Residhotel, Bordeaux Hotels

Once known as ‘La Belle Au Bois Dormant’ (Sleeping Beauty), Bordeaux’s graceful neo-classical buildings have been restored, the leafy boulevards pedestrianised and the city of vintage wine is now wide awake. Picturesquely set on the banks of the River Garonne, this lively university city has pretty parks and squares, impressive museums, buzzing cafés and chic shops, not to mention a plethora of gourmet restaurants to accompany the fine wines.