L'Arbre Voyageur

L'Arbre Voyageur in Lille, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise from guests, solidifying its reputation as a standout accommodation in the city. Its unique blend of contemporary design, excellent service, and prime location makes it a highly recommended choice for travelers.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with the hotel frequently receiving "Superb" or "Fabulous" ratings across various platforms, often scoring above 8.5 out of 10. The Michelin Guide itself awards it an impressive 19/20, highlighting its quality and guest satisfaction. Travelers consistently commend the hotel for its comfort, the friendliness of its staff, and its strategic location.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud L'Arbre Voyageur for several key aspects:

• Service & Staff: The hospitality is a recurring highlight, with staff described as friendly, helpful, professional, attentive, and smiling.
• Location: Its central position is considered ideal, making it "unbeatable" for exploring Lille. It sits conveniently between the Eurostar station and the Old Town, with major attractions within easy walking distance.
• Design: The hotel's bold and original design, incorporating tropical themes and striking architecture (it was formerly the Polish consulate), creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that surprises and delights guests.
• Amenities: The presence of two well-regarded restaurants, a patisserie, a lounge bar, and comprehensive room services, along with practical offerings like nearby parking and free Wi-Fi, are frequently appreciated. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

Room Quality

Rooms at L'Arbre Voyageur are consistently described as sleek, airy, spacious, clean, and comfortable, offering a "sunny, Mediterranean feel" that belies the northern French city. Each of the 48 rooms and suites boasts a unique personality with varying colors, materials, and atmospheres. Guests can expect high-end bedding, wood floors, bold feature wallpapers, and modern bathrooms equipped with either a walk-in shower or a bathtub. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite and pay-per-view channels, private safes, espresso machines, and a courtesy tray. Premier rooms even offer a complimentary minibar. The sound isolation is also noted for providing a calm environment despite the central location.

Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse and highly-rated dining experience:

• Restaurants: There are two on-site restaurants: "Jane," known for its sophisticated and creative cuisine blending local products with international inspirations, and "Ma Reine," a more casual option offering light salads and gourmet burgers. Both receive enthusiastic comments for their creativity and convivial atmosphere.
• Breakfast: The buffet breakfast is described as "terrific," "gourmand," "copious and extra good," featuring a wide selection of breads, pastries from the hotel's own patisserie (Le Colibri), yogurts, cold meats, cheeses, cooked eggs, and excellent coffee. It's available for a surcharge, with room service and an express breakfast option also provided.
• Pâtisserie Le Colibri: This on-site bakery tempts guests with unique pastry creations and artisan breads.

Service & Staff

The service at L'Arbre Voyageur is a consistent highlight. Guests frequently praise the staff as "very friendly and helpful," "professional," "smiling," and "attentive." Many reviews emphasize the discreet yet efficient assistance provided, contributing significantly to a lovely and comfortable stay.

Location & Accessibility

L'Arbre Voyageur boasts an "unbeatable" and "ideal" central location, making it perfect for exploring Lille on foot.

• Neighborhood & Attractions: It is situated a few minutes' walk from the charming cobblestone streets of Old Lille, the Grand Place, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, and the Hospice Comtesse. Other nearby attractions include the Place du Théâtre, the Cannoneer's Museum, and the Old Stock Exchange. The Lille Zoo and the Birthplace of Charles de Gaulle are also within a manageable walking distance.
• Transport: The hotel is extremely well-connected, just a 5-minute walk from the Gare Lille-Flandres metro station and within a 5-10 minute walk of both Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe train stations.
• Parking: For those arriving by car, parking is available nearby at the EFFIA Opéra car park, located only 50 meters from the hotel, for a fee.

Value & Pricing

Many guests consider L'Arbre Voyageur to offer "good value" or a "tres bon rapport qualité-prix" (very good value for money). Room prices typically start around €111 to €117. Given the high standard of service, comfort, and amenities, along with its prime location, guests generally feel it is well worth the cost.

Common Complaints

While overall reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted:

• Some older reviews mentioned a weak Wi-Fi connection, though this is not a widespread current complaint.
• One isolated incident reported a non-working TV, poor lighting in a specific room (room 2), a cold room despite the air conditioning, and a shower needing a good clean. These appear to be exceptions rather than common issues, as cleanliness and room quality are generally highly praised.
• One expert review noted the hotel's location on a "busy, windswept boulevard," but this is often outweighed by its proximity to the city's main attractions.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. agoda.com
3. booking.com
4. lille-hotels.com
5. hotels.com
6. expedia.co.uk
7. booking.com
8. booking.com
9. lille-hotel.com
10. hotels.com
11. booking.com
12. thehotelguru.com
13. lillehotels.org
14. hotelarbrevoyageur.com
15. booking.com
16. hotelsinlille.com