Hotel du Simplon

The Hotel du Simplon is a charming 37-room boutique hotel that strives to offer more than simple accommodation; it tries to give its guests a home. You may be justifiably skeptical. After all, so many modern hotels claim to provide a "homey" experience. However, as soon as you step through the doors of the Hotel du Simplon, or even just look at the pictures, you can tell that something is different.

Glancing around the public lounge, at the comfortable armchairs set around a glass coffee table, to the piano, which anyone is welcome to play, tucked away in one corner, the words that come to mind aren't "What a lovely hotel," but rather, "Wow, whose house is this?" The wood-accented stairs that lead to the upper floors and of course, the rooms themselves, reinforce this comfortable, homey impression.

Your Room at the Hotel du Simplon

Each room at the Hotel du Simplon has a different look and feel (just as the guest rooms in a family home all look different). This means that if you are a returning guest and would like the same room, you should ask for it specifically, because if you're put in a different room, it might have an entirely different feel.

Still, each room has similar elements. They all have a recognizable color scheme, usually blues, yellows, and reds, and all have beautiful hardwood elements. They are also each sound proofed and come with their own shower, TV, toilet, desk, and phone.

Of course, what home would be complete without the possibility of breakfast in bed? That's right, if you can't pull yourself out of bed to attack the breakfast buffet, which runs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., you can have a continental breakfast delivered to your room.

Near the Hotel du Simplon

Located just north of Perrache Station, between the Rhône and Saône Rivers, the Hotel du Simplon is ideally located for leisure and business travelers alike. History and architecture fans will love how accessible Bellecour Square and St. Jean Cathedral are from the Hotel du Simplon, while civics buffs enjoy the short walk to Lyon City Hall. If you need to get anywhere else in the city, you can take the metro from Perrache Station.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a home away from home in Lyon, France, you should definitely consider the Hotel du Simplon. You won't be disappointed.