11 Quai Jules Courmont, 69002 Lyon

Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa

Name: Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa
Address: 11 Quai Jules Courmont, Lyon, 69002, FR
Rating: 4.35

Hotel-restaurant 5-star with pool and spa in Lyon

Presentation

Boscolo Lyon Hôtel & Spa stands on the banks of the Rhône, between the river quays and the Presqu'île, in a Haussmann-style building dating from the late 19th century. The façade is recognizable from afar, with its large windows and pale stone, even before you read the sign.

As you push open the door, the first thing that strikes you is the light. The lobby opens beneath a glass roof, a former winter garden converted into a lounge, where a few guests have coffee while reading the newspaper. Black marble runs across the floors, Vicenza stone covers the walls, and the whole place retains something of the former Grand Nouvel Hôtel, the name this building bore before the Boscolo family took over in 2016.

The rooms, spread over several floors, embrace Italian minimalism: clean lines, soft fabrics, marble bathrooms sometimes opening directly onto the bedroom space. The higher categories overlook the Rhône, and when you wake up, you can follow the river from your bed. This pleasure has a downside: the windows, although double-glazed, sometimes let in the life of the quays from the early hours. Nothing dramatic, but those who sleep late will prefer to ask for a courtyard-facing room or a higher floor.

In the basement, the 450 m² spa draws inspiration from Roman baths: a heated pool under a stone vault, hammam, sauna, and three treatment rooms. You head down there in the late afternoon, often after a day of walking in Vieux Lyon or on the slopes of Croix-Rousse, and emerge an hour later without really knowing what time it is.

In the morning, breakfast is served under the same glass roof as the lobby café: fresh bread, pastries, fruit, cured meats, and an à la carte menu for eggs. Expect to pay extra, between 28 and 39 euros depending on the season, which remains unusual in a property of this standing where breakfast is sometimes included elsewhere. The buffet, however, easily holds its own against the best Lyon addresses of its kind.

In the evening, head to the Angelo restaurant, where the chef prepares Italian classics with imported ingredients (fresh pasta, mozzarella, olive oil) and a truffle signature dish depending on the season. The décor mixes banquettes and black marble, in a more subdued atmosphere than the lobby. Nearby, the Tilbury bar serves a Campari and Champagne spritz that alone sums up the spirit of the house, between France and Italy.

Outside, Bellecour Square is just a few minutes away on foot, as are Vieux Lyon and the Presqu'île between the Rhône and the Saône. Cordeliers-Bourse metro station is 350 meters away, handy for getting to Part-Dieu station without taking a taxi.

One last tip: book a pool slot during the week, early in the morning. Before the evening rush, the stone vault is almost yours alone.

Summary of a few positive reviews read on the Web

The room has a distinctive layout, with the bathroom open to the main space. Large rain-style shower and a very comfortable bed.
On arrival, the staff were smiling and professional, and we were accompanied to the elevator while each service was explained.
When we came back from dinner in town, the room curtains were already closed. A simple detail, but a pleasant one.
Breakfast under the glass roof with good bread, pastries, fresh fruit, and cured meats. You can take your time.
Swimming pool set in an old vaulted stone cellar, with hammam and sauna right next door. Quiet even on a Saturday morning.
Convenient location, everything is within walking distance from Bellecour Square and the quays.