Hilton Lyon {FRA} (no longer Honors)
Nov 25, 2008, 8:57 am
#91
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,403
Excellent !
I am currently staying for three nights at the Hilton Lyon during a major EC event. I had booked the three nights separately, and based on the first night, the Executive Lounge supervisor had upgraded me from a standard twin room to one of the ... King Empire suites on the 8th floor ! When I told her I was actually staying three nights, she nevertheless decided to give me the room for three nights. 
It is a very large and elegant (style Empire) two room corner suite with a nice spacious living room, a bedroom and two bathrooms, one of which has a jacuzzi. There is a balcony on one side and a wider one on the other side with some plants and small trees, a lounge area as well as a table, perfect for my smoking guests.
The Executive Lounge is as pleasant as ever with nice patisseries in the afternoon, and the rest of the hotel seems perfectly well maintained. By the way, the hotel is very easy to reach from Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu with the C1 trolleybus. It is the penultimate stop, Musée d'Art Contemporain, right after the Interpol stop. Even if you miss it, it is a short walk from the last stop, Cité Internationale - Centre de Congrès.
I am looking forward to the remainder of my stay, which is quite a change from my previous night at the Holiday Garden Inn located in front of the former Gare des Brotteaux, clean and pleasant too, but quite in a different league
.
It is a very large and elegant (style Empire) two room corner suite with a nice spacious living room, a bedroom and two bathrooms, one of which has a jacuzzi. There is a balcony on one side and a wider one on the other side with some plants and small trees, a lounge area as well as a table, perfect for my smoking guests.
The Executive Lounge is as pleasant as ever with nice patisseries in the afternoon, and the rest of the hotel seems perfectly well maintained. By the way, the hotel is very easy to reach from Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu with the C1 trolleybus. It is the penultimate stop, Musée d'Art Contemporain, right after the Interpol stop. Even if you miss it, it is a short walk from the last stop, Cité Internationale - Centre de Congrès.
I am looking forward to the remainder of my stay, which is quite a change from my previous night at the Holiday Garden Inn located in front of the former Gare des Brotteaux, clean and pleasant too, but quite in a different league
.
May 17, 2010, 11:54 am
#93
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
I'm hoping for a nice experience on this upcoming stay. If you're going to be in the Lyon area, I'd highly recommend this hotel.
May 18, 2010, 1:40 am
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: UA 1K [0.280MM since Feb 25, '02], UA Red Carpet Club, HH Diamond, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 846
I have the same question. I have reservation at this hotel for 2 nights in July for family vacation. My previous stay a few years ago was very positive with upgrade to a nice big room, junior suite?
I'm hoping for a nice experience on this upcoming stay. If you're going to be in the Lyon area, I'd highly recommend this hotel.
I'm hoping for a nice experience on this upcoming stay. If you're going to be in the Lyon area, I'd highly recommend this hotel.
Oct 8, 2010, 4:42 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: FLL, FL, USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Goldpointsplus Gold, Avis First
Posts: 148
This reply is a little late for the previous posts asking about the Hilton Lyon. The hotel is a little remote from the city center but it is well worth the stay especially if you are Diamond or Gold beacuse of the upgrade policy. The city center is just a short cab ride from the hotel. I've have stayed a many European Hiltons some of which are better located and more attractive, but not one so well managed. The employees and the service they rendered were outstanding. The rooms were perfect, well maintained, and most of all commodious. If I had business within a reasonable drive from this hotel I would go out of my way to stay at the Lyon Hilton. If you are considering staying at the Lyon Hilton for either business or pleasure don't hesitate to book this property, you'll be happy that you did.
Mar 12, 2011, 3:37 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
I've been going to the Hilton Lyon 1-2 times a year for some time now. It is a good hotel, which like most French Hiltons (Evian being a prime exemple) distinctly feels (felt?) like a well-managed property.
However on my last stay there were a few small slip-ups which would have been unthinkable before. As a HH Gold I was used to an upgrade to a Rhone view executive room even when booked on the lowest available rate. Well, I was assigned one, given a key for one (I had it in hand and checked its number later), but the check-in clerk realized I was upgraded and called me back, claiming an error had been made, and gave me the key to a somewhat less desirable park view executive room instead. It being a summer weekend, the hotel was nearly empty, and the exec lounge completely so, thus the downgrade pure pettiness.
The park view is just as nice as the river view, and quieter, but the room was prepared for a single guest (slippers, bathrobe, and towels) - we were two -, remained so after turndown service, and the usual welcome sweets were never delivered/transferred (they had always been already in the room upon arrival).
Lastly, the balcony door's bottom rubbed against the balcony's concrete floor, a maintenance issue not encountered before.
Also, in the past I always got an email questionnaire shortly after my stay, with any subpar ratings followed up. On this one occasion when I could have used one, there was none.
The part-time lounge hostess, while polite, was also not as hospitable and pleasantly courteous as previously.
I do hope those were one-time, perhaps summertime staff errors. Little details are what separate a good hotel from an outstanding one, which I feel the Hilton Lyon was in the past.
Anyway, it remains an above-average Hilton and a great value especially for Gold/Diamonds when occupancy is low. Avoid its Thai restaurant, its price/taste ratio is unimpressive.
However on my last stay there were a few small slip-ups which would have been unthinkable before. As a HH Gold I was used to an upgrade to a Rhone view executive room even when booked on the lowest available rate. Well, I was assigned one, given a key for one (I had it in hand and checked its number later), but the check-in clerk realized I was upgraded and called me back, claiming an error had been made, and gave me the key to a somewhat less desirable park view executive room instead. It being a summer weekend, the hotel was nearly empty, and the exec lounge completely so, thus the downgrade pure pettiness.
The park view is just as nice as the river view, and quieter, but the room was prepared for a single guest (slippers, bathrobe, and towels) - we were two -, remained so after turndown service, and the usual welcome sweets were never delivered/transferred (they had always been already in the room upon arrival).
Lastly, the balcony door's bottom rubbed against the balcony's concrete floor, a maintenance issue not encountered before.
Also, in the past I always got an email questionnaire shortly after my stay, with any subpar ratings followed up. On this one occasion when I could have used one, there was none.
The part-time lounge hostess, while polite, was also not as hospitable and pleasantly courteous as previously.
I do hope those were one-time, perhaps summertime staff errors. Little details are what separate a good hotel from an outstanding one, which I feel the Hilton Lyon was in the past.
Anyway, it remains an above-average Hilton and a great value especially for Gold/Diamonds when occupancy is low. Avoid its Thai restaurant, its price/taste ratio is unimpressive.
Aug 13, 2011, 7:02 am
#98
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: PARIS, FRANCE
Programs: HH, FB, PC, SPG, UA
Posts: 24
Hilton Lyon (France) could be no more a Hilton hotel
Recently found by an internet link (this link is in French: http://www.pros-du-tourisme.com/actu...repreneur.html). It’s said that the owner of the hotel HILTON Lyon + Casino (group PARTOUCHE) wants to sell it to a new owner. A first contact was done with ACCOR HOTELS (Pullman) with no deal. Does it mean that Hilton will be leaving Lyon? That will be really a bad news!
Aug 13, 2011, 7:08 am
#99
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: PARIS, FRANCE
Programs: HH, FB, PC, SPG, UA
Posts: 24
Hilton Lyon (France) could be no more a Hilton hotel
Recently found by an internet link (this link is in French: http://www.pros-du-tourisme.com/actu...repreneur.html). It’s said that the owner of the hotel HILTON Lyon + Casino (group PARTOUCHE) wants to sell it to a new owner. A first contact was done with ACCOR HOTELS (Pullman) with no deal. Does it mean that Hilton will be leaving Lyon? That will be really a bad news!
Aug 13, 2011, 7:33 pm
#100
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
Recently found by an internet link (this link is in French: http://www.pros-du-tourisme.com/actu...repreneur.html). It’s said that the owner of the hotel HILTON Lyon + Casino (group PARTOUCHE) wants to sell it to a new owner. A first contact was done with ACCOR HOTELS (Pullman) with no deal. Does it mean that Hilton will be leaving Lyon? That will be really a bad news!
We were here on vacation July 2010 and had a very enjoyable stay. I was upgraded to a junior suite and we were able to have aroll away bed for my daughter at no extra charge. The staff were all very friendly. The location is not the most convenient for old town or city center. But the park next to the hotel is a nice place to walk and relax.
Apr 25, 2012, 12:29 am
#102
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
Here this week for the first time in 5-6 years. Still a lovely property. The upgrades (river front suite) and amenities including a good lounge more than offset the location (10 minute/€10 taxi ride to the centre.)
Apr 28, 2012, 1:30 pm
#103
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Bit of a mixed bag...
Hilton Lyon... 27 - 29 Apr 2012
The hotel is part of a large somewhat modernistic complex of brick and glass buildings including a convention centre, a museum, several small cafés and restaurants, a "tabac" shop for your SIMs, tobacco and the like, a casino, the "Elephant" Thai restaurant and pretty good Bistro (staff on the whole had more of a "can do" attitude, and consider yourself lucky if you are served by Hamid) situated on the banks of the Rhône river.
We came to rid ourselves of jet lag prior to taking the train to Chalon sur Saône and take a break for a couple of days (we'll be back to see the old town and sights later, but not staying at this hotel.) It served the purpose, no more and no less.
The arrival and greeting: We arrived from the SNCF / TGV station Gare Part Dieu (about ten minutes by taxi, €13.50 with two 22" rollaboard baggage surcharge) and checked in without problem.
We had been upgraded to a suite on the 8th (Executive) floor with very nice Rhône views, a sleeping room, sitting room and outside balcony. The management sent up a plate with three mini-desserts and a welcome card.
The bad: Front desk staff is pretty uncaring; don't expect them to go any father than the basics, and they will be pleasant. They do have local and park maps - great for walkers and joggers - but they do not even know the hours for the hotel's restaurants - we got several answers, none of them correct, and the hotel apparently isn't interested in maximizing value added or marketing: no hotel book in the room with restaurant and hours information, though there is an in-room dining menu, a booklet on the spa and a local shopping booklet.
The room: Furnishings are a bit on the older side, but comfortable, with a queen bed flanked by small drum end tables and lights, a desk with task chair, telephone and outlets (Ethernet, two 220 V standard "Euro" outlets), an armchair, chest of drawers with flat screen television, a very tired luggage jack. (WiFi is Swisscom and the free Internet for statusholders is Swisscom "Economy" for 24 hours, not fast enough for decent Skype calls if you want any video, which would cost €17.00 for 24 hours - the alternative is to buy "Business" at €22.00 for 24 hours or €88.00 for seven days.)
The spacious closet has a safe openable with code or your magnetic stripe card, ironing set and some minor amenities.
The bad: completely insufficient lighting, given the ONLY lighting for this room are the two lamps on the bed end tables! As well, the HVAC does not work - with the setting to coldest, the room was 76F / 24.5 C last night and today got to 80F / 27C with the northwest exposure and some sunshine, and a duvet to cover up with (no sheet). Last night, 79F / 26C! No windows that open... and much cooler outside.
The bedroom has a nice spacious bathroom with white tiles, good lighting and a stone sink counter, 110 / 220 VAC razor outlet, hair dryer, large tub and corner glass-enclosed shower; Peter Thomas Roth amenities are in evidence, thick large bath towels, hand towels and even wash cloths (not in all European hotels), two luxurious terry bathrobes and pairs of slippers. The shower is a telephone wand on rack with double dial controls with detents, courtesy of Hans Grohe.
Yeah, if you want to read a book or your reader in the evening, the bathtub is the best place, assuming you can make it comfortable.
The bad: the shower enclosure leaks water around the door seal, and when the faucet was installed the plumbing was crossed, so hot and cold pipes are run incorrectly. Someone was tasked with placing large red and blue dots in the proper places so people aren't taken by surprise, but... the dots are positioned as if the plumbing had been installed properly, so the confusion is now doubled for some.
The sitting room is basically a remodeled bedroom with sofa, table, leather armchair and a floor lamp in addition to a very dim corner lamp, pricey minibar in a stand-alone closet, small chest of drawers with flat screen television. (Unfortunately, the sofa is not a sofa bed, so the hotel has missed an opportunity here.)
There is a full bath here as well - but no tub, though inexplicably it does have two robe and slippers sets and full towels, bath amenities.
All in all, nice views, good location for walks in the "La Tete d'Or" park with a bit over 4 km of peripheral paved trails and many packed dirt trails, water features, a small, well kept zoo, and a ton of amenities for the children, including a gorgeous carousel made in 1908 (Gavioli & Co., Paris), a small train, etc. There are some snack shops.
The Executive Lounge opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. Soft drinks, Nespresso machine, teas, Leffe Blonde and Heineken are available at all times. Lovely river views, spacious and with a nice balcony for those wanting some air (or smokers). They are pretty rigid about items being removed to one's room - not acceptable, nor are bathrobes and sleep attire in the lounge.
Lounge Breakfast is served 6:30 - 10:00 (-11:00 weekends), light afternoon tea 3 - 6 PM, and evening canapés and drinks 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Breakfast consists of some breads, pastries, fruits in light syrup, yoghurt, toast and toaster, a platter of scrambled eggs, juices, coffees and teas, eh, fair at best. (If you can get breakfast in the Bistro, better with more selection including some vegetables, smoked salmon, etc.) Evening service includes hot and cold canapés, reasonable local wines and Piper-Heidsieck red label (N.B. the red label Piper goes for :kaff: €14.00 a glass in the bistro...) It's not bad.
There seems to be WiFi as I saw some using their laptops, but there is no computer available to guests. There is a single bathroom. Guests are welcome - each pays €25.00 for all day access. There is a limited number of magazines and newspapers, and a large screen television. The staff is welcoming, but pretty clueless - don't ask and you will be better off.
Executive summary: OK if dated mixed bag hotel in an events centre and park setting out of the town centre with some comforts and discomforts to balance the former. With a little work and staff training it could be so much better. (Of course, I am in France, and am aware I would get more love as a repeat customer - it's often about relationships.)
The hotel is part of a large somewhat modernistic complex of brick and glass buildings including a convention centre, a museum, several small cafés and restaurants, a "tabac" shop for your SIMs, tobacco and the like, a casino, the "Elephant" Thai restaurant and pretty good Bistro (staff on the whole had more of a "can do" attitude, and consider yourself lucky if you are served by Hamid) situated on the banks of the Rhône river.
We came to rid ourselves of jet lag prior to taking the train to Chalon sur Saône and take a break for a couple of days (we'll be back to see the old town and sights later, but not staying at this hotel.) It served the purpose, no more and no less.
The arrival and greeting: We arrived from the SNCF / TGV station Gare Part Dieu (about ten minutes by taxi, €13.50 with two 22" rollaboard baggage surcharge) and checked in without problem.
We had been upgraded to a suite on the 8th (Executive) floor with very nice Rhône views, a sleeping room, sitting room and outside balcony. The management sent up a plate with three mini-desserts and a welcome card.
The bad: Front desk staff is pretty uncaring; don't expect them to go any father than the basics, and they will be pleasant. They do have local and park maps - great for walkers and joggers - but they do not even know the hours for the hotel's restaurants - we got several answers, none of them correct, and the hotel apparently isn't interested in maximizing value added or marketing: no hotel book in the room with restaurant and hours information, though there is an in-room dining menu, a booklet on the spa and a local shopping booklet.
The room: Furnishings are a bit on the older side, but comfortable, with a queen bed flanked by small drum end tables and lights, a desk with task chair, telephone and outlets (Ethernet, two 220 V standard "Euro" outlets), an armchair, chest of drawers with flat screen television, a very tired luggage jack. (WiFi is Swisscom and the free Internet for statusholders is Swisscom "Economy" for 24 hours, not fast enough for decent Skype calls if you want any video, which would cost €17.00 for 24 hours - the alternative is to buy "Business" at €22.00 for 24 hours or €88.00 for seven days.)
The spacious closet has a safe openable with code or your magnetic stripe card, ironing set and some minor amenities.
The bad: completely insufficient lighting, given the ONLY lighting for this room are the two lamps on the bed end tables! As well, the HVAC does not work - with the setting to coldest, the room was 76F / 24.5 C last night and today got to 80F / 27C with the northwest exposure and some sunshine, and a duvet to cover up with (no sheet). Last night, 79F / 26C! No windows that open... and much cooler outside.
The bedroom has a nice spacious bathroom with white tiles, good lighting and a stone sink counter, 110 / 220 VAC razor outlet, hair dryer, large tub and corner glass-enclosed shower; Peter Thomas Roth amenities are in evidence, thick large bath towels, hand towels and even wash cloths (not in all European hotels), two luxurious terry bathrobes and pairs of slippers. The shower is a telephone wand on rack with double dial controls with detents, courtesy of Hans Grohe.
Yeah, if you want to read a book or your reader in the evening, the bathtub is the best place, assuming you can make it comfortable.
The bad: the shower enclosure leaks water around the door seal, and when the faucet was installed the plumbing was crossed, so hot and cold pipes are run incorrectly. Someone was tasked with placing large red and blue dots in the proper places so people aren't taken by surprise, but... the dots are positioned as if the plumbing had been installed properly, so the confusion is now doubled for some.
The sitting room is basically a remodeled bedroom with sofa, table, leather armchair and a floor lamp in addition to a very dim corner lamp, pricey minibar in a stand-alone closet, small chest of drawers with flat screen television. (Unfortunately, the sofa is not a sofa bed, so the hotel has missed an opportunity here.)
There is a full bath here as well - but no tub, though inexplicably it does have two robe and slippers sets and full towels, bath amenities.
All in all, nice views, good location for walks in the "La Tete d'Or" park with a bit over 4 km of peripheral paved trails and many packed dirt trails, water features, a small, well kept zoo, and a ton of amenities for the children, including a gorgeous carousel made in 1908 (Gavioli & Co., Paris), a small train, etc. There are some snack shops.
The Executive Lounge opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. Soft drinks, Nespresso machine, teas, Leffe Blonde and Heineken are available at all times. Lovely river views, spacious and with a nice balcony for those wanting some air (or smokers). They are pretty rigid about items being removed to one's room - not acceptable, nor are bathrobes and sleep attire in the lounge.
Lounge Breakfast is served 6:30 - 10:00 (-11:00 weekends), light afternoon tea 3 - 6 PM, and evening canapés and drinks 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Breakfast consists of some breads, pastries, fruits in light syrup, yoghurt, toast and toaster, a platter of scrambled eggs, juices, coffees and teas, eh, fair at best. (If you can get breakfast in the Bistro, better with more selection including some vegetables, smoked salmon, etc.) Evening service includes hot and cold canapés, reasonable local wines and Piper-Heidsieck red label (N.B. the red label Piper goes for :kaff: €14.00 a glass in the bistro...) It's not bad.
There seems to be WiFi as I saw some using their laptops, but there is no computer available to guests. There is a single bathroom. Guests are welcome - each pays €25.00 for all day access. There is a limited number of magazines and newspapers, and a large screen television. The staff is welcoming, but pretty clueless - don't ask and you will be better off.
Executive summary: OK if dated mixed bag hotel in an events centre and park setting out of the town centre with some comforts and discomforts to balance the former. With a little work and staff training it could be so much better. (Of course, I am in France, and am aware I would get more love as a repeat customer - it's often about relationships.)
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 25, 2015 at 7:50 pm Reason: update and correct "tights" tyop
Apr 28, 2012, 7:01 pm
#105
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
The Executive Lounge is highly variable. During our vacation stay in July 2010, there was an attendant who was very good. We asked for and were provided recommendations for restaurants in walking distance that were excellent. One in particular was a little family restaurant that had great innovative deserts.