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Hotel Villa Florentine ****, Lyon, France
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Luxury with a view!
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Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2004
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Villa Florentine is arguably one of the best places to stay in luxury in the city limits of Lyons for its old world charm coupled with all the modern conveniences and comforts you could want; not to mention the marvelous view of offers of the roof tops of the old city overlooking the river Soane.
It is also the home of the very fine restaurant "Les Terrasses de Lyon".
The hotel derives its charm both from the good taste of the owners and from the fact it is a converted 16th century convent. The reception and lounge area with its 2 story ceilings is the former chapel. The buildings perch on the steep hillside on the west side of Lyons giving every floor access to the view. The price to be paid for this is that it can be quite difficult to find the hotel (click here for directions). When you finally arrive, a porter will not only bring in your luggage but park your car for you in the 70 space, multi level secure garage.
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The gracious reception in what was once the chapel of the convent. View from the balcony through windows rights shown left.
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The view of the old city of Lyons from reception shown right.
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One of the atrium foyer and hallways in the new annex. The hallways and public spaces in the new annex are filled with niches for lounging, sitting in front of a roaring fire, reading in a library or having a nap.
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Other than the “chapel” reception, the buildings have little of their former use evident; don’t worry that the rooms and suites have any Spartan characteristics; the lodgings are sumptuous and decorated in a combination of modern and traditional styles beautifully blended. The accommodations in the old building are a tad less spacious than the 9 very large and fully equipped suites just completed in the spring of 2003 specifically with Americans in mind.
These suites, which are equipped with walk in closets, internet high speed access and both bath tubs and showers, are housed in the adjoining property connected seamlessly and unobtrusively with the main hotel buildings. The addition allowed Villa Florentine to provide an exercise room with machines, massage room and sauna as well as its own lounge and library/TV/reading room. Some suites even have their own private garden as well.
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The sauna in the new annex that is part of the health and fitness center.
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View of the hotel from one of the terraced gardens.
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Pocket garden private for one of the new suites in the new annex.
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Exercise machine room next to the new sauna and massage/therapy room in the new annex.
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The pool, like most of the rooms, shares the panorama of the city as well as the distant foothills of the Alps.
“La Terrasse de Lyon”, the restaurant of Villa Florentine, serves delicious regional cuisine rendered with a modern flair. You have your choice of eating in the old vaulted, traditional dining room, or stepping through an archway, sitting in a more modern setting with glass walls that look over the red roof tops of the old city much like La Chevre d’Or in Provence looks out over the shimmering coastline of the Cote d’Azure. In warm weather, meals are also served outside on the terrace.
Rooms:
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Suite in the main hotel with mezzanine bedroom and view over city.
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Another new suite in the new annex with spacious accommodations, walk in closet and huge bathroom.
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One of the new suites in the annex with baronial sized rooms for Americans.
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Living room of the suite left with TV, internet connection and other cutting edge accessories.
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To wrap up, this is a very special hotel both for its location with the superb view, the charm of its individual rooms and suites, no one like any other, and the four star plus facilities especially those built especially for American guests who need elbow room. The food is also very good even though we would stop short of calling it a gastronomic destination especially with the other world famous chefs whose restaurants litter the region.
As of 2004 rooms start at 230€ and rise to the top suite at 1,000€
It can be a bit difficult to find the first time. (For directions, click here).
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For a link to the Relais & Châteaux Group of hotels and restaurants own site, click on the button left.
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