If you are going to visit Bordeaux, home to some of the world's finest wines, you may as well stay in the city's finest accommodation. The five-star Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa delivers on all fronts - an ideal central location, stunning 18th Century architecture and enough luxury facilities to make you dizzy.
Featuring 150 rooms, including 22 suites, it's bang opposite the almost mirror-image of the Grand Theatre.
The top three floors are given over to a spa, including a suspended indoor swimming pool offering counter-current swimming under a glass roof, which lets out on to a beautiful rooftop terrace with a bar, Jacuzzi and views across the World Heritage-listed city.
Rooms are sumptuous in a period way, well-equipped with high-tech goodies and terrific views across the Place de la Comedie, if you choose one at the front.
The under-floor heated marble bathrooms is a luxurious bonus.
There is a Michelin-starred restaurant, a more casual brasserie and a buffet breakfast.
Of key interest to lovers of the grape, the hotel has just inaugurated a Wine Concierge service, which caters to dunces and connoisseurs alike (and includes Cognac).
You tell them what you like and how deep your pockets are and they will arrange appropriate chateaux visits for you, including, if you are in the market, the "Big Five".
These are Chateaux Margaux, Haut-Brion, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton-Rothschild.
They will facilitate all sorts of wine tastings, wine dinners and even delivery of purchases.
The price of the buffet breakfast is included within the room price, but where separated out, this usually costs 72 euros for two.
Rates: Superior rooms from €250.
Tel: +33 5 57 30 44 44