InterContinental Bordeaux - Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel

Arriving Friday night, outside tables. Lots of vacant tables, but no attention from waiters as we were waiting by the gate. We sat down by one of the vacant tables - and suddenly we got attention afterall. And the waitress told us loud and clear that in France no one just took a table without waiting to be seated. I wanted to say that where I come from I am used to attentive and pleasant staff. But I didn’t. And if the table was vacant - why bother to bully the guests? She even started to clear the table demonstratively, before we had finished our wine. Of course we should have left, instead of letting us be treated like a dog poop under her shoe. Wine and food was ok. The waitress was not.

The Hotel is in a fantastic position breakfast is hopelessly organised 1st morning no table for 20 minutes and staff rude. Room excellent though.

The hotel was centrally located across from the opera house and near the tram station. We found the staff to generally be unfriendly. They did their jobs but were not welcoming. Our room overlooked the opera house and tram rail. In the evening we could hear loud music playing until late in the evening. There was a music festival of some sort near the hotel. We could also hear people below our room talking because the restaurant and check in were there. During the day we could look out and see homeless people, one with a dog, sleeping by the doors of the opera house. In the morning a truck with a hose washed down the area and another machine came to sweep up the trash. The trash cans were overflowing on most days. Across from the hotel was an Apple Store on the street with most of the nice shopping. It was a pedestrian walkway with only the tram and bicycles to watch for.

Situated in the heart of Bordeaux, the Intercontinental was the perfect place to stay. It's an easy walk to many of the best sights in the city. Although we didn't take the modern tram to any more distant places, it runs directly in front of the hotel. The hotel staff was helpful and friendly. Our room (402) had a rather elongated layout, with separated bedroom, entryway, and desk areas. It had a small bathroom and a separate commode. The water temperature in the shower fluctuated quite a bit. As a bonus, our room had three separate balconies, with nice views over the city. A refrigerator, safe, and tea/coffee maker were provided. Breakfast was good, although preparation at the egg / omelet station was rather slow.

This hotel has an outstanding location opposite the Grand Theatre and a 2 star Michelin restaurant from Gordon Ramsey. You would expect that a luxury hotel chain would operate it. Unfortunately it’s run by Intercontinental. The rooms and public areas are tired and old fashioned. Below in the photos you will see: a) Poor finishing in the room with a piece of wood stuck behind the bed. b) Wiring below the TV on display. c) The leaking shower which not only went from boiling hot to cold to hot again due to poor plumbing but leaked on the floor. d) Old furniture and fittings. e) A lumpy bed. In addition a reception team who lacked real flexibility when we enquired about paying for an upgrade from our current room to a room with a separate shower. We have Platinum Ambassador Status in IHG AND we’re booked by Virtuoso. Both give upgrades subject to availability. If they had wished the Reception Team have the possibility of a double upgrade according to our agent; they clearly decided not to. Overall I would not recommend this clearly four star hotel. We’ve also stayed at the Mondrian Bordeaux which was excellent but not so central. Until the hotel owner puts their hand in their pocket to modernise this hotel; stay somewhere else.