INTERCONTINENTAL LYON - HÔTEL DIEU
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 9.5/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $300
The Intercontinental Lyon - Hôtel Dieu is definitely dated. No, it’s not the carpet or the furniture as with many dated hotels, it’s the building itself. Constructed in the mid-18th century right on the Rhône River, it is one of the most iconic and famous buildings in a city with many famous buildings. Prior to it becoming a hotel in 2015, the building was a world-class hospital, at least in its earlier years. Now, after being transformed in the 2010s, the building still radiates charm and character but now with a heavy dose of luxury. Prepare to be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring views, whether the picturesque river or the hotel’s historic courtyards.
LOCATION
9.5/10
Located in Lyon's lively Presqu'île district, the hotel is situated in a central location which makes it easy to immerse yourself in a city celebrated for its captivating history, remarkable culinary offerings, and impressive architecture. The hotel is surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants with most of Lyon’s best restaurants being within a thirty-minute walk of the hotel in various directions. The Saône River is also just a ten minute walk and many of the city’s top sights are within walking distance as well. In addition, the hotel is just a short five-minute stroll from Bellecour metro station and less than a ten minute drive to the city’s main train station.
AMENITIES
8/10
GYM - 7/10
The gym at the hotel was the only disappointment of our entire stay. It is relatively small compared to the size of the hotel and lacks strength building equipment (the only machine is pictured above and let’s just say that machine was not very useful for a number of reasons) . There were some free weights for strength training as well as two treadmills, two stationary bikes and two elliptical machines, all of which were a bit dated (in the bad way). This gym could use some major improvements.
SPA
You can visit Spa Cinq Monde in the Grand Hôtel Dieu complex during your stay. The facility is quite nice though we didn’t really spend much time there or reserve any treatments so we can’t speak to them.
POOL
There is no pool at this hotel.
OTHER
This Intercontinental Lyon has a restaurant, room service, and a 24-hour front desk as well as complimentary WiFi throughout. Additional amenities include concierge service, currency exchange, and a number of shops within the property.
ROOM
9/10
We booked a Classic Room but because of our IHG status (Platinum Elite) we were upgraded into a Premium Room. To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what the difference between the Classic Room and the Premium Room is but I believe part (if not all) of it is the view. Our room had a view of the river and had plenty of natural light flowing in. It wasn’t the largest room but it was very nicely decorated and felt very high end and luxurious. The bed was absolutely incredible and the sheets were definitely of a high thread count. The bathroom was also very well done with a large, mosaic-tiled shower and expensive-feeling soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. The room had central air conditioning, a desk, coffee machine, minibar, and a flat-screen TV.
BREAKFAST
8/10
Breakfast is available each morning at the properties Epona restaurant. Choose from a buffet or a la carte options, served each morning. The buffet presents a wide array of choices, including gluten-free and vegan options and made-to-order eggs but comes with a heftier price tag ($34 per person). We chose an a la carte breakfast which was tasty and was reasonably priced for a high end hotel.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you’re looking for good food in walking distance, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Boleh Lah ( 13 minute walk) - Excellent Malaysian street food in a very casual setting.
Les Fines Gueles (20 minute walk) -Traditional bouchon serving Lyonnaise cuisine.
If you are looking for good food that’s worth the drive, here are some options:
La Mere Brazier (10 minute drive) - Renowned high-end restaurant in Lyon with a great lunch menu in addition to its more well-known dinner offering.
Le Neuvieme Art (15 minute drive) - Excellent, classic French fine dining in a slightly strange setting.
Restaurant Paul Bocuse (25 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 (20 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 (20 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
Lyon was an absolute highlight of our latest trip to France and the city’s food scene lives up to its (little-known) reputation. But one of the best parts of our stay was the Intercontinental Lyon - Hôtel Dieu which does an excellent job in making you feel like you are part of the French nobility. It is the nicest Intercontinental property we have stayed at and a beautiful place to stay in Lyon.