25 Montee Saint Barthelemy, Lyon, France | (888) 616-5829
Luxurious hotel housed in a former convent
Perched on a hill with beautiful views of old Lyon
Spacious, elegant rooms with marble bathrooms, some with private patios
On-site Michelin-starred restaurant has terrace seating
Outdoor swimming pool overlooks the city
Spa with sauna, steam room, and treatments
Four brightly decorated meeting rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Access to the old part of Lyon is down several hundred steps
Room decor is a bit outdated
Restaurant gets mixed reviews and is not open every day
Breakfast is not included in room rates
Not all rooms have coffeemakers
Housed in a former 18th-century convent, the 28-room Villa Florentine is a luxurious hotel perched on a hill above the city, with stunning views over Lyon from the outdoor pool and the Michelin-starred restaurant. The property has been beautifully renovated with its historic character kept intact. Rooms are spacious with a luxe feel, though the furniture and wallpaper are showing signs of age. Its hillside location, though picturesque and offering beautiful views, also means that the hotel is reached via many steps, which can be an issue for some. Guests looking for a similar atmosphere without the climb can try the nearby Cour des Loges, another historic luxury hotel, which generally has lower rates.
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Scene
Grand, church-like feel with historic character, though some spots are dated
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.
Location
Hillside location near Lyon’s historic center, reached by a large staircase
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.
Rooms
Spacious rooms are a mix of dated decor and modern updates
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.
Features
Michelin-starred restaurant with outdoor terrace, pool overlooking the city, and a small spa
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.
