Seeko'o

It’s not at all what you expect from Bordeaux, frankly — against this medieval backdrop, the Seeko’o Hotel looks like the product of some advanced alien technology, or, according to the architect’s vision, like a pixelated iceberg packed in between the weathered 18th-century facades of the riverside waterfront. In fact, context aside, it’s not quite as outrageous as all that. Think of it as a transmission from the planet of the boutique hotels, finally arrived in this very traditional French city.

And it’s been a long time coming. The nearby quaysides are home to some other modern developments, and a bit of a dining and nightlife scene as well. It’s a good time for some new blood, tourism-wise. To that end, Seeko’o’s 45 rooms are sleek and minimalist, with sprawling king beds, monochrome finishes, modern electronics, and jetted bathtubs, built for two.

A sauna and steam room provide a bit of relaxation, but Seeko’o is more focused on the slightly more licentious pleasures of its cocktail bar. As is so often the case in France, there’s no restaurant, though room service is available for the better part of the day — the standard disclaimer, that food and wine are not exactly in short supply in the surrounding neighborhood, goes double in Bordeaux.