Having decided we were suffering from the January blues – not much going on and holidays planned seemingly a long way off – we decided to cheer ourselves up and go away for a long weekend.
weekend.
Being SLH members one is always tempted by their email newsletters and it prompted us to rootle through the guidebook to find a suitable short break away. Living in South West France we decided a trip by car was preferable to getting on an airplane and we fell upon the idea of revisiting Bordeaux. About 40 years ago my husband trained in the wine industry in and around Bordeaux and it’s many beautiful chateaux, so what with the chance to revisit the city, explore some of the vineyards and stay in a hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant as well as a world renowned Spa, the decision was made.
Despite the fact it was minus 9 when we arrived and continued to be bitterly cold throughout the weekend, the welcome was warm. As SLH members we were given an upgrade to a Prestige room (number 27) overlooking the charming lake and the main hotel. The lake had 2 swans gliding serenely around it and there was a fascinating little creature sitting on the edge, called a Coypu, which looked exactly like Ratty out of the Wind in the Willows!
We had lunch on the first day sitting in front of a roaring log fire in the bar area, a very good club sandwich and a cool glass of Smith Haute Laffite white wine – perfect. During the afternoon my husband went off in the car to revisit some of the Chateaux in which he had trained and I toddled off to the Spa area for a facial. The spa was beautifully run, immaculately clean with very good smiley staff and the young lady who looked after my treatment certainly was well trained, courteous and knew her products well – in fact it was bliss! The Spa was obviously busy but there was a calm atmosphere as clients were gently ushered to and fro.
We had dinner on the Friday evening in the bistro styled restaurant – La Table du Lavoir – again sitting in front of an impressive Bordeaulaise style fireplace with another large log fire which was much appreciated by the diners in view of the outside freezing temperatures. The staff were attentive, the waiter spoke perfect English (we learnt he had worked in several very well known establishments both in the UK and the USA). The dinner menu was simple but of excellent quality and again we tucked into another very fine bottle of Smith Haute Laffite wine. Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny and we had breakfast in the main restaurant overlooking the lake and vineyards, a very good buffet selection was on offer with delicious home made bread and pastries. During the day we went into the centre of Bordeaux – under 20 minutes from the hotel – such beautiful architecture. With the help of the receptionist and the support of a good map supplied by the hotel we found all the places we wanted to visit. On our return we had afternoon tea in our room, excelled quality Earl Grey tea with lemon and the most yummy bite sized cakes.
On Saturday evening we had dinner in the Michelin starred restaurant, La Grand ‘Vigne, a truly elegant dining room, tasteful and refined in decoration with again attentive, knowledgeable staff. Dinner was superb; we had one of the set menu’s (Plaisir Gourmand), three courses of deliciously presented with naturally another delightful bottle of Bordeaux wine.
So our spirits re-lifted, feeling relaxed, replete and revitalised by our weekend in such a super SLH hotel we have decided we must return to see the vines in full bloom and experience this hotel and all that the area has to offer another time.
As the hotel has been well advertised since its launch some years ago, we knew that it was supposed to be a nice place but the experience was much more than that. We felt immediately welcomed by the most courteous staff you can dream of …and if the external grounds look good, the interior decoration is a delight. Each meal, be it at breakfast time or lunch or dinner was exquisite. And not forgetting the spa experience. We were so enthusiastic when we came back that we told several friends about this short stay. We know that some of them have already planned to go and others have already booked!