BOSCOLO LYON HOTEL & SPA
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 8/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $275
The Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa is a five star hotel that occupies a recently renovated 19th century building that overlooks the Rhône River. The hotel incorporates a lot of Italian design features and construction materials, which makes sense given that the owners hail from the Mediterranean country. The Boscolo has much more of an “old world” feel than the more contemporary Intercontinental Lyon - Hôtel Dieu, which is an incredible property that is located a very short walk away.
LOCATION
9.5/10
Located in the central hub of Lyon's peninsula and Grolé district, the Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa is adjacent to the Rhône River's bank, just 850 meters away from the Lyon National Opera House. It is a great location from which you can walk to a large number of shops, cafes, and landmarks, and is a great place to base yourself if you are visiting the French city that is renowned for its gastronomy. The Saône River is also just a ten minute walk away as are both the Bellecour and Cordeliers metro stations. In addition, Lyon’s main train station, Lyon Part-Dieu is just a ten minute drive away.
AMENITIES
7.5/10
GYM - 5/10
The gym at the Boscolo Hotel & Spa lacked sufficient equipment. It was compact, featuring only cardio equipment, including a single treadmill, bike, and elliptical, as well as one rowing machine. Unfortunately, there were no free weights or strength training machines available. If you are looking for a hotel with an adequate gym for a complete workout, this is not the right hotel for you.
SPA
Though we didn't have time to experience any of the treatments in the hotel’s spa, the facility is one of the coolest, if not the coolest, parts of the property. Set below ground level, it occupies a space that was formerly Roman baths and contains original stones and vaulted cellars used by the Romans. The spa facilities include a sauna, massage cabins, and a hammam, and treatments such as massages, body treatments, and facials are available to book.
POOL 9/10
The pool at the Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa may not be the biggest or the most flashy pool you’ll find, but its setting is incredibly unique and special. The indoor, heated pool is set inside the hotel’s spa area and offers you the chance to swim and relax while surrounded by stones and ceilings that were once part of Roman baths which previously occupied the same space. The intimate setting provides for a peaceful and relaxing place to refresh and reenergize.
OTHER
The hotel offers complimentary WiFi, on-site private parking (for a fee), concierge services, and a 24-hour front desk. In addition, the hotel is pet friendly, has an on-site restaurant, and offers meeting facilities for business travelers.
ROOM
7/10
We booked a stay in a Superior room, which is the base room offered by the hotel. The room had a view to the unappealing interior courtyard, was definitely on the smaller side, and included some baffling design choices. It seems as if the hotel was going for a contemporary old-world style within the room but the unappealing minimalist bed and the strange black and white art piece above it both didn’t fit in with the style and were quite unattractive. The bathroom, which featured a heavy dose of marble, was much more in line with the contemporary old-world style and had a walk-in shower as well as a bidet. Overall, the room failed to meet our expectations of a five star property and really missed the mark given the hotel’s price.
BREAKFAST
We did not have breakfast included in the price of the hotel and instead decided to venture out of the hotel for typical French breakfasts at very affordable prices.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you’re looking for good food in walking distance, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Boleh Lah ( 18 minute walk) - Excellent Malaysian street food in a very casual setting.
Les Fines Gueles (17 minute walk) -Traditional bouchon serving Lyonnaise cuisine.
La Mere Brazier (17 minute walk) - Renowned high-end restaurant in Lyon with a great lunch menu in addition to its more well-known dinner offering.
If you are looking for good food that’s worth the drive, here are some options:
Le Neuvieme Art (10 minute drive) - Excellent, classic French fine dining in a slightly strange setting.
Restaurant Paul Bocuse (20 minute drive) - The most iconic restaurant that epitomizes France's prestigious culinary heritage - comes with a hefty price tag.
To check out all of the Eat My Critique reviews from around the World, click here.
THINGS TO DO
Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, offers a wealth of attractions and activities to explore. Here are some of the best things to do in Lyon:
Musée des Beaux-Arts (15 minute walk) - Immerse yourself in art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, one of France's most important art museums. Admire works by renowned artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso, and explore the museum's extensive collection spanning from antiquity to modern times
Vieux Lyon (15 minute walk) -Take a stroll through the charming streets of Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the well-preserved Renaissance architecture, visit historic landmarks like Lyon Cathedral, and discover traboules, hidden passageways that connect the buildings.
Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière (15 minute drive) - Visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière located atop Fourvière Hill. Explore the ornate interiors, enjoy panoramic views of the city from the esplanade, and take in the beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows. Also very easily accessible by funicular after a short walk.
Amphitheater of the Three Gauls (15 minute drive) - Did you know that in addition to beautiful Renaissance art and architecture, Lyon is also home to Roman ruins? The amphitheater, which dates back to the year 19 A.D., looks pretty good for its age!
VERDICT
The Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa is set in an excellent location and offers a unique experience with its pool and spa set in what was once Roman baths, but it fails to live up to five star expectations and its own price point when it comes to the rooms and other amenities. Given that there are a number of other hotels that share an equally wonderful location within Lyon, and that you book a visit the spa even if you are not a hotel guest, we would recommend staying elsewhere during your time in Lyon. If you are looking for a luxury option, the other property we stayed at in the city, the Intercontinental Lyon - Hôtel Dieu, offered a superior experience and better value for the money.