Ibis Styles Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean

About 5 minute walk from the train station. Like any Ibis, it’s fairly simple but clean. Would stay again if it’s a short stay.

We booked this hotel a month in advance for our upcoming trip to Bordeaux. The reason that we booked this hotel was its central location and the reasonable pricing for the bookings that included breakfast. Our trust in the Accor hotel group was an important factor that shortlisted the hotel on our choices.The hotel photos promised a nicely decorated clean room and our expectation levels were minimal levels of comfort with reasonably comfortable and very clean rooms (which is how I would define Ibis brand). When we arrived at the hotel, it looked really derelict and the area didn't seem to be nice with lots of buildings around it under construction or semi demolished. We went inside hoping that it is not as bad as it looks from outside. The reception staff welcomed us in an efficient manner. They didn't mention anything about the welcome drink that I was supposed to be offered due to Accor All Silver status – there was no mention of the status but the staff offered something immediately when we mentioned this. As soon as we got into the room, we realised that we don't want to be in this hotel anymore. The room was tiny, a double bed and no place to even put your luggage or stand. The cleanliness was questionable; the windows and curtain full of dust, four flies dancing around, black spots on the walls and mould in bathroom surfaces. We tried to convince ourselves that we can stay here for "just" three days for 20 minutes but it became clear that we were hoping for a nice comfortable stay, not some room where we would be on the edge worrying about cleanliness and health. For this reason, for the first time in our lives, we packed our stuff, went back to the reception and said we are checking out no matter what but we would appreciate some refund at least for the nights that we didn't stay. The receptionist was kind enough to listen to our concern and agreed to pass our complaint to the hotel manager. A few hours later, the hotel manager emailed us saying that since we have a non-refundable booking, the hotel is not obligated to pay anything but as a token of goodwill they will refund half of the cost if I can send my credit card details. Stupidly enough, I sent my card details and still have not received any of the promised refund. The manager doesn't respond to the emails for a confirmation of the refund anymore and I changed my credit card details since the hotel completely lost my trust. Considering this experience, I cannot say anything good about this hotel apart from friendly and understanding reception staff. Avoid it if you can.

The Ibis Styles Gare is a very good hotel, near the train station where I arrived. The hotel is reasonably priced, reasonably modern, reasonably accommodating, and reasonably close to the tram lines. To review more particularly, first of all there were three Hotel Ibis signs that one can see from the train station; so it is very difficult to determine which one is the right one. When facing away from the station, one must walk to the hard right for the Ibis Styles on Tauzia Street. The breakfast (included) was ample and tasty. However, no one greeted me when I entered the empty breakfast room, but it seems that several ladies should have been there because they looked at me sternly when they discovered me. When I tried to take a cafe Cappuccino, the glass or cup next to the machine was much too small. The coffee overflowed the glass. I threw my hands up in exasperation. The clerk at the front desk who could see me from the desk came and showed me that they were big cups already on the table. C O I K. Of course, if I had seen the cups on the table as I walked in or if I had been greeted as I walked in, I would have known that I could get a cup from my then yet undesignated place. The room is well furnished and well provided, although the lighting leaves something to be improved. Because I needed to leave at 4 a.m., I was glad for a 24-hour front desk. However, the desk agent was often doing something in the area near the breakfast room. The staff was, nevertheless, polite and professional.

This review is for the Ibis Styles Hotel Gare Saint Jean, (please note there are 4 Ibis hotels all within close proximity of each other at the train station). I have used the Ibis hotel brand on many occasions in various countries, as they are basic, standard, and value for money, which suits when you are out and about all day and not spending any amount of time in the hotel. You also know what you're going to get with Ibis being a well known brand. This hotel was well below standard - it was like an old youth hostel. It was tired, dated, and I felt grubby and dirty. The rooms were very small, there was no wardrobe to speak of, just a boxed off location with 3 coat hangers. There was only one bedside table/shelf. Only one of the bedside lamp worked. The floor felt a bit gritty in places under foot and the bathroom was just dirty and needed a good deep clean. The shower floor tiles were dirty and the tile grout black. The toilet seat was stained and dirty looking. I actually bought a sponge and cleaner just to give it the once over but it was ground in. The room had a tv and a hairdryer in the bathroom but there was no safe deposit box for your valuables, there was no kettle for making coffee, so really very very basic. I ended up using the one plastic chair in the room as the other bedside table. The Breakfast was a continental breakfast and was absolutely fine. The staff were very friendly and they were constantly topping up the food, so there was always plenty even on a day we arrived for breakfast in the last half hour. The tables were pre prepared/set with horrible green plastic trays that contained a plate, cup and cutlery which felt prison like, in garish colours of yellow, orange and green. In the reception area there was a sofa area with a tv where they showed football matches and there was a small pool table too. Overall I wouldn't recommend this hotel, it was just too basic, tired and dirty as the pictures show. It's a shame because there is just no excuse these days for lack of cleanliness.

This hotel is what I classify as posh budget. My number one thing I look for is a good atmosphere at a hotel. This certainly had it as the staff were all very happy and welcoming and happy to help. The hotel was nice and clean. Our bathroom had a large walk in shower with rainfall shower head (plus standard). We were lucky to be upgraded to a family room so had loads of space and a sofa(bed). The bed itself was I think a Queen and comfy. The real benefit/bonus of an Ibis Styles is the included breakfast. There are so many options from fresh fruit, cereal to meat and cheese and pasties. The location is great too. About 100 metres over the road is Bordeaux’s train station. Just outside (or other way about same distance another stop) is the tram stop of 2 lines. 3 or 4 quick stops and you into the heart of Bordeaux’s tourist area along the river. I could not fault this hotel and we intend to go back.

We arrived at the hotel about 10.15am to ask if we could leave our bags. Ladoslav actually found us a room ready to check in. He was very friendly, helpful and instantly built agreat rapport with him, discusing the rain etc. He gave us an umbrella as he couldn't do anything about the rain lol. Just wanted to acknowledge the great customer service we were given by Ladoslav

The location was good, but the interior was neglected. The room was nothing like the photos. The bathroom was dirty, hair in the shower, the toilet had horrible brown markings at bottom. The wall in bathroom had a bottom piece missing. The description of the room mentioned air conditioning but set on heating for the whole building and could not be adjusted according to front desk. It was 18-22 degrees outside during my stay. Asked for a fan, none available. Tried to change the room could not do that either. Dirty outside at the entrance of the hotel. Windows dirty as well, just look neglected. The floor was dirty and even with daily cleaning of the room, it did not improve. Breakfast was good, although the quality of coffee was shocking. The staff was friendly and helpful. Not a good experience during a four day stay over. After this experience I doubt I would book with Ibis again. The cleanliness and maintenance are serious lacking.

We spent 7 nights here, found staff friendly enough, breakfast is ok, sleep was ok in room, we did have a couple of hiccups, a few times the room card did not work, and we had to change rooms after a couple of nights, but this was sorted very quickly, by the young lad on reception, the second room (305) was very roomy. The location is good, a few yards from the main Railway station, trams and buses. One thing is being British , I do like a nice cup of tea, alas the rooms do not have tea/coffee making facilities, and no bottled water. Although you can get bottled water at reception for 1 euro.