the main entrance, there are some really lovely lounges to spend an afternoon or pre-dinner drink in. Filled with art, some stunning pieces of furniture, floral wallpaper and of course those views looking back onto the grounds.
My favourite room was the conservatory style lounge. Perhaps a little hot in the summer, but there was still something very relaxing about it. A big open space, with lots of room, picture perfect views once again and a slightly more modern decor compared to the other lounges. This feels like a really grown up hotel which I loved.
Once we settled in, we took straight to the outdoor swimming pool as we were hungry and the 30 degree sun was shining.
Words can’t even describe just how peaceful and relaxing it was here, especially once a generous charcuterie platter arrived with freshly baked breads and an excellent bottle of Bordeaux red wine which we enjoyed at the edge of the swimming pool. There’s a press for service button on the tables which we thought was a nice touch incase more drinks, food or anything else was needed.
For those looking for things to do here, there is so much on your doorstep – but most importantly the Village of Bages (five-minute walk). The village is the brainchild of Jean-Michel Cazes and is dedicated to the wines and tastes of the Pauillac region. This quaint village offers a bistro (read my review of the wonderful Cafe Lavinal HERE), bakery, grocery store, bazaar and bike workshop – all arranged around the pretty central square.
If you fancy staying even more local, the hotels one Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant shouldn’t be missed. Course after course of pure perfection, led by the very talented young head chef Julien Lefebvre. Read my full review HERE.
The morning after, really not wanting to leave we enjoyed one more gastronomic experience – breakfast! It was so lovely sitting outside on the terrace restaurant amongst the vines, enjoying the continental breakfast. Which was of course delicious. Excellent selection of breads, cheese, hams and very good juices. The perfect way to end our stay before heading out to explore the rest of what the region has to offer. Would we come back to Château Cordeillan-Bages? Absolutely!
