Yndo Hotel

You will feel like an aristocrat in this beautiful mansion, complete with its own tower and pretty courtyard, now a five-star hotel in the historic heart of Bordeaux.

Owner and designer Agnes Guiot has deftly combined the original panelling, ornate mouldings and parquet floors with striking and witty contemporary art and furnishings, such as accent chairs shaped like whales’ tales – while the dozen bedrooms (each with its own character) all have king-size beds, iPads loaded with a city guide and well-stocked minibars.

It’s luxurious, welcoming and in a great location, on the fringes of the city’s elegant 18th-century Golden Triangle.

Other pluses include free bikes for guests, a high-end restaurant focusing on seasonal ingredients and local wines, and warm staff for whom no request is too difficult.

It’s expensive but worth it.