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La Grande Maison Bernard Magrez, located in the heart of Bordeaux, is a new luxury hotel that combines elegance with sophistication and will not disappoint. The hotel features six luxurious rooms and two gastronomic restaurants by Joël Robuchon.
The hotel has been designed by Joël Robuchon and Bernard Magrez with the aim of transforming every guest’s dreams into reality, offering them a chance to share in a unique and sensational experience. ‘La Grande Maison’, originally a town house dating back to the beginning of the last century, is built in white stone and in the classical architectural style of the late 19th Century.
Passing through the great wrought iron gates, you enter the luxurious gardens, where Pliny the Elder, a two-thousand year old olive tree stands. The garden reflects the owners’ dedication to art and a nod to the Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute, which is opposite the hotel, with for example ‘The Earth’s Skull’, a Chinese sculpture by Chen Yuan. On entering the hotel, you are greeted by an elegant façade adorned with a moulding of the initials of Léon Duguit the lawyer who was originally responsible for the town house’s construction.
Behind the white stone masonry, the interior of the hotel reflects the grandeur of the time of Napoleon III, with high ceilings, tall windows, wall mouldings, exposed and opulent stonework and the majestic entrance staircase leading to the rooms. Removed from the glitzy over-decoration of many luxury hotels, ‘La Grande Maison’ features rare period furniture. The ostentatious austerity that some older establishments are known for has here been replaced by generosity and intimacy.
The six luxurious rooms themselves offer the perfect combination of charm, elegance and sophistication: fabrics, silks, colours, furniture, rugs and lighting create a unique interior with sumptuous comfort. The walls are draped in fabrics and large curtains adorn every window.
Decorated in pink, green, mauve, and raspberry, the rooms of ‘La Grande Maison’ play the seduction card. Everything is sophisticated and polished, draped and embroidered Braquenié silk from Pierre Frey, Houles lace, Moissonnier furniture, Horus taps, Carrara marble and grey travertine bathrooms feature throughout. Whilst each room has its own distinctive character, all retain the same, common theme of great wines – a nod to owners and to the passion d’une vie.
In the fine dining restaurant (of 42 covers) Joël Robuchon treats diners to an innovative and unique menu consisting of four courses made up of three very contemporary dishes, followed by an abundant traditional French dish and personalised dessert plates. The menu highlights some signature dishes, which have earned the chef his reputation, particularly the caviar jelly in cauliflower cream, candied tart truffles, duck foie gras with truffles en cocotte and celery fumet.
‘L’Olivier’, the second restaurant in the hotel has no set menu and with a small number of covers (24), creates a warm and inviting bar-like atmosphere, more relaxed than the fine dining restaurant, where customers can enjoy savouring a meal or a drink with a quick service at lunchtime. ‘L’Olivier’ is also the preferred spot for afternoon tea, featuring a selection of fine teas accompanied by sublime pastries and, at the convivial aperitif hour, flutes of great cuvées of champagne.
Just like a lunch or dinner at one of its restaurants, a stay at ‘La Grande Maison’ is, above all else, a unique and sensational experience. This is the true luxury of today, down to fascination with small details and special moments.
La Grande Maison Bernard Magrez is located at 10 rue Labottière, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
More information and booking information can be found at lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com.
Images courtesy of Deepix.
