Checking Into Moxy Bordeaux: Where Brutalism Meets Pink Playfulness
Part of the Marriott portfolio, Moxy is known for its bold, playful personality and signature pink touches.
The Bordeaux property is located at Bacalan in the northern part of town, an up-and-coming area with hip music venues and food joints that match Moxy’s character perfectly. A short walk from the contemporary Cité du Vin museum (which offers parking) and the tram stop in its namesake, Moxy is housed in a hulking Brutalist block in a concrete exterior of dusty pink with a theatrical entrance by the eight historic silos from a 19th-century factory.
Guest Rooms
Moxy Bordeaux’s guest rooms follow after their boxy exteriors, maximising the compact space. Whilst not as luxurious with separate sleeping and living areas, there was ample space for our (large) suitcases and charging docks, which was already more than most European hotels.
Like most French hotels in large cities, we were able to snag a Galeries Lafayette city map in the lobby bar, which included gift vouchers if you hit the tax refund threshold. And how cute is the Moxy key card?
The suede and matte black hardware added nice industrial furnishings to the room, which also came fitted with motion-activated LED guidelights and a wall-hanging rack to keep storage off the ground. Bonus points for the bright and minimal bathroom with a massive walk-in shower.
Our room had a serene view overlooking the Bordeaux Port and submarine pen, which we enjoyed waking up to and offered much privacy.
Facilities
Bar Moxy
If not for the pink logo above the bar table, it would be entirely possible to waltz into the lobby and wonder where the front desk was. A heartbeat of the Moxy brand, the bar breaks the expectations of a conventional hotel stay by doubling as a front desk to greet you upon arrival, offering cocktail shots to accompany your room key and ease you into a holiday mood.
The bar also has a menu of hand-crafted drinks and small bites, including rillettes and homemade brownies, for ordering and enjoyment in the communal spaces or on the outdoor terrace. When we were in Bordeaux, it was the Rugby World Cup 2023 France, and the floor was absolutely buzzing with good vibes from the live game in the evening.
If your stay includes a breakfast option, you can fuel up with the buffet before heading out for a day of adventure. It stocks hot and cold selections, including vegetarian and gluten-free products. Or, if you’re feeling peckish throughout the day, you can also order nachos, burgers, or wings to satisfy those cravings. Nothing like a good snack when on holiday, right?
Communal Areas
The lobby also features a “plug and meet” co-working area with speedy Wi-Fi and USB ports for guests to stay connected (not that there isn’t Wi-Fi in your room). And if you want to chill and soak up the scene, you can take advantage of the board games and foosball.
If you want to chill and soak up the scene, you can take advantage of the board games and foosball. We loved the massive corkboard in the corner, where the Moxy staff had put up a beautifully illustrated city map of Bordeaux and pinned the business cards to all their favourite spots across town (not unlike a crime board with red thread). It was a fun, organic touch that livened up the space even more and made it feel more homey.
Thoughts
Initially, we had second thoughts about Moxy’s slightly out-of-the-way location, but Bacalan turned out to be a tranquil and safe part of town. It’s next door to the Cité du Vin, the famed museum of wine, Les Halles Bacalan, a food hall for gourmet bites, and the submarine pen complex that hosts cultural events among war-laden history. It’s pretty much where all the lesser-known but equally good stuff happens. And if you hop on the tram, it’s only 15 minutes to go downtown to Quinconces, where the more traditional tourist spots and shopping streets are.
All things considered, Moxy was a steal for the location, especially compared to its 4-star neighbour, the Renaissance Hotel Bordeaux. While Moxy may not offer the most amenities, it hits the sweet spot between design and fuss-free comfort for travellers who expect to spend most of their day exploring– you get everything you need and nothing you don’t so that you can save on costs and splurge on experiences. It’s a stylish, upbeat splash of pink friendliness that guarantees a sociable, pleasant stay.
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