Being a keen enthusiast of the famous cosmetic brand Caudalie for many years, and always on the lookout for new discoveries in the world of luxury, I naturally decided to spend a few days at the Sources de Caudalie.
2 pm: A Princely Arrival at the Estate
Located about twenty minutes from Bordeaux, this hotel is truly a source of rest, relaxation, and pleasure! Even the arrival is fantastic; on one side you can see the Château Smith Haut Lafitte surrounded by vineyards, and on the other the hotel building, featuring an authentic and luxurious style. The lobby sets the tone, with a very charming antique décor that makes me want to learn more. The personnel is very professional, worthy of a five-star establishment.
There are 40 rooms and 21 suites, each with a unique design. The room where I’ll be staying has a splendid balcony with overlooking the lake; they take well-being seriously here! The marble bathroom is well-supplied with Caudalie brand products (shower gel, shampoo, lotion, and even face cream and masks…).
3 pm: Time for Some Wine
A small part of this afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of the château! There are about ten of us following our guide for over an hour through the beautiful wine cellars. We finish the tour with a tasting of two of the best wines, to our delight. There are several types of tours offered, to match whatever your expectations might be; some are focused on tastings, while others are mainly centered on the contemporary works of art scattered throughout the domain.
4:30 pm: Relaxing at the Spa
The late afternoon is devoted to relaxation and exploring the spa. It’s an unforgettable and very upscale experience that I’d welcome you to read more about in this post.
8 pm: Dinnertime!
After a full afternoon, it’s time for some refreshment! The Michelin-starred restaurant “La Grand’Vigne” is unfortunately unavailable (today is Tuesday, the day it closes), so I’ll have to return someday to try Chef Nicolas Masse’s cuisine. I head out instead to “La table du lavoir” with its bistro ambiance.
The restaurant is magnificent, and unique in its genre: a huge fireplace generously warms the room, in which small tables are placed between antique washtubs. I feel transported, and can’t help but fall in love! The cuisine keeps its promises, with refined dishes accompanied by a glass of the château wine. For dessert, a French canelé pastry, profiterole-style, provides the perfect ending to the meal.
9 am: Waking up Gently
After a night of restful sleep, I wake up to a breakfast in bed. My room is so pleasant that I choose to enjoy my breakfast on the balcony.
10 am: A Walk in the Woods Vineyards
Despite the coolness of the morning air, the sky is blue as I take a walk through the vineyards. The reception desk has drawn up a route for me so that I won’t get lost in the domain’s many pathways. I could have opted to take one of the bicycles that they graciously lend to customers—another time perhaps.
12 pm: Immediate Take-off
It’s now time for me to go, as there are so many things to discover in this region: first there’s Bordeaux, just a few kilometers away and a magnificent city to explore, then the village of Saint Emilion just a bit farther down the road, with its own remarkable charm (I actually stayed at the château Grand Barrail there). For those in search of a seaside ambiance, the Arcachon basin is only 50 km (30 miles) away.
In a thoughtful gesture, the porter makes sure to hand us two small bottles of water for the road. Nothing grandiose, but gestures like these really make it feel like a five-star experience. In conclusion, the Sources de Caudalie hotel gets a perfect score! I’m already excited to return! It’s an establishment that I absolutely recommend, ideal for a couple’s weekend or a spa slumber party with friends.
Since the summer of 2014, the hotel has expanded with the addition of 12 exceptional suites, featuring a mix of contemporary and vintage elements. These are larger (55 m², or 592 ft²) and can welcome up to four guests (ideal for families or larger parties). A gourmet grocery has also been added: Nicolas Masse has selected the best products in southwestern France to taste at the store or to take home. I’ll have to try these new experiences the next time I’m in the Bordeaux region!
Practical information
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About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.