Chateau du Palanquey & Spa Review

Our Verdict: “Peaceful vineyard hideaway with unbeatable wine-country walks”

Chateau du Palanquey & Spa sits in the heart of Bordeaux wine country, wrapped by vineyards and quiet country roads that make you slow down whether you intended to or not. The property offers an intimate, boutique stay with a strong wellness edge, from its spa and indoor pool to its peaceful garden terraces. For being a “special stay”, it received a Michelin Key award in 2024. With Saint-Emilion on one side and Castillon on the other, the hotel acts as a perfect base for tasting, walking, and exploring without ever straying far from a glass of something interesting.

In this review:

• Hotel Summary
• Location
• Check-in
• Our Room
• Facilities & Services
• Food and Beverage
• Check-out
• BG1 Verdict

Hotel Summary

Name: Chateau du Palanquey & Spa
Location: Sainte-Colombe, Gironde, France
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: –
Loyalty Programme: –
Room: Suite Vignoble
Price bracket: £££££
Good for: Couples
Accepts pets? Yes.

Location

The location of Chateau du Palanquey & Spa is the biggest draw and easily one of the reasons travellers return. The hotel sits in a natural bowl, completely surrounded by working vineyards. It also happens to sit directly on the border between the Saint Emilion AOC and the Castillon AOC, so you can wander between two appellations on foot and sample both styles without ever turning on the ignition. Several Grand Cru Classé estates are less than ten minutes away on foot, including Chateau Fauges with its strikingly modern wine-making facility. If you fancy a longer wander, Premiere Grand Cru Classé Chateau Valandraud is a 20 minute walk from the accommodation, and the route takes you right past the elegant grounds of Chateau de Pressac. Few rural hotels manage this combination of tranquillity and walkable wine adventures.

Check-in

Check-in at Chateau du Palanquey & Spa was relaxed and personal. Melanie, the owner, welcomed us warmly, and our dog, and gave a full tour of the property before taking us to our room. It was a helpful orientation, especially given how many different areas the house has to explore. Parking was easy, so arrival was smooth from the moment we stepped out of the car.

Room

Our room in the Chateau was spacious, stylish, and perfect for settling into a slower rhythm. The private terrace and hot tub overlooked neat rows of vines, and the direct outdoor access made things easy with a dog. Inside, the super king bed came with crisp cotton bedding, and the room included a sofa-style day bed, desk and chair, Nespresso machine, drinking water, TV, and a wardrobe with a safe and bathrobes.

The bathroom was generously sized with a walk-in double shower, double sinks, a separate WC, and a surprisingly powerful hairdryer. Air conditioning kept the room cool by day and warm by night, and an iron and board were available on request. Everything felt well considered and comfortable.

Facilities & Services

The facilities at Chateau du Palanquey & Spa encouraged you to wander through the house at your own pace. The open plan layout created several distinct zones, from the characterful dining room and kitchen to the lounge and games room.

The spa was a standout feature, with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and dedicated massage rooms. Local grape-seed oils made an appearance in treatments. Outside, the estate offered an outdoor pool, picnic tables, a boules area, and quiet spots to read with a glass of wine. Service throughout the stay was warm and attentive, and the small size of the property meant plenty of peaceful moments where the place felt nearly private.

Bars & Dining

A small selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks could be purchased from a self-serve fridge, including bottles from both nearby appellations. Notably, they had their own blend produced in collaboration with Château Angélus.

While lunch and evening meals aren’t usually offered at the property, there’s one exception worth planning around. Once a week, the owner hosts a four course dinner and invites all guests to join. During our stay, the menu was priced at 75€ per person, plus drinks and wine. It felt like the sort of dinner party you’d hope to stumble into on a countryside escape.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Chateau du Palanquey & Spa was available daily for a charge and came with all the classics done well: fresh pastries, eggs to order, fruit, yoghurt, and local jams. Complimentary tea and coffee were available throughout the house, which was ideal for early risers.

Check-out

Check-out was straightforward and unrushed. Standard departure was 12pm, and Melanie had already prepared our bill for us. We were offered one more complimentary coffee before hitting the road, which made driving away a little easier after such a restful stay.

BG1 Verdict

Chateau du Palanquey & Spa is quiet, calm, and deeply relaxing, with a location that’s hard to rival. Very few places put you in such peaceful countryside while still being able to walk to several high calibre vineyards. We enjoyed many walks and early morning runs through the beautiful landscape. Add thoughtful, hospitable service, a quiet spa, and suites designed for comfort, and you’ve got one of the most rewarding boutique stays in the region.

Why not follow follow us on TikTok and Instagram.