I place the Intercontinental at the same level as the Sofitel Bellecour - OK if you can't get in anywhere else.

My work took and will take me to Lyon quite often and I have developed a soft spot for the Boscolo, they just seem to manage everything very well and it's generally cheaper than the Intercontinental. At a push the Villa Maia is OK, but tries to be a bit trendy and fills with tourists and Salesmen of the Year, who seem to have never seen a bar before.

The Boscolo in Nice isn't as good in terms of food and service.