Hotel Crowne Plaza Lyon – Cité Internationale

Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Crowne Plaza Lyon – Cité Internationale occupies a modern building with a striking glass panel covering the facade. The sleek lobby has an espresso-wood reception desk, seating with attractive chrome legs, and overdyed denim-blue area rugs. The swank bar and lounge and colorful bistro are decidedly midcentury in style, with curved-back chairs and rows of brushed- gold, space-age pendants. The hotel attracts business, many here for conference, and on weekends, there are a fair amount of leisure travelers, especially couples. 

Located outside Lyon's city center, Hotel Crowne Plaza Lyon – Cité Internationale is a few doors away from the Lyon Convention Center, and close to the River Rhone and the massive Tete D'Or park. There are other hotels and a few restaurants in the immediate vicinity, but the area is not as ideal for most leisure travelers and tourists. 

• Two-minute walk to Tete D'Or park
• Three-minute walk to Lyon Convention Center
• Three-minute walk to Amphitheater 3000
• Five-minute walk to the Museum of Contemporary Art
• Eight-minute walk to the Rhone River
• 11-minute drive to Rue de la Republique shopping street
• 17-minute drive to Place Bellecour
• 21-minute drive to Perrache train station 
• 21-minute drive to Historic Old Town (Vieux Lyon)
• 22-minute drive to Fourviere Basilica
• 29-minute drive to Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport

Modern guest rooms and suites are comfortable and stylish. Furniture has a warm, mahogany finish, walls behind beds don on-trend wallpaper, and spaces are accented with saturated hues, such as aquamarine or canary yellow. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles with free instant coffee and tea, bathrobes, and free Wi-Fi. Attractive bathrooms with wall-hung vanities, shower/tub combos with removable showerheads, hairdryers, and high-end Molton Brown bath products.

Superior Rooms are situated on the highest floors, and include balconies overlooking the nearby park, and luxurious extras like espresso machines, and spacious walk-in showers. Suites add living areas and work desks, plus separate bathtubs and walk-in showers. Executive Rooms on the first floor have the bonus of having access to the Executive Lounge, located on the eighth floor, and customized services that include a free breakfast.

Hotel Crowne Plaza Lyon – Cité Internationale has ample amenities, with many catering to business travelers who frequent the hotel. The full-service Bistrot Rive Gauche on the ground floor serves a continental buffet breakfast for a fee, and lunch and dinner menus have classic meat and fish entrees, but the restaurant is closed on weekends. There's also a bar and lounge -- with an outdoor patio -- that has an extensive list of cocktails, Champagne, wine, whiskies, spirits, and light meals. 

Guests staying in Executive Club Rooms and Suites have the added perk of free access to the Executive Lounge on the 8th floor, with scenic views over the park. There's plenty of comfortable seating, magazines to browse, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. A free breakfast is also served here, as well as snacks during the day.

Other features include a 24-hour business center with a printer and scanner, plus two meeting rooms and a board room. The gym is also open 24/7, but equipment is limited to two treadmills, two stationary bicycles, and an elliptical machine. The hotel offers room service, and Wi-Fi is free throughout, but there's no on-site parking, although paid parking is nearby.