Perched high above Bordeaux’s historic docklands, Gina Rooftop Bordeaux has become one of the city’s most sought-after culinary destinations, an experience that morphs elevated Italian cuisine, vibrant cultural programming, and breathtaking panoramic views. Central to this success is Cédric Decaudin, General Manager of the Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel, and the visionary force behind Gina’s meteoric rise.

A true innovator in hospitality, Cédric has transformed a once-industrial site into a dynamic “innovation laboratory,” where creativity, strategy, and human-centered leadership converge. His bold approach has not only positioned Gina as a standout destination, often surpassing the hotel itself in recognition, but also earned it a place among the Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ TOP 100 Restaurants of the World for 2025.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, leads our interview, bringing over 17 years of expertise from the Luxury Lifestyle Awards and deep insight into the evolving world of luxury.

Alexander Chetchikov: Gina Rooftop has become a standout brand in Bordeaux. What was your vision when creating Gina, and how did you ensure its unique identity?

Cédric Decaudin: When we created Gina, the ambition was never just to open another rooftop restaurant. Bordeaux already offers many beautiful venues, but very few that truly create emotion.

Our vision was to design a destination rather than a venue, a place where people don’t just come to dine, but to feel something. From the very beginning, we wanted Gina to embody a certain energy: vibrant, warm, slightly unexpected, and constantly evolving.

Its identity comes from a very deliberate blend. Italian cuisine, because it speaks to generosity and pleasure. A strong aesthetic, inspired by the light and textures of the Bassins à Flot, where we are located, one of the trendiest districts in Bordeaux. And above all, a strong cultural dimension, with live music, DJ sets, comedy shows, cooking classes, pool parties, and curated events that bring rhythm and life to the space.

But what truly defines Gina is the balance between sophistication and accessibility. It’s a place where you can celebrate a special moment over a beautifully crafted Italian dinner, or dance to the beats of a renowned DJ during an intimate sunset show, while also simply enjoying a cocktail tailored to your taste with your friends. That duality is what makes it unique and what allows it to resonate so strongly with both locals and travelers.

In the end, Gina was built as a living brand, not a fixed concept, something that can constantly reinvent itself while staying true to its core: creating memorable experiences driven by emotion, people, and a strong sense of place.

AC: Being named one of the TOP 100 Restaurants of the World for 2025 is a major achievement. What do you believe sets Gina apart on a global stage?

CD: Being named among the TOP 100 Restaurants of the World is, of course, a great recognition for our teams. But more than an award, it validates a vision we have been building day after day.

What truly sets Gina apart on a global stage is not just one element, but the coherence of the entire experience. The location, first of all, is perched above Bordeaux with a unique 360° view. The cuisine is rooted in Italian tradition yet expressed with a modern, generous approach. And the atmosphere, which evolves throughout the day and night, from laid-back lunches to vibrant sunset moments and high-energy evenings.

But beyond the physical elements, I believe what makes the difference is the emotion we create. Today, luxury is no longer about formality or exclusivity alone; it is about connection, authenticity, and memorable moments. At Gina, we focus on creating a sense of belonging, whether you are a local regular or an international guest discovering Bordeaux for the first time.

Finally, our strength lies in our ability to constantly reinvent ourselves. Through our programming, our events, and the energy of our teams, Gina remains a living destination, always moving, always surprising. And I think that dynamic, combined with a strong sense of place, is what resonates internationally. 

AC: You’ve described the Renaissance Bordeaux as an “innovation laboratory.” How does this philosophy shape the guest experience at Gina?

CD: When I describe the Renaissance Bordeaux as an “innovation laboratory,” I mean that we see the hotel as a space for constant experimentation, where ideas can be tested, refined, and brought to life very quickly.

Gina is the most visible expression of that mindset. It’s a place where nothing is fixed. We observe how our guests interact with the space, how they move from day to night, and we continuously adapt the experience to match that energy.

Concretely, this means we are constantly creating new formats. From immersive events like Sunset by Gina or our pool parties, to more intimate experiences such as comedy shows or cooking classes, we explore different ways of engaging our guests beyond traditional dining.

But it goes even further. The entire property becomes a playground for creativity. With VertiGina, for example, we introduced an outdoor climbing experience on our historic silos, turning a unique architectural feature into a true experiential asset. We can also transform the atmosphere through light scenography, tailor the music programming to specific moments, or use large-scale projection mapping to create fully immersive experiences for private events.

This approach gives us the freedom to test, to take risks, and to evolve quickly. Some ideas become signature experiences, others are reworked or disappear, but that constant movement keeps Gina fresh and relevant.

Ultimately, this “innovation laboratory” philosophy creates a very living experience. Guests feel that something is always happening, always changing. And that sense of energy, of spontaneity, is what makes the experience not only memorable but truly unique. 

AC: From “Sunset by Gina” DJ events to the Gina Comedy Club, your concepts go far beyond traditional dining. How important is entertainment in today’s luxury hospitality landscape?

CD: Today, entertainment is no longer an addition to hospitality; it is at the core of the experience.

Guests are not just looking for a good meal or a beautiful setting anymore. They are looking for emotion, for memories, for something they can share and talk about. And that’s exactly what entertainment brings.

At Gina, we see it as a natural extension of our identity. A renowned DJ set at sunset, an afternoon pool party, a comedy show featuring some of the most acclaimed humorists, or a magical Christmas enhanced by a scenography designed in collaboration with Galeries Lafayette, these are not separate concepts; they are different expressions of the same vision: creating moments that people will remember.

It also allows us to create rhythm. The same place can feel completely different depending on the time of day or the type of event. You can come for a relaxed lunch and return the same evening for a vibrant and festive atmosphere. That ability to transform the energy of a venue is essential today.

But most importantly, entertainment creates connection. Between guests, between guests and the team, and even between the brand and its community. It brings people together in a more spontaneous, more emotional way.

In that sense, I believe the future of luxury hospitality lies in this ability to go beyond service and to become a true cultural and social destination. And for us, entertainment is one of the most powerful ways to achieve that. 

AC: Your decision to prioritize local clientele over hotel guests is unconventional. What impact has this had on Gina’s success and atmosphere?

CD: It may seem unconventional, but for us, it was a very deliberate choice from the beginning.

We wanted Gina to be a place that truly belongs to Bordeaux, not just an extension of the hotel. By prioritizing local clientele, we created a genuine energy, a sense of authenticity that cannot be manufactured.

When a place is embraced by locals, it naturally becomes more desirable for travelers. Guests are no longer entering a space designed “for them,” they are stepping into a place that is already alive, already loved, already part of the city’s rhythm.

This has had a major impact on the atmosphere. There is a different kind of spontaneity, a stronger connection between people, and a more vibrant, less formal energy. It feels real.

And interestingly, it also enhances the experience for our hotel guests. They are not isolated in a hotel environment; they are immersed in a destination that reflects the true lifestyle of Bordeaux.

In the end, by focusing on locals first, we didn’t limit our reach; we amplified it. We created a place with a strong identity, and that identity is exactly what attracts an international audience today. 

AC: Your management style is inspired by Scandinavian principles of trust and autonomy. How does this approach influence your team’s creativity and performance?

CD: I strongly believe that creativity cannot exist without trust.

The Scandinavian approach, based on autonomy, responsibility, and transparency, has deeply influenced the way we manage our teams. Instead of controlling every detail, we create a framework where people feel empowered to take initiative and express their ideas.

At Gina, many of our concepts come directly from the team. Whether it’s a cocktail idea, an event format, or a new way of interacting with guests, we encourage everyone to contribute. That sense of ownership makes a huge difference.

It also creates a very positive dynamic in terms of performance. When people feel trusted, they are more engaged, more proactive, and more committed to delivering a high level of experience. They are not just executing, they are actively shaping the place.

Of course, autonomy comes with high expectations. We set a clear vision, a strong level of standards, and a shared ambition. But within that framework, there is a lot of freedom.

And I believe that balance, between structure and freedom, is what allows both creativity and excellence to coexist. 

AC: You famously operate without a traditional office, choosing instead to stay close to guests and staff. How does this “on-the-ground” leadership style shape your decision-making?

CD: For me, hospitality cannot be managed from behind a desk.

Being on the floor, close to both guests and teams, allows me to stay connected to what truly matters. You feel the energy of the place, you observe reactions in real time, and you understand immediately what works and what needs to be adjusted.

This proximity creates a much more intuitive and responsive way of making decisions. Instead of relying only on reports or data, I rely on direct experience, conversations, and observation. It allows us to react faster and to stay aligned with the reality of our guests.

It also sends a strong message to the team. Leadership is not about distance; it’s about presence. By being there, sharing the same environment, the same rhythm, you create trust and cohesion.

And ultimately, it keeps you humble. You are constantly reminded that every detail matters, every interaction counts.

In a place like Gina, where everything is about atmosphere and emotion, I believe this kind of “on-the-ground” leadership is essential to maintain consistency and authenticity in the experience we deliver. 

AC: Looking ahead, how do you plan to continue evolving Gina and reshaping the rooftop dining experience in Bordeaux and beyond?

CD: The challenge is not to repeat what we have already built, but to constantly elevate it.

Gina was never designed as a finished concept. It’s a living destination, and its evolution is part of its DNA. Moving forward, our ambition is to push even further the experiential dimension, to create moments that are more immersive, more emotional, and more unexpected.

This will come through new formats, new collaborations, and new ways of using the space. We want to continue surprising our guests, offering experiences they don’t necessarily expect when they think about a rooftop restaurant.

At the same time, we are very focused on strengthening what already makes Gina unique: its connection to Bordeaux, its local community, and its strong identity. Growth, for us, is not about becoming bigger everywhere; it’s about becoming more meaningful where we are.

We have already started to explore this dynamic with projects like Gina Madrid, which reflects our desire to extend the brand beyond Bordeaux while adapting it to a new cultural environment. Each location must have its own personality, while staying true to the core values of the brand.

Ultimately, our goal is simple, yet demanding: to remain a place people want to come back to, not just once, but again and again, because every visit feels different.

Cédric, thank you for sharing your inspiring insights and for redefining what modern hospitality can be.

To discover more about this award-winning destination and plan your visit, explore the official website: https://gina-bordeaux.fr/