Looking at the photos, you might think this hotel is straight out of a Disney movie, but thankfully it’s very much more grown up than that. Located in between the vineyards of Bordeaux and Cognac (see what I mean), Chateau de Mirambeau feels like it really does belong in a fairytale. After a rather glorious drive from our previous hotel stay at Château Cordeillan-Bages (also highly recommended), we pulled up at the hotel, which immediately left us gasping and the warm welcome made us feel immediately at home.
On arrival we were greeted with a refreshing complimentary welcome drink which was served in the most stunning room, the Grand Salon. It was around 34 degrees outside when we arrived and so this was exactly what we wanted. Bordeaux and the surrounding areas can be extremely hot in the Summer, so booking hotels with outdoor swimming pools or pre-booking winery tours and tastings (for hydration of course) is highly advisable during these months.
After a quick check-in later, we made our way to our room, though not before passing the magnificent grand staircase which is worth climbing, even for a quick photograph.
Admittedly I didn’t quite realise our room would be so far in the building and not in the main house as such, but it was very close to the pool and spa area which came in very handy. We were staying in one of the superior classic rooms which are located in the Orangery. Furnished with precious fabrics, these rooms were perfectly adequate and gave us a very restful nights sleep. We also loved the warm welcome of canelé and macarons.
A big bonus to this room is the exceptionally large bathroom, adorned with marble and featured an excellent shower room. Complete with Relais & Châteaux spa products, both this bathroom and room we thought were exceptional for the price we paid (under £200 a night).
Once settled in, we set off to enjoy the sunshine and see exactly what this property has to offer outside. Set in a beautiful 8-hectare park which is full of things to see, the surroundings of this hotel really do make for not only something special, but a slice of history. With towers, gates and turrets dotted all around the exterior wall which looks down over the villages, it’s amazing to know you’re walking on what was once an 11th century medieval fortress.
Walking along that castle wall, you’ll stumble past a small church which looked like the perfect setting for an intimate wedding, filled with stained glass windows which filled the room with so much colour.
A little further, take the steps back down to the hotel level. There is what seems to be a slightly unused driveway lined with trees which we really didn’t expect to be so breathtaking – it was perfect for a spot of Instagram photography.
If there was one thing we regretted not doing here, it was eating in the restaurant (sadly we’d already had a huge tasting menu at lunch elsewhere). The castle restaurant, serves up some of the best French cuisine in the area I’m told, inspired by the richness of local markets, with an emphasis on the products of the sea of the Gironde estuary. For those lucky enough to eat here, choose to eat in the most sumptuous dining room I’ve ever seen, adorned with antiques, drapes and plush furniture.
Or if you choose, take your meal in the Veranda – Il Jardin d’hiver. A covered terrace with beautiful views of the outside fountain and lush green woodlands. In the summer months, the outdoor terrace is the place to be. We enjoyed a few glass of wine here during the evening and it was beautiful.
One particular feature of the hotel I loved was the Cognathèque. A room solely dedicated to showcasing some of the best Cognac produced in the area. A large antique bar cabinet, several upholstered leather armchairs, small tables and armchairs in front of a huge fireplace. Perfect for a cosy winter retreat or spilling out onto the terrace during the Summer.
After all that exploring, take yourself off to the hotels outdoor swimming pool or indoor spa which is located in the Orangerie. There’s a heated indoor pool and a jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and a refreshing ice shower. Not to mention an array of beauty treatments. The brand new “Le Jardin” Bar is also a great addition, serving snacks and light and healthy dishes (though service was a bit slow). If you fancy getting out of the sun for a few seconds, the secluded bamboo retreat was also rather glorious.
Even if I did forget to take a photo of my plate of food, breakfast the next morning was sensational. This continental style breakfast is housed in the most stunning of rooms and is filled with just about everything you can think of. Charcuterie, freshly baked breads, sweet treats, cereals. I couldn’t help but try everything I could possible eat that morning, but particularly memorable was enjoying it outside on the terrace in the warmth of the sun with a pot of coffee. It was utter heaven and left such a last impression on us before we got in the car and off to our next hotel – Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey by LALIQUE.
I’m sure can already guess, but we absolutely adored our stay at Chateau de Mirambeau. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, the hotel was absolutely stunning and if you’re looking for nothing but pure relaxation, it doesn’t get much better than this. In terms of improvements the hotel could make, we could find very little but perhaps service around the pool area could be improved and rooms like ours given a little refresher in terms of updating, but otherwise it was perfect. Would we come back? Absolutely.
This looks like its straight out of a fairy tale! Absolutely stunning!