Villa Florentine
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Villa Florentine · Lyon, France
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service: The staff is frequently described as warm, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive, with many speaking English.
Expert Review: Villa Florentine
Villa Florentine, Lyon: A Comprehensive Review of the Michelin One-Key Property
Nestled atop the Fourvière hill, Villa Florentine offers a luxurious and historically rich escape with breathtaking panoramic views of Lyon's Old Town. This former 17th-century convent, now a 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, is recognized with a Michelin One-Key, signifying a "very special stay."
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with many describing it as a "wonderful" and "absolutely stunning" hotel. It consistently receives high scores for its location, cleanliness, comfort, and exceptional staff. While some minor critiques exist, the overall sentiment highlights a memorable and luxurious experience.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several standout features:
- Spectacular Views: The most frequently praised aspect is the unparalleled panoramic views over Lyon from the terraces, windows, and outdoor swimming pool.
- Historic Charm & Design: Housed in a beautifully renovated 17th-century convent, the hotel blends Renaissance architecture with Italianate style, featuring high ceilings, classically-painted walls, and luxurious Old World details.
- Outdoor Pool & Spa: The lovely outdoor pool, lined with lounge chairs, offers magnificent city views. A well-equipped wellness area includes a sauna, steam room, and cardio-training room.
- Exceptional Service: The staff is frequently described as warm, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive, with many speaking English.
3. Room Quality
Villa Florentine boasts 29 individually styled rooms and suites, some of which are luxury apartments. Rooms are generally spacious and designed to evoke a Florentine villa, blending stark Italian modernist furniture with Renaissance reproductions and contemporary artworks. Many rooms offer majestic city views, with some even featuring private patios or balconies. Marble bathrooms are a common luxurious touch. While recent renovations in 2015 have updated the property, some older reviews mention that certain room decors or furniture might appear a bit dated in standard rooms, contrasting with more modern Deluxe Rooms or Junior Suites.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, "Les Terrasses de Lyon," is a significant draw, offering fine dining with a magnificent panoramic view, especially from its outdoor terrace in summer. The cuisine focuses on showcasing regional products with refined gourmet dishes. Breakfast, which is often not included in the room rate, is served in a room with city views and offers a selection of fresh, homemade sweet and savory products. While the views and service at the restaurant are highly praised, some recent guest feedback on online forums indicates mixed reviews regarding the food quality itself, with some finding it expensive for the value compared to other gastronomic options in Lyon.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Villa Florentine consistently receives high praise for their exceptional hospitality and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight their friendliness, helpfulness, and willingness to assist with sightseeing and other needs. Multilingual staff are available, enhancing the experience for international visitors. Welcome cocktails are often offered upon arrival.
6. Location & Accessibility
Perched on the Fourvière hill in the heart of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), a UNESCO World Heritage site, the hotel offers an idyllic and picturesque setting. It provides easy access to historic sites like the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, both within walking distance (about a 10-15 minute walk uphill to the Basilica). The Vieux Lyon metro stop is a five to ten-minute walk.
However, the hillside location means access to the old part of Lyon involves several hundred steps, which can be a consideration for some guests. Despite the climb, guests agree that the views make it worthwhile. The hotel offers private parking for a supplement and has accessibility features for wheelchairs with assistance.
7. Value & Pricing
As a 5-star Relais & Châteaux property and a Michelin Key hotel, Villa Florentine is positioned at the higher end of the luxury market in Lyon. Room prices vary, with an average around $442, significantly higher than the average hotel room in Lyon, which is around $146. Guests generally feel that the experience, particularly the views, ambiance, and service, justifies the cost, providing an extraordinary value for a memorable stay. However, some guest reviews suggest that certain aspects, like the restaurant's food or breakfast (an additional €27 for adults), might be considered pricey for the value received.
8. Common Complaints
While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- Dated Room Decor: Despite renovations, some rooms, particularly standard ones, have been described as having somewhat outdated decor or furniture.
- Mixed Restaurant Reviews: While the restaurant's setting and service are lauded, the food quality itself has received mixed reviews, with some guests feeling it is overpriced for the taste.
- Breakfast Not Included: Breakfast is typically an additional charge, which some guests find inconvenient for a luxury property.
- Hillside Access: The numerous steps required to access the old town can be a challenge for guests with mobility issues or those who prefer easier walks.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- •Hillside Access: The numerous steps required to access the old town can be a challenge for guests with mobility issues or those who prefer easier walks.
Google Reviews
1,444 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Paul Keenan
My girlfriend surprised me with a stay here in the hotel, the hotel kindly upgraded us to an incredible room, attention to details were left in the room for my birthday. A short history of the hotel by the head of reception. Fresh juices and cake in the lobby. The hotel is beautiful 400-500 year old converted monastery. Views of the city are amazing. The spa is great but they have an even better ...
Kirby Koo
Beautiful hotel perched above Vieux Lyon; views to match. There is a very convenient staircase (Montée des Chazeaux) adjacent to the hotel that drops you directly into Vieux Lyon (100ft+ climb though😅). For some reason, google walking directions avoids these stairs. If you’re in decent shape, it’s a fun way to zip in and out of the hotel. Service was impeccable. All staff were friendly and spoke...
Response from the owner
Dear Ms. Koo,<br>Please accept our thanks for your kind review.<br><br>We're delighted you chose our hillside retreat for your Lyon stay.<br><br>Our team takes pride in delivering attentive service, a...
Casper Munk Christiansen
Absolutely stunning hotel in Lyon. It's obviously not a cheap hotel, but the service and rooms match the price. The staff was incredibly helpful, competent and friendly. Some of the best service we have ever received! The one-star MICHELIN restaurant is definitely worth a visit. The hotel is ideally located near many sights. The concierge arranged a private walking tour, and we also explored the c...
Response from the owner
Dear Sir,<br>Thank you for sharing your experience with us.<br><br>We are thrilled you chose Hôtel Villa Florentine for your Lyon getaway.<br><br>Our team takes pride in providing attentive service th...
Daniel Kitsoulis
We had a wonderful stay at Villa Florentine. The hotel is beautiful and historic, and the location is amazing on Fourviere Hill with panoramic views of the city. The staff was incredibly professional and welcoming, and very helpful with ensuring we had a great stay in Lyon. From start to finish it was an amazing stay, and we can't wait to come back!
James Zidell
Nicely located just above the old town, but 240 steps down, or walk around, not good for elderly guests. We did fine, but were surprised . Concierge Quentin?, recommended gastronomic restaurant Monsieur P, awaiting their MIchelin Star in '26. Walked there and back. Not to be missed. Perfect. Thanks, jim zidell
Response from the owner
Dear Sir,<br>Thanks for sharing your point of view.<br><br>We're delighted you chose Hôtel Villa Florentine for your Lyon visit.<br><br>Our team takes pride in crafting personalized experiences, and w...
Tyson Smith
Nice view. Clean room. This hotel will not issue 2 keys per room. They also force you to return the key to the front desk or they will not service your room. The key they give you has a extremely heavy and large keychain. Making it impossible to carry.
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Smith,<br>Thank you for taking the time to share your review.<br><br>We sincerely apologize that your experience fell short of expectations at our historic property. Our key management procedu...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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