If you’re looking for a well-located, comfortable and practical base in Bordeaux with a bit more independence than a standard hotel, then an aparthotel might be just what you need.
I spent three nights at the Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux City Centre and found it a stylish, cosy place to stay with excellent access to the historic heart of the city and the many things to do in Bordeaux.
Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux: The basics
Staycity Bordeaux is an aparthotel, meaning you get the flexibility of self-catering with the convenience of hotel services like a 24 hour reception desk, breakfast and a bar.
I stayed in one of their smallest ‘Studio Mini’ rooms, which at 16m² is definitely compact, but cleverly designed to make the most of the space.
It sleeps two people and includes a small but well-equipped kitchen, a decent sized shower room and a comfortable bed. My room even had a little terrace looking out on a courtyard.
Staycity is a chain with 18 aparthotels across Europe, including places like Berlin, London, Edinburgh and my own closest city Manchester.
The location
Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux is on a pretty street (Google Maps link) with a slightly arty feel, just outside the city’s UNESCO-listed centre. It takes less than five minutes on foot to reach the beautiful Grosse Cloche tower and the start of the historic quarter, with its atmospheric streets, stunning architecture, and buzzing cafés. Like Toulouse, Bordeaux city centre is the kind of French city that makes you dream about what it would be like to live here, so it’s nice to be so close to the main sights.
Bordeaux Cathedral is about a 10-minute walk, while Place de la Bourse and the famous Miroir d’eau take around 15 minutes to reach on foot. For something a bit further afield like the Cité du Vin, it’s about 25 minutes by tram.
While you’re not in the middle of Bordeaux’s tourist crowds, the location is still very convenient and it feels central. There are local shops and restaurants nearby, and you’re far enough out to avoid the crowds and noise of the busiest areas.
The building has a classic old Bordeaux facade with that beautiful golden stone, but once inside, the layout is totally modern, with a large, airy reception and breakfast room/lobby. Once you’re past reception, the rooms open off a pretty external courtyard garden in a way that reminded me slightly of a motel, but with a much more polished feel.
Getting there
Getting to Staycity Bordeaux is really easy. Bordeaux Saint-Jean railway station is about a 25-minute walk or a short tram ride away, so it was perfect for arriving from Andorra (via Toulouse) and taking a day trip to the Dune du Pilat.
The closest tram stop is Sainte-Catherine, which is around 10 minutes on foot from the aparthotel. If you’re arriving from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the tram takes you from the airport to Sainte-Catherine in around 37 minutes.
The hotel does have a small car park but getting around all the things to do in Bordeaux is very doable without a car.
Arriving at Staycity Bordeaux
Check in at Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux was quick and straightforward. I arrived on foot from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station and the hotel was easy to find using Google Maps.
I’d completed the online check in before arriving, which saved time at the front desk. Staff were friendly and efficient, and I had my key in just a few minutes.
The room
My room was a Studio Mini, the smallest room they have at Staycity Bordeaux. It was a small but smartly laid-out space that packs in a lot. They also have slightly larger studio apartments for two, accessible studios, studio apartments with an extra sofa bed to sleep three and apartments for 4 people – great if you’re visiting Bordeaux with your family.
Bedroom area
The bed, which was large and very comfortable thanks to a Hypnos mattress, takes up most of the room but cleverly hides an enormous drawer underneath for storage – a really useful feature when you don’t have much floor space. It was pushed against one wall, which is something I usually try to avoid, and if I stayed again I’d probably opt for a slightly bigger room for a bit more comfort.
The headboard had power sockets and little cubbies to keep all my stuff organised. The TV swung out on a bracket from the wall so I could watch TV in bed and tucked away neatly when not in use.
I slept really well during my stay. The area was very quiet, especially at night, and the room was dark and peaceful. Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux is tucked away on a street just outside the historic centre, and although it’s close to everything, you don’t get any street noise.
There was a cupboard containing an ironing board and iron, and a hairdryer, which unfortunately was one of the ones that needed squeezing the whole time to keep it going but it worked fine.
Kitchen
The kitchen was surprisingly well-equipped for such a small space. There was a fridge with a freezer box, hob, microwave, oven, toaster, electric kettle, and even a Nespresso-style coffee machine (though I couldn’t get mine to work). All the essential pots, pans and utensils were provided, making it easy to prepare simple meals.
Despite its size, the room didn’t feel claustrophobic thanks to a big floor to ceiling window which opened out onto a small outdoor terrace with a table and chairs.
Bathroom
The bathroom was surprisingly large and left me wondering if they couldn’t have stolen a bit of the floor space to make the bedroom area a little bigger! There was a large walk-in shower cubicle, a heated towel rail and basic toiletries for my stay.
Facilities and service
The hotel feels fresh and modern, and it looked like it had only opened recently. Everything was very clean and well-maintained. Check in and check out were both smooth and efficient, and you have the option to check in online to speed things up.
The staff were friendly and helpful, and there’s a small communal area with sofas and tables which is a nice bonus – especially when some rooms are on the small side. There’s also a gym and free high-speed Wi-Fi, which worked very well throughout my stay.
I was totally exhausted after my long journey from Andorra so I really appreciated the ability to order drinks and snacks, including pizza, 24 hours a day from the front desk. You just order online and collect it yourself. It’s not quite room service, but it’s a handy option if you arrive late or just want something easy.
I was staying with my partner so being given a ground floor room was ok this time, although I would probably have asked to be on a higher floor if I was on my own. I felt safer than I would have done in a similar private apartment as there was someone on site all night.
Breakfast
I love a good hotel breakfast and find it often saves me money to fill up first thing in the morning. The breakfast at Staycity Bordeaux was mostly continental with cheese, sliced ham, bread, pastries and cereal, but they also had pancakes and scrambled eggs.
Hotel design
The design of Staycity Bordeaux is simple and contemporary, with clean lines and a calm colour palette. My room had a modern, neutral decor with neutral tones, soft greys and bright yellow accents that made it feel welcoming without being garish.
The communal areas followed a similar style, with comfortable seating, plants, and big windows giving it a relaxed but smart atmosphere. I didn’t get a huge amount of local flavour from the hotel interior but everything felt fresh and well thought out.
Where to eat near the hotel
There are plenty of great food options within a short walk of Staycity Bordeaux. For traditional French cuisine, Ô Saint Michel is a cosy bistro a couple of blocks away in the shadow of the lovely Saint Michel church and serves well-reviewed dishes in a relaxed setting. Just a bit further away, La Brasserie Bordelaise is popular for hearty classics typical of south west France.
If you’re after something special, Arcada is a modern French restaurant with exquisitely put together dishes. For something more earthy, La Tupina has been serving meat-heavy dishes since 1968 and has been recommended by Rick Stein.
Bordeaux isn’t the easiest city to be a vegetarian, but I had a tofu burger at Bogi and a delicious tofu bibimbap at Bibibap, both of which were satisfying and well-priced. Dis Leur is a vegetarian bistro with a menu which concentrates on seasonal produce.
If you fancy a glass of wine, there are bars and cafés all over the historic centre, particularly concentrated on and around Quai Richelieu on the left bank of the river Garonne (lots of happy hour offers), around Place du Parlement and around Place de la Victoire if you prefer a more studenty vibe.
Anything to keep in mind?
Because part of the aparthotel is housed in an older building, some rooms have quirky layouts. I noticed that a few have beds on mezzanine levels, which might not be ideal for everyone. If you’re booking, it’s worth checking the room details carefully to make sure you’re getting a layout you’re comfortable with.
Also, while the studio mini worked fine for the two of us for three nights, if you’re staying longer, you might prefer one of the larger apartments for a bit more space.
Final thoughts
Overall, I really liked Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux City Centre. It offered the independence of a holiday rental with the convenience of a hotel, in a location that made exploring Bordeaux easy and enjoyable. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a clean, modern and practical base that doesn’t feel too corporate. I’d happily stay here again – though next time I might book a slightly bigger room!
