224 rue de Paris, Lille, France | (888) 989-6591
Stunning one-of-a-kind property that marries past and present
Convenient location within walking distance of top sights
Attractive accommodations with period charm and modern amenities
Two fine on-site eateries (one formal, one more casual)
Sublime spa with steam room, pool and treatment rooms
Features include an ornate private chapel, ideal for weddings
Attractive bar in an atrium, flooded with natural light
Small museum on the property's history, and tours included
Room service, babysitting, and concierge available (fee)
Free property-wide Wi-Fi
Standard and Superior-class rooms cover less than 258-square feet
Breakfast isn't included
Wi-Fi signal can be weak
The boutique accommodations in Marriott’s Autograph Collection are selected on the basis of their unique character, and this one in central Lille is no exception: It’s a 15th-century hospice, complete with private chapel, which has been transformed into an 89-room luxury hotel. The atmosphere is, appropriately, divine. On-site, guests can enjoy treatments in the spa, dine in a pair of gourmet restaurants, lounge in courtyard gardens, take a guided tour of the property (which has its own mini museum), and then doze in rooms that blend age-old elements with contemporary amenities. Travelers looking for luxury with a wholly up-to-date look may prefer the Hôtel Barrière Lille instead.
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Scene
A centuries-old building that honors the past and embraces the present
Lille, near the Belgian border, is the capital of French Flanders: a fact that is reflected in this hotel’s classic Flemish architecture. Founded as a charity hospital in 1462, its oh-so steep rooflines and graceful leaded windows evoke the Middle Ages; yet other architectural elements -- most notably a contemporary glassed-in courtyard-cum-lounge -- keep it from looking mired in time. The interplay between the past and present is again evident in the common areas. Traditional tapestries hang alongside eye-popping abstract art; exposed beams and brickwork, similarly, are balanced by steel tubing and other industrial flourishes. Old and new are also juxtaposed in a series of meeting rooms, but their presence doesn’t mean the hotel is overrun by business travelers. On the contrary, guests are often culture-loving vacationers or honeymooning couples (some of whom married on-site).
Location
Near Lille’s historic center, in walking distance to attractions
Occupying a corner lot in central Lille, L'Hermitage Gantois adds character to an otherwise ho-hum streetscape. The closest metro stop is four minutes away, so guests can easily access the efficient public transport system; however, most tourist destinations (including Gare de Lille-Europe, a terminal for Eurostar and high-speed TGV trains) are within walking distance. Bustling Grand-Place (aka Place du Général de Gaulle) is 11 minutes north on foot; lined with flamboyant Baroque buildings and more-restrained Renaissance arcades, this bustling square is Lille’s historic heart. The world-class Palais des Beaux Arts, a Belle-Epoque beauty highlighting Flemish masters, is a five-minute walk west of the hotel; and art lovers prepared to drive can follow up a visit there with trips to LaM and Louvre-Lens. Gorgeous Citadel Park, Lille's largest, is a 10-minute drive away, as is Lille Airport.- Four-minute walk to Mairie de Lille metro station
Rooms
Unique accommodations with period charm and up-to-date amenities
Guest rooms (some of which were once nun’s cells) may not be as ornate as you'd expect based on L'Hermitage Gantois’ common areas. Moreover, they differ widely in size and configuration (choices range from standards that can be as small as 215 square feet to three-room suites that cover twice as much space). All, though, give history a 21st-century tweak. Period elements such as oak wall panels, lime-washed ceiling beams, antique floor tiles or original fireplaces are offset by a Philippe Starck “ghost” chairs and funky aluminum desks. Across all categories, the contemporary-style pillow-top beds are comfortable, and the pretty marble bathrooms come with a shower/tub combo (slippers, robes, hairdryers, and towel warmers are welcome extras, too). Standard modern amenities include air-conditioning, minibars, tea/coffee making facilities, flat-screen TVs, radios, free Wi-Fi and, in all but the lowest category, iPod docks.
Features
Features cover the five-pearl bases, with a chapel as an added bonus.
This hotel houses two restaurants, L'Hermitage and L’Estaminet Gantois. The former is a formal gastronomic option that serves French cuisine under a red vaulted ceiling, the latter a brasserie specializing in local dishes. Breakfast can be added on, and round-the-clock room service is available. A little library loaded with period charm and a large bar in the contemporary, atrium-style lounge area offer opportunities for relaxation as do the tranquil courtyard gardens. Downstairs, a full-scale spa contains a heated pool and steam room (both free), as well as five rooms for tempting face and body treatments. The pièce de résistance, though, is a meticulously-restored chapel built in 1666. This strikingly beautiful venue, together with the hotel’s team of event planners and caterers, plus 11 spaces suitable for either social or business gatherings, makes L'Hermitage Gantois a memorable setting for weddings. Other on-site amenities include a small museum showcasing the property’s history; a 24-hour reception desk with currency exchange and concierge services; valet parking; dry cleaning/laundry services; family-oriented services like babysitting and in-room cribs or cots (all at extra charge); free guided tours; and free Wi-Fi.
