Written by Nadège – 5 min read
A weekend with no other purpose than the urge to sleep somewhere that breaks from the usual chain hotels: we headed to Chartrons, where Mondrian has set up in a 19th-century wine cellar completely reimagined by Philippe Starck. A 5-star hotel unlike any other in Bordeaux, both in its architecture and in the way it tells the story of the city.
What is Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes?
Opened in late 2023 at 81 Cours du Médoc, Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes occupies the former Calvet wine cellar, a 19th-century building once used to store wine before shipping. Philippe Starck turned it into a 5-star hotel with 97 rooms and suites, right in the heart of the historic Chartrons district, blending old stone, noble materials, and nods to Bordeaux’s winemaking heritage.
The property holds the Clef Verte 2026 label and eco-certified partner status from the City of Bordeaux, which isn’t all that common for a hotel in this category.
Our stay at Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes
Which we room did we get?
We had a Signature Queen room, booked through Staycation, just like during our stay at the Cabot Bordeaux hotel, for instance. The rooms aren’t huge, but they’re beautifully decorated. We loved the atmosphere and the understated luxury, right down to the bathroom.
What makes it stand out
The difference obviously comes from stepping into a 5-star hotel. The welcome delivers, without overdoing it. On top of that, it’s hard to stay unmoved by this converted wine-cellar architecture, with its high ceilings, original stone, and Starck-designed furniture. The garden and terrace, right in the city center, offer a kind of breathing room you won’t find at most addresses in the historic center.
We also come back for lunch at the Morimoto restaurant and for the thoroughly indulgent breakfast buffet, with unlimited hot drinks, lattes included.
The real perks…
What about dinner?
The Morimoto restaurant is a lovely bubble of its own in Bordeaux, both for the food and for the escape it offers the senses. We actually wrote a whole article about our dinner at Morimoto.
What about breakfast?
The breakfast buffet is easily one of our favorites in Bordeaux. Service is quick and friendly, the spread is varied, and drinks are unlimited, lattes and other hot drinks alike. There’s even matcha! We loved it so much that we came back one morning with our daughter just to enjoy that delicious buffet again.
Would we come back?
For the spa, since we didn’t get the chance to try it this time. But also simply for the pleasure of staying at Mondrian Bordeaux, whose atmosphere we particularly love. And for breakfast, obviously. The one downside: parking at 40 euros a night.
Activities
At the hotel
The hotel’s spa brings together a hammam, sauna, a 45 sqm heated indoor pool, and treatment rooms using myBlend and Nougatine products, along with a fitness room open 24/7 to guests. The pool, lit by large windows overlooking the terrace, is open from 8 am to 8 pm. On the dining side, Morimoto Bordeaux rounds out its restaurant with a cocktail bar and a sushi counter facing the open kitchen, plus a 180 sqm terrace for sunny days.
Nearby
Chartrons is a convenient starting point for exploring Bordeaux’s riverside quays and their former wine warehouses, now converted into galleries and shops. La Cité du Vin is reachable on foot or by bike, and Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, the hotel’s sister property, also redesigned by Philippe Starck, makes for a good way to extend the visit into the vineyards, just outside Bordeaux.
Photo Gallery
Mondrian Les Carmes Hotel: FAQ
Does Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes belong to a major hotel group?
Yes, the Mondrian brand is part of the Ennismore group, also present in Doha, Cannes, Ibiza, and Hong Kong.
Does the Morimoto restaurant offer vegetarian options?
Yes, the menu includes several meat- and fish-free dishes, even though the overall concept is built around traditional Japanese cuisine and its ingredients.
Can you use the spa without being a hotel guest?
It’s best to check directly with the spa before booking a treatment, as this can vary depending on the time of year.
How far is the hotel from the airport and the train station?
About 35 minutes by car from the airport and 20 minutes from Gare Saint-Jean.
Is Mondrian Bordeaux a good fit for a family trip with a preteen?
It suits an adult or a couple looking for design and calm more than a family with young kids: the hotel doesn’t offer activities specifically aimed at younger children, though the pool and garden are pleasant for the whole family.
Practical Information
The details
Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes Hotel
Address: 81 Cours du Médoc, 33300 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 35 54 10 84
Website: mondrianhotels.com/bordeaux-les-carmes
About 35 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Gare Saint-Jean.