Halfway between Paris and the Mediterranean and not far from ski resorts, Lyon stands out as the perfect destination for a weekend combining relaxation with a visit to the capital of Gaul, or as an ideal stopover on the way to your vacation destination. We stayed at a few hotels there that offer many great features…
Villa Maïa
Overlooking the capital of Gaul, perched on Fourvière Hill, this Lyon spa hotel displaying 5 stars and awarded a Michelin key, offers a breathtaking view. It enjoys an ideal location on the Antiquaille site, just a stone’s throw from the Roman theaters, the ruins of ancient Lyon. This boutique hotel features 27 rooms, 6 suites, and a 100-square-meter apartment, all brought to life by the combined talents of Jean-Michel Wilmotte (architecture), Jacques Grange (interior design), and Louis Benech (the stunning garden). Right off the bat, the concrete building, clad in panels of opaque, matte glass tinted bronze whose appearance changes with the sun, the whole reflecting a very modern look. As of The lobby, with its impressive high ceilings, white columns, and a floor featuring a mix of light and dark marble, pays homage to Roman history. In the guest rooms, guests will appreciate the elegant design, dotted with Art Deco touches and Japanese influences. The rooms are decorated in subtle colors ranging from brown to greige… accented with a few pops of color, such as those found in the bedspreads and circular photographs (anamorphoses) hanging above the bed and signed by Charles Maze. For a weekend with a touch of luxury, we don't hold back and choose one of the Suites ranging from 60 to 65 square meters, where guests love the terrace and its panoramic view of Lyon. As for the bar, you can curl up on one of the brightly colored sofas while admiring pop art paintings. Finally, since we’re in Lyon—also the capital of gastronomy—we’ll put our diets aside and sit down for a meal at the restaurant across from the hotel, where chef Christian Têtedoie, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and a one-Michelin-starred chef, has crafted a menu featuring a range of regional dishes that reinterpret the great classics of Lyon cuisine.
What's the spa like? Also designed by Jacques Grange, this spa With its Roman bathhouse-like atmosphere, it takes us back in time. Nothing is missing: beneath a Pompeian ceiling supported by marble columns, the The vibrating plaster walls complement the beige Champagne stone and blue Hainaut stone. The superb 20-meter heated pool features a black-and-white checkerboard pattern made entirely of marble, a reproduction of the mosaic discovered right here during the archaeological excavations conducted prior to the hotel’s construction. We take a few laps while admiring the garden designed by Louis Benech. Perfect for a spa weekend, there is a a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room, and a 65 m² fitness center where a range of Technogym machines lets you perfect your workout (or just ease your conscience!): stationary bike, rowing machine, treadmill… In both treatment rooms, guests can enjoy a facial by Biologique Recherche, a French brand featuring natural active ingredients. As for body massages, they span the globe: Californian, Swedish, Lomi-Lomi, Abhyanga, hot stone massage, and why not a foot reflexology session? The choice is yours!
Villa Maïa
34 rooms, starting at 436 euros
8 Rue du Professeur Pierre-Marion, 69005 Lyon
Lyon Métropole Hotel
Set in a lush green setting on the banks of the Saône, the Lyon Métropole Hotel, a 4-star hotel just a 10-minute drive from Old Lyon, It seems like the perfect place to recharge your batteries, whether by enjoying strolls through the capital of Gaul, taking in the greenery… or relaxing at the wellness center’s renowned facilities. The 174 rooms, studios, and apartments feature bright, contemporary decor, with some offering a balcony or terrace overlooking the Saône River or the Olympic-size pool. When it comes to dining, after sampling the charms of Lyon’s traditional bouchons, head to Brasserie Lyon Plage. The menu, created by Chef Clément Lopez using seasonal ingredients, features Mediterranean-inspired dishes centered around grilled meats and fish. Tip: Whenever the weather permits, grab a seat on the terrace by the Olympic-sized pool. As for the bar, it offers a nice selection of champagnes and whiskeys. Finally, there’s a playroom for children ages 1 to 6, and babysitters are on hand to watch the kids while parents enjoy the spa.
What's the spa like? The Incredible Spa baptized the Lyon Plage Spa With its 8,000 m² in the heart of Lyon, it is one of the largest spas in a city in France: a 25-meter indoor pool, a 50-meter outdoor Olympic-size pool, the Stalagmit ice fountain, and an open-air hydromassage circuit, a unique concept offering massages and relaxation in water heated to 37°C year-round and the Grotto, a large pool with waterfalls…bubble beds… Not to mention the IYASHI area, which highlights the powers of water, where five treatment rooms feature an Iyashi Dome, an Alpha Sphere, an affusion shower, a floatation pod, and a Caracalla bathtub: experiences not to be missed. Upstairs, you’ll find eight treatment rooms—including two for two—where Lyon Plage’s signature treatments and Cinq Mondes rituals are offered: aAyurvedic, Balinese, Polynesian… and Shiseido skincare products.
Lyon Métropole Hotel
174 rooms, starting at 188 euros
85 Quai Joseph Gillet, 69004 Lyon
Florentine Villa
Ideally located in the historic 5th districte district, the Villa Florentine, a former 17th-century convente century Now a five-star hotel, it offers a superb view of the historic city—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—from its lush terraces. Behind its façade pink and gold, This Relais & Châteaux property reopened in 2026 following a complete renovation led by interior designer Joséphine Fossey. Its rooms and suites, ranging from 23 to 128 m², blend monastic simplicity with Florentine warmth, featuring understated designs accented by natural materials and cozy textiles. Overlooking Lyon, in the convent's former dining room, the restaurant gourmet La Table features a panoramic glass roof offering a superb view while enjoying the The cuisine of Executive Chef Henri Carlier, who also oversees a bistronomic counter, a speakeasy bar called Segreto, and a tea room. The menu promises refined cuisine that showcases fresh, local ingredients through a variety of dining options.
What's the spa like? Now under the Apoticari brand—a skincare line rooted in Auvergne botany—the spa focuses on the power of plants and the precision of its techniques. The hammam, sauna, treatment rooms, and fitness area are arranged around a journey that combines warmth, silence, and movement.
Florentine Villa
42 rooms, starting at 346 euros
25 Montée Saint-Barthélemy, 69005 Lyon
Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa
Located on the Presqu’île, 700 m from Place Bellecour, on the banks of the Rhône, the Boscolo, a five-star The 5-star hotel is housed in a 19th-century palace. A member of the Boscolo Collection since 2016—which celebrates the Dolce Vita—and fully renovated, the hotel features 133 rooms, including 17 suites ranging from 30 m² to 55 m². Their decor blends Italian design with French elegance, and a nice touch: they’re flooded with light thanks to their tall windows. The best part? The 45-square-meter Junior Suite. which enjoy the view of the Rhône. After a stop at Angelo’s Bar, where we’re treated to a selection of Italian classics and exquisite mocktails, we head to the Angelo Restaurant. In a cozy setting—black marble and velvet—you’re transported to Italy through elaborate dishes edited by Chef Antonio Salvati. A tip? Don't miss out on the truffle pizza!
What's the spa like? The hotel’s basement houses a magical 350-square-meter gem: authentic Roman baths. You can’t help but be amazed by the exposed stone walls, vaulted ceilings beneath which a swimming pool lies. It features a Turkish bath and a sauna, as well as 3 treatment rooms, including 1 double room. Guests can pamper themselves with treatments provided under the guidance of the ESPA brand, whose products contain combinations of plant extracts, marine actives, and essential oils.
Boscolo Hotel Lyon
133 rooms, starting at 182 euros
69002 Lyon, Quai Jules Courmont
Le Pavillon Hotel & Spa
For an idyllic getaway just 15 minutes from Lyon, this five-star hotel is the perfect choice. A true oasis of greenery in Charbonnières-les-Bains, with a park featuring century-old trees, this Partouche hotel instantly invites a sense of serenity. The 12 Deluxe Rooms and 10 Junior Suites, featuring decor inspired by the 1930s style blended with contemporary touches—where soft shades of beige take center stage—offer understated luxury. At the Grandioz restaurant, located in the neighboring Pasino Grand, guests can enjoy a varied à la carte menu for lunch and a generous buffet in the evening. Good point: the breakfast and Sunday brunch with its gourmet buffet.
What's the spa like? This haven of serenity, located on the garden level, features 900 m² dedicated exclusively to wellness and offers a soothing view of the park. We love the spacious heated pool and the hot tub, where large floor-to-ceiling windows allow you the luxury of swimming while taking in the surrounding nature—not to mention the essential a hammam with an essential oil diffuser, a sauna, and a nail salon. The treatments are provided by the Sothys brand, offering comprehensive rituals such as the Sothys Secret Ritual, which combines body and facial treatments. The must-visit fitness center allows fitness enthusiasts to round out their wellness experience. The best part? Various « wellness getaway » and «pampering getaway» are available.
Le Pavillon Hotel & Spa
22 rooms, starting at 198 euros
3 Georges Bassinet Ave., 69260 Charbonnières-les-Bains
