Hotel Lyon Metropole

The Hotel Lyon Metropole has a blocky exterior that looks lifted straight out of an office park, and the interiors don't exactly go above this level of charm. The two-floor entrance has a strikingly patterned marble floor and a red wall next to the front desk that warms up the space. However, the lobby and seating areas lack much contemporary style and have a chain-hotel ambience, with black-leather couches underneath low, dark ceilings, and mostly unremarkable artwork on the walls. The Olympic-size pool, with plenty of lounge chairs, is open to outside guests and has the vibe of a public pool. The Brasserie Lyon Plage, with hardwood floors, wood-lined ceilings, and antique brass light fixtures, is the most attractive spot in the hotel. The hotel draws a mix of business travelers, couples, and families. 

The hotel sits opposite the Soane River in northern Lyon near several office buildings but not many restaurants, shops, or sights. There’s access to the riverbank, which is a nice spot for runners and walkers, and it’s a 20-minute walk to the picturesque Pont de l'ile Barbe suspension bridge and the Cuire Metro station. It’s a 15-minute drive to the heart of Lyon's old city, and a bus that goes to the city center stops in front of the hotel twice an hour -- the trip takes about 20 minutes. Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel. 

The 174 modern rooms include larger studios and 17 apartments with kitchenettes and living rooms that start at 25 square meters (269 square feet). The rooms are spacious and straightforward, with basic decor includes light-wood furniture, gray bed linens, and red throw pillows. Rooms have swirl-patterned or solid-colored carpeting, or bare hardwood floors, but like the hotel's public areas the style is similar to generically pleasant chain hotels. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, robes and slippers, and free Wi-Fi, with views of the Saone River or the pool; some rooms have small Astroturf-covered balconies. Large bathrooms are large have plenty of counter space, magnifying mirrors, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Some bathrooms have faux-wood tile floors, while others are outfitted in more attractive mosaic tilework. 

Brasserie Lyon Plage serves lunch and dinner, while the generous breakfast buffet is served for an additional fee in a cafeteria-style breakfast room. The brasserie has an outdoor seating area overlooking the hotel's Olympic-size pool, which is open in the summer months. The pool area is lined with lounge chairs, and there’s a lazy river-style hot tub. There’s also an indoor pool with a hot tub, a spa area with a sauna and Turkish bath, and a gym with cardio machines. There are fees attached to spa usage. There are four indoor and outdoor tennis courts. The hotel’s 11 meeting rooms have views of the pool or the river. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and outdoor parking is free.