La Maison D’Estournel, Médoc Exemplifies The Best of French Hospitality

An 18-meter heated pool is a welcome addition to La Maison D’Estournel. The deck is lined with deckchairs for spying on the vineyards over a glass of vin rouge. You can hire one of the hotel’s electric bikes and go for a zero-effort cruise for a closer look at the grapevines and beyond – there’s more than wine waiting for you in Aquitaine.

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Chic boutique lodgings in French Wine Country

 

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Varying from 21 to 29 square meters, guest accommodations at La Maison D’Estournel are bathed in natural light. An earthy palette reflects the greens and reds of the surrounding vineyards and sets the tone for a relaxing vacation in French Wine Country. Cos rooms are angled to catch the morning sun flowing through floral curtains and beds have velvet upholstered headboards for maximum comfort. These superior rooms also have shower units inspired by oak wine barrels. Before you get your hopes up, definitely just water in the pipes

For a more romantic experience, book a junior suite. Views stretch as far as the eye can see – almost as far as the Atlantic – and a vintage tub stands separately from the ultra-modern curved shower. Suites with a private terrace or balcony are the pièce de résistance. These provide a tad more living space and an excuse for a second Nespresso.

Children are welcome at this elegant hotel although there isn’t much in the way of entertainment. The rooms, food, and facilities are geared toward couples and small adult groups. Older kids may however appreciate the wealth of outdoor activities in the Bordeaux wine region.

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Bordeaux wine and Gascony gastronomy

 

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La Maison D’Estournel guests are invited to book exclusive cellar tours and tastings at the hotel’s winery, Château Cos d’Estournel. The design of the so-called “Maharaja’s Palace” is the 2:0 of the hotel where Indian elephants and other motifs are a reminder of the founder’s links with the country. It’s not what you’d expect from a Bordeaux winery in this otherwise traditionally French region.

It’s not only lip-smacking wine that draws folk to the Médoc. This complex terroir is ripe for foraging and agriculture. Menus tend to be split equally across land and sea with a token vegetarian dish. The La Maison D’Estournel restaurant serves haute cuisine in a relaxed environment. Expect a truffle-based salad followed by pan-seared duck breast dressed in a mother sauce followed by the area’s legendary strawberries. Even if you opt to eat off-site, all rates include a buffet breakfast served in the restaurant or on the patio.

Feasting your way through the area’s seasonal specialties is one thing. Booking a culinary experience elevates your stay in Gascony. The hotel organizes cooking masterclasses at a nearby mansion where a professional chef will spill their secrets over a lunch tasting and wine pairing. Sweet tooth? You may find the macaron workshop more to your taste. This hands-on class teaches you how to make bite-sized Parisian cakes while you sip Champagne.

Active and cultural pursuits around Bordeaux and the Médoc

 

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Wine has accelerated tourism in this part of France but you have more to do than swirl cabernet sauvignon. Aim high with the hotel’s private hot air balloon flights over the vineyards and coastline. These start at 1,840 euros (around $2,011) for groups of up to four and are perfect for special occasions. Besides pootling around the vineyards independently, La Maison D’Estournel runs guided electric bike excursions to see the Dune of Pilat, Europe’s tallest dune system, and cycling trips to meet the oyster farmers in Arcachon Bay. Renting a car is a must if you prefer to explore independently or fancy enrolling at the local surf schools.

The city of Bordeaux is a one-hour drive south of Saint-Estèphe. A day is sufficient for seeing the plazas and monuments of this designated UNESCO World Heritage site and grabbing a bite on buzzing Rue Sainte-Catherine. Boat rides, kayaking, and paddle boarding tours run seasonally on the Garonne River and there are plenty of museums for a rainy day.

It’s also worth having the hotel arrange a taxi so you can spend an evening bar-hopping the pulsating Bacalan quarter. Your swish mansion suite is just 30 miles up the road when you tire of the big-city energy.

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