Hotel La Zoologie – 4*

REGION : Bordeaux
ATMOSPHERE : City
STYLE : Urban jungle
CATEGORY : 4*
ROOMS : 40 rooms

An urban oasis

Do you never miss an opportunity to visit Paris’ Gallery of Evolution? Do you thoroughly enjoy taking in the world’s most beautiful Natural History Museums whenever you can? So do we! This led us to comb the Hexagon for the perfect refuge for inspired mammals, leading us to Zoologie. Located in Bordeaux, just a few minutes from the Saint-Jean train station, this 40-room 4* hotel has a unique tropical reserve atmosphere. The site takes its name from the once abandoned former zoology institute of Bordeaux, to which Hélène and François Touber (HotelsT group) have offered the most spectacular of metamorphoses.

THE FIRST WING, GEOLOGY, is clad in wood, while the Botany wing, with its greenhouse-like appearance, features a plant wall. Each one deploys its style according to its dominant discipline, subtly multiplying practiced nods: animal benches and details in the zoology section, luxuriant panoramic panels in botany, and a telluric atmosphere and primary colors in the spirit of Le Corbusier in geology. There is nothing uniform about it. Each of the 40 rooms is unique, decorated with mischief, poetry and… a path finder’s approach. We warn you: a simple glass façade, and at times nothing at all, separates rooms from bathrooms. That’s our little tip to those who disfavor feeling stark naked.

THIS MUSEUM-LIKE SITE IS WORTH A VISIT for the mere discovery of sculptures, travel and maritime expedition souvenirs, photos, art objects, ethnic pieces and naturalized animals exposed throughout. It is also, above all, a spirited place with terraces, a mini botanical garden, restaurant, bar, spa, fitness room and roof-top. Ideal for a drink at the height of the animal kingdom.

To do

RESTAURANT – The kitchen-workshop on the first floor will seduce carnivores and leaf eaters alike with zoobowls, duck burgers and traditional Bordeaux recipes crafted around hyper-local ingredients. Brunch on Sundays.
ECAILLER – Taste-wise, the sea is not forgotten, as a second restaurant offers fruit platters, Aquitaine caviar, and ceviche for those who love salty savors.
SPA & FITNESS – Electric treadmill, rowing machine and bicycle outfit the fitness area; hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and two treatment rooms dedicated to wellness rituals from Origine.
BAR – In front of the superb central oak bar-island, benches, armchairs and sofas are scattered with a view onto André-Meunier square. A cabinet of curiosities vibe to be enjoyed from morning to afterwork hours, including at teatime.
ROOFTOP – Perched over the Geology wing, a superb eagle’s nest for chatting under the sun and the stars.
GARDEN & TERRACE – In a nod to the great tradition of historical botanical gardens, the hotel’s garden has been planted with rare and lush species (bougaivilliers, palms, cycas…) inspired by the tea route. Like an oasis in the city.

The surrounding area

• Culture and heritage (quays of the Garonne, public and botanical gardens, Science and Nature Museum, CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art, Palais Gallien, Quinconces esplanade, the Water Mirror, the Cité du Vin, the Big Bell, the Museum of
• Decorative Arts and Design, the Base Sous-Marine and the Bassins de Lumière, the Darwin eco-system…)
• Food tour at the Marché des Capucins, in one of the many wine bars or to discover the starred restaurants (Le Pressoir d’Argent by Gordon Ramsay **, L’Oiseau Bleu*, L’Observatoire du Gabriel*, Le Quatrième Mur*, Tentazioni*, Garopapilles*, Le Pavillon des Boulevards*, Soléna*…) and the city’s various bistronomic restaurants
• Shopping (antique shops, fashion, decoration…)
• Escapes to Arcachon, the Basque country or the Landes coast
• Wine tourism (visits, tastings, exhibitions, workshops…) in local wine castles