Mercure Lyon Centre – Gare Part Dieu

Situated in a 10-story building with a flat, modern, beige-and-gray facade with glass accents, this Mercure hotel shares its entrance with a budget Ibis. The lobby area is small but sophisticated with modern decor. Hanging pendant lights illuminate a white reception desk, while a bold painting hangs on the wall. But the most arresting detail is the textured sculpture descending from the ceiling over a white coffee table topped with a tall, silver candelabra. The lobby's white tiled floor meets wood flooring to create a refined sitting nook with sage green walls, a button-tufted leather couch, and leather armchairs and ottomans. The hotel's location in the business district by a major transportation hub makes this  property a hotspot for both business travelers and those stopping through, though tourists find their way here, too. 

Situated between a busy main road and train tracks, and flanked by other hotels, the Mercure is located in the 3rd Arrondissement in the business area of Lyon with exceptional access to public transportation. The hotel is not in a particularly charming area, but for train riders and business travelers in particular, it's extremely convenient. The hotel has direct access to the central Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu station. A tram stop, metro station (Gare Par Dieu - Vivier Merle - B line), and several bus lines are all less than 10 minutes away on foot. The Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and the Rhône Express stops outside of the hotel. The Presqu’île is about a nine-minute drive from the hotel and the historic Vieux Lyon is about an 11-minute drive. A car rental and bike rental station are available right next to the hotel, plenty of taxis are on the street, and a large indoor shopping mall is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel. Guests coming by car can park in a private, underground parking garage, but it costs an extra fee.

Rooms at the Mercure are both spacious and efficiently designed to maximize that space. The decor is simple, but furniture is high quality and well maintained. Standard Rooms have wall-to-wall carpeting, white walls, and a color palette of chocolate brown and orange. Zigzag-print curtains divide the front door and wardrobe areas from the rest of the space. Yellow and red accent walls brighten things up and give a backdrop to the wall-mounted desktops and large flat-screen TVs. Wood-framed leather headboards feature built-in lamps with reading lamp attachments, and suspended drum shades hang over brown velvety couches with plush pillows. Thick drapes and double-glazed windows ensures a quiet night's sleep. Each bathroom is fully tiled in gray and white and features a large vanity with unique hanging globe pendant lights, while a spacious walk-in shower offers a luxurious showerhead and separate shower wand. The toilet has its own separate nook with its own sink. Bathrooms are supplied with Dove toiletry dispensers. 

All rooms are air-conditioned and include work desks, safes, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and small mini-fridges. Privilege Rooms have the added benefit of iPhones/iPads and Nespresso coffeemakers. A total of 72 of the hotel's 108 rooms are nonsmoking. Room service is available 24 hours a day. 

This hotel has a chic restaurant and wine bar connected to the lobby, with wood floors, brown leather armchairs that surround cafe tables, clusters of hanging pendant lights, and rich velvety drapes. Guests find the food solidly good, though options are limited. The daily continental breakfast is small but tasty, and it costs an extra fee. The lobby has an iMac and printer for guest use. The hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning service, can facilitate airport pick up, and has room service available 24 hours. There is no fitness center. Wi-Fi is free throughout.