Le Juliano

Location was great, bistro was good Room was very basic

On the night before my flights to Spain I have usually stayed in hotels next to Bordeaux airport. However, staying in modern chain-owned “plastic” hotels and eating in franchised restaurants around the periphery of the airport becomes a little monotonous so I decided to have a change. Carbon-Blanc is not the prettiest of suburbs but I was attracted to Le Juliano by its easy access to the airport, the abundance of street parking and the look of the restaurant. Borne out of experience, my expectations of traditional hotels like this wasn’t that great. And it ran true to form. They seem to view their hotels as an add-on to their restaurant business. This was typically drab and uninviting – narrow dark three-flight staircase accessed from the back of the restaurant, loose-fitting door into the room, extremely drab décor and bedding. Nothing missing apart from aircon, just not inviting. I think I was the only hotel guest but the restaurant was busy. It was a standard menu, not totally to my taste but very nice. However, my stomach didn’t take kindly to the meal and I was up all night. I was in no condition to move very far the next morning. The manager kindly allowed me to stay in my room until midday, following which, after a dose of loperamide, I apologised to the manager and dragged myself to the car to slowly drive to the airport just a few kilometers away. It was a great location to stay the night before a flight from Bordeaux airport and the hotel was as expected. No more, no less.

Heart of the town. Friendly reception. Basic, room (11) downstairs. Décor neutral, The room and shower is fitted out for disabled people which was OK but a surprise. Modern glass ‘art-nouveau’ style sink in the bedroom. Bed felt firm and was reasonably comfortable. The usual French only TV. We decided to eat in the Bistro rather than driving out. The meal was really good. We had the duck which could not have been bettered anywhere! We also had breakfast which was untypical French; No pan chocolate, only 2 croissants, 2 butters, bread and coffee. There was also 2 small jams. Neither were to our taste and we asked if they had any other fruits – no – but she brought us an extra butter!!! Still the bread was fresh and the coffee good. The downside though was the hotel side, the WIFI – we were able to connect the phones but not the Lap-Top and, the next morning; no connection to the phones either. So, a big no, no. From about 5 a.m. onward people were coming and going and every time they did a door banged shut. There was no shower gel and the room was all a bit ‘ordinary and UN-appealing’. There was nothing really wrong with it. It just felt, underwhelming. Although, to be fair, the staff were friendly enough to counteract the downsides.

Perfect location with a very handy car park only 20 metres away. Excellent staff, great value for money and delicious coffee with breakfast. The Brasserie is lovely, good atmosphere, wonderful service and menu.

Pleasant