The Best Hotels in Lyon, France, for Every Traveller

Channelling the Roman history for which the surrouning area is famed, this five-star hotel has a distinctly Italianate feel – right down to the vaulted thermal baths with their impressive columns. Located on the former site of Antiquaille, birthplace of Gallo-Roman civilisation, this is certainly a place fit for an emperor. Offering panoramic views over the city, the sumptuous rooms feature designer decor, private terraces and marble bathrooms. The spa is the height of decadence and the gastronomic restaurant is Michelin-starred.

Situated on the peninsula between the Rhône and Saône rivers, this four-star hotel is ideally positioned for exploring the Unesco-listed city centre. Throughout the 80 rooms, the smart decor combines contemporary design with comfort, punctuated by the hotel’s trademark red. At the end of the day, kick back with a treatment in the spa or head to the cosy bar. Their signature cocktail, Lady in Red, with vodka, blackberry liqueur and strawberry and raspberry nectar, is highly recommended.

Named after the ancient abbey it overlooks, this four-star hotel is housed in the former presbytery. Refurbished by local designers Maison Hand, they have been careful to preserve the historic soul of the place while keeping the decor modern. At the hotel restaurant, L’Artichaut, chef Jérémy Revel recreates the seasonal dishes of his grandmother. Alternatively, head out to one of the nearby eateries around Place Bellecour – one of the largest squares in Europe – at the heart of the peninsula.

Among the city’s most emblematic landmark buildings, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, this five-star hotel is a beguiling blend of history and the height of luxe. The rooms themselves have been designed in a contemporary style to the highest specification. Located on the peninsula, some of them have views over the river Rhône and the city, while others overlook hidden-haven courtyards. Fine dining is available in the hotel restaurant, Epona, or on its outdoor terrace.

One of the very first hotels in Lyon, this five-star jewel is found in a 19th-century Haussmannian building in the heart of the peninsula. Among its many prestigious guests have been Martin Luther King, the Duchess of Kent and Édith Piaf, among others. Today, its design-led interior wows its visitors with the height of modern luxury. The Italian restaurant, Angelo, serves up transalpine treats – and the vaulted swimming pool and spa area are wonderfully atmospheric.

Situated on a site that was once home to hermits, this hilltop hotel offers exceptional views over Lyon and the Monts d’Or. Nowadays, the emphasis at this four-star retreat is very much on well-being with a heated swimming pool, plus wellness and spa area, overlooking the valley. Be sure to visit the 14th-century hermitage next door, and soak up the scenery on the walking trails, before sampling the bistronomique menu in the hotel restaurant.

Taking the hotel experience into the age of tech, MiHotel offers an Airbnb-style concept with chic, design-led suites spread across multiple sites. From booking and check-in to room service, everything is done digitally. There are no shared spaces here, with everything dispatched straight to your room – from a cocktail to a cooked meal to a customised sharing platter. Other fun extras range from a private massage to flower petals on the bed to a hundred helium balloons.

With a fresh and youthful energy, this two-star tourist residence has its finger firmly on the pulse. The 156 design-led rooms feature luxury bedlinen, movies on demand and organic toiletries. There’s even a photo booth for a souvenir of your stay. Elsewhere, the huge bar, relaxed restaurant and lively rooftop terrace are sociable spaces – especially when the resident DJ rocks the decks. Centrally located, this also makes an ideal base for exploring the city’s renovated riverfront.

Located just off the pretty little Place des Jacobins, a lovely square dominated by a beautiful fountain, Hôtel Elysée is well situated right in the centre of the Presqu’île, the upscale shopping district. A 19th-century building, this little boutique still retains traditional touches and has a particularly pleasant vaulted breakfast room. Modest and unpretentious, with a welcoming ambiance, this is a very charming place to stay.

Well-placed on one of the main pedestrianised roads of the Presqu’île (the area between the two rivers of Lyon), Hôtel Alexandra is a cosy, charming boutique that is modestly yet tastefully decorated. The top floor rooms offer especially beautiful views across Lyon’s colourful rooftops, and the hotel has a lovely terrace on which guests can sample a fine French breakfast.

Located in the heart of Vieux Lyon and surrounded by a number of the city’s best bars, Collège Hôtel is ideally placed. The modest and simple interiors come with an interesting quirk: the entire establishment is themed to resemble all things scolaire – that is, both university and school experiences – from wooden benches to dorm-room style rooms. The quirky old wooden desks complete with ink pots are neatly juxtaposed with the modern technology available in this unusual hotel, complete with its own roof garden.

Brilliantly located overlooking the Place des Celestins that contains the striking Théâtre des Celestins, Hôtel des Artistes is so-called because it has been favoured by a number of performing artists throughout the years. The artistic, cosy décor makes this charming boutique stand-out. The balconies in the rooms are especially lovely, offering wonderful views of the iconic square below.

Just a few hundred metres from the stunning Place des Terreaux, from which it earns its name, and the fascinating Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Grand Hôtel des Terreaux is an enchanting, converted 19th-century town house. Its chic art deco style is married well with its historic setting. Many rooms offer lovely views overlooking the buzzing street outside. The indoor pool is a welcome touch in such an urban hotel. Start your day with a substantial buffet breakfast in the downstairs lounge – or grab an express breakfast to take with you.

Situated on the banks of the Saône, on the edge of Vieux Lyon, the Phénix Hôtel boasts magnificent views, especially at night, when guests can see how Lyon earns its name as the “City of Lights” – beautifully-lit buildings showing their reflections on the water. Dating back to the 16th century, this unique hotel with its Florentine architecture is a charming, unpretentious place to stay, ideal for a romantic weekend away. Take the boat shuttle, just outside the hotel, down the river to the Musée des Confluences. Afterwards, enjoy a glass of wine in the hotel’s piano bar before heading out for dinner.

Located right in the heart of the unmissable old town, Cour des Loges offers five-star luxury in a historic setting. With its Italian renaissance architecture, it fits in well with the Mediterranean-influenced buildings around it and is perfectly placed for exploring the most ancient and most beautiful district of Lyon. Particularly worth noting is the Michelin-starred restaurant, boasting gastronomic excellence, situated in the idyllic, Florentine courtyard of this lovely hotel.