10 Amazing Hotels in Lyon by Neighborhood

← Home

Choosing the best hotels in Lyon mostly comes down to which side of two rivers you want to wake up on. The Presqu’île sits between the Rhône and the Saône, Vieux Lyon hugs the Saône below Fourvière hill, and the business districts spread east of the Rhône. This guide sorts accommodation by neighborhood and lists ten stays, each with a link to its booking page where you can check current rooms and rates. For the wider city picture, start with our Lyon travel guide, and for eating out, see the French food guide.

Best Hotels in Lyon by Neighborhood

Deciding where to stay in Lyon is easier once you know what each district offers. Lyon is compact enough that most visitors walk between districts, and the metro covers the rest. The real trade-off is atmosphere: grand squares and shopping on the Presqu’île, cobbled lanes in the Old Town, or quieter residential streets farther out with easier parking.

Presqu’île: the central choice

The peninsula between the two rivers holds Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux and the main shopping streets. It suits a first visit because restaurants, museums and metro lines are all close. Most of the hotels below are here or along its edge on the Rhône. The downside is street noise at night in the busiest blocks, so ask for a courtyard-facing room if you are a light sleeper.

Vieux Lyon and Fourvière: atmosphere first

The Old Town on the Saône side is the most photogenic base, with Renaissance streets and the passageways the city is known for. Rooms in historic buildings tend to be individual rather than large, and cobbles are hard on wheeled luggage. It is the best choice for a short, romantic stay.

Croix-Rousse and the Saône bank

North of the Presqu’île, the 4th arrondissement feels more like a village on a hill. Staying on the Saône bank here puts you away from the crowds, with the trade-off of a longer walk or a short ride to the main sights.

Part-Dieu and the east bank

Around the main station, hotels are practical, usually cheaper and ideal for early departures. They lack character, so we feature one Lumière-district option rather than the station block itself. If you are arriving by rail, our guide to France by train explains how the TGV network works and why a station-side base can save time on a multi-city trip.

Hotel	Area	Best for
InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG	Presqu’île (Rhône side)	Grand luxury
Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection	Place Bellecour	Central location
Sofitel Lyon Bellecour	Presqu’île, 4 minutes from Place Bellecour	Wellness and comfort
Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel	Vieux Lyon	Romantic stays and a spa with a pool
Fourvière Hôtel	Fourvière Hill	Views and a heated outdoor pool
Grand Hotel des Terreaux	Presqu’île, near Place des Terreaux	Walkability and an indoor pool
OKKO Hotels Lyon Centre	Rhône banks, 6th arrondissement	Design-led stays
Hôtel du Simplon	Presqu’île, 2nd arrondissement	Characterful central value
Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Lumière	3rd arrondissement	Road-trippers
Hôtel Lyon Métropole & Spa	Saône bank, 4th arrondissement	Pool and spa

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG is a restored historic hospital complex on the Rhône side of the Presqu’île and the city’s headline luxury address. The five-star hotel has a spa, a fitness center, a sun terrace, a garden, a restaurant and a stylish bar. Guests rate it superb across more than 1,600 reviews. Pick it if you want grandeur and are happy to pay for it.

Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection

Overlooking Place Bellecour, Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection is the most central of the grand hotels. It has a bar, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a concierge, and the Lyon Perrache train station is a 14-minute walk away. Guests rate it very good across almost a thousand reviews, and they single out its location.

Sofitel Lyon Bellecour

A four-minute walk from Place Bellecour, Sofitel Lyon Bellecour offers five-star accommodation with a wellness area and a fitness center. All rooms and suites have air conditioning and a free soft drinks mini-bar. It is a comfortable choice for travelers who want a polished base close to the river and the main square.

Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel

Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel is our pick for the Old Town and Fourvière side. It is a five-star hotel with 60 rooms and suites, a Michelin-starred restaurant set in a Renaissance courtyard, and a Pure Altitude Spa with an indoor pool, sauna, hammam and steam room. Guests rate it superb. Choose it if you want an Old Town base rather than a river view.

Fourvière Hôtel

Fourvière Hôtel sits on Fourvière Hill above the Old Town, with views over the city, a year-round heated outdoor pool, a sun terrace, a hot tub and a hammam. All rooms have air conditioning and soundproofing, and the hotel has its own traboule passageway to a wine bar. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a short walk away, and guests rate it excellent across more than 2,600 reviews.

Grand Hotel des Terreaux

Grand Hotel des Terreaux is a four-star hotel at 16 rue Lanterne, in a 19th-century building between the rivers, about 656 feet from Place des Terreaux. It has an indoor relaxation pool, which is unusual at this level in central Lyon, and every room is individually decorated. It is a strong base if you plan to explore on foot, and a good fit for the museum and food-market side of town covered in our Lyon travel guide.

OKKO Hotels Lyon Centre

Facing the Rhône banks, with bars and restaurants nearby, OKKO Hotels Lyon Centre is a five-minute walk from the Presqu’île. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a Nespresso machine, and the Museum of Fine Arts is a 12-minute walk away. Guests rate it fabulous across more than 1,500 reviews. It suits travelers who like modern, design-led rooms over historic character.

Hôtel du Simplon

Hôtel du Simplon is a small address on rue Duhamel in the Presqu’île, with uniquely decorated rooms, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. A baby cot is available free on request. It is one of the more characterful central choices for travelers who want value without leaving the center.

Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Lumière

At 69 cours Albert Thomas in the 3rd arrondissement, 328 feet from the Sans Souci metro stop, Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Lumière has cinema-themed, air-conditioned rooms. The metro ride to the center and Part-Dieu station takes about ten minutes. This is the pick for road-trippers; those building a longer route can see how Lyon fits in our France 2-week itinerary.

Hôtel Lyon Métropole & Spa

Hôtel Lyon Métropole & Spa is on the banks of the Saône in the 4th arrondissement, with air-conditioned rooms, a buffet breakfast, a bar and a wellness center with a pool. Guests rate it very good across almost 5,000 reviews. It is a good option for travelers who want swimming and spa time and do not mind taking transit to the Old Town.

Which Hotel for Which Trip?

• First visit, no car: Grand Hotel des Terreaux or Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection, both in the Presqu’île.
• Romantic weekend: Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel or Fourvière Hôtel.
• Design and social spaces: OKKO Hotels Lyon Centre.
• Central value: Hôtel du Simplon.
• Wellness near the river: Sofitel Lyon Bellecour.
• Driving into Lyon: Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Lumière or Hôtel Lyon Métropole & Spa, both outside the Presqu’île. Confirm parking terms before booking.
• Splurge: InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG.

Booking Tips for the Best Hotels in Lyon

Whichever of these best hotels in Lyon you choose, keep in mind that Lyon hosts trade fairs and big events, so rooms in the center can disappear and rates rise on those dates. Book earlier if your trip overlaps one. Check whether breakfast is included, and confirm air conditioning if you travel in July or August, even though several of these properties list it. If you arrive late, confirm reception hours.

Lyon is also a food city, and good accommodation near the center means late dinners without a taxi, so a hotel within walking distance of the bouchons is worth more than an extra star. Our French food guide explains what to order, and a central address means you can walk back after dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Hotels in Lyon

What is the best area to stay in Lyon for first-time visitors?

The Presqu’île, because Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux, shopping streets and the metro are all within a short walk. Vieux Lyon is the alternative if atmosphere matters more than convenience.

Are there hotels in Lyon with a pool?

Yes. Grand Hotel des Terreaux has an indoor pool, Cour des Loges has an indoor pool in its spa, Fourvière Hôtel has a heated outdoor pool, and Hôtel Lyon Métropole & Spa has a pool and spa. Check each listing for opening hours and any fees.

Should I stay near the station?

Only if you have an early train or limited time. The Part-Dieu area is practical but less atmospheric, and the central stays above are a short transit ride from the station.

Where should I stay in Lyon for a romantic weekend?

Vieux Lyon and Fourvière are the most atmospheric, with Cour des Loges Lyon and Fourvière Hôtel as the main choices on this list.

Is parking available?

Parking varies by hotel, and some central properties have none. Confirm availability and fees with the hotel before you book.

Bottom Line

For most visitors the best hotels in Lyon are on the Presqu’île, with Vieux Lyon and Fourvière for atmosphere and the Mercure or Métropole for drivers and spa seekers. Pick the neighborhood first, then compare current rates for your dates.