Villa Florentine

Villa Florentine has grand, Italian-inspired decor. Drawing on its days as a convent, the lobby has a church-like feel, with high ceiling, classically-painted walls, and tall arched windows paired with luxurious Old World details like glass chandeliers and antique pieces. The lobby has gorgeous marble floors, red leather seating, and a striking front desk with a stylish color palette of salmon, aqua, and beige. Large windows offer beautiful views over the city, as does the lovely terrace of the Terrasses de Lyon restaurant. Even the hotel’s four meeting rooms are impressive, with wood-beamed ceilings and crimson wallpaper. The carpeting and wallpaper in the hallways and the bar, however, are dated and detract from the overall luxury.

The hotel sits perched on a hill at the top of a large staircase, overlooking Lyon’s old center. It’s a bit of a climb to and from the hotel, though attractions are within walking distance, and the Vieux Lyon metro stop is a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière and a 15-minute walk to the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is a 35-minute drive. France's main international airport, Charles de Gaulle, is a four-and-a-half-hour drive or one-hour plane ride away.

The hotel’s 28 rooms are large, but decor ranges from garish orange floral carpeting and dated floral fabrics in the Standard Rooms to more subdued and modern grays and neutrals in the Deluxe Rooms. In both rooms, the desks and nightstands are of simple wood, with some other more embellished pieces such as medallion chairs or fluted glass-sconce lights. The Junior Suite has light-colored hardwood floors and a large living room area with a couch. And some rooms have lovely private patios. The sprawling marble or tiled bathrooms have plenty of counter space and large shower/tub combos, or separate stall showers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, robes and slippers, safes, and free bottled water, though only some have coffeemakers.

The Michelin-starred Terrasses de Lyon serves lunch and dinner in an elegant setting (though it's not open every day), with alfresco dining on the beautiful outdoor terrace available during the summer. The food, however, gets mixed reviews, including the breakfast, which is available for an added fee. Guests are given a welcome cocktail upon arrival while the staff provides information about the hotel. A lovely outdoor pool is lined with lounge chairs and overlooks the city. The on-site spa has a sauna and steam room and offers a variety of treatments, plus there’s a small fitness room with cardio machines and free weights. There are four meeting rooms with charming decor, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.