Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux Arts

Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux Arts is housed in an white Beaux Arts corner building on a busy street of similar Neo-Classical buildings with shopfronts on the ground floor. Beyond the black wrought-iron entrance doors is the bright lobby area with an attractive modern decor. Black bar stools are lined up along a white counter with a variety of wines displayed in a glass showcase. To one end of the lobby is a seating area, outfitted with gray contemporary-style sofas, black armchairs, and low coffee tables. Hallways are decorated in similar tones: Black ceilings and doors, gray carpets, and turquoise and white contrasting walls. The vast majority of guests staying here are couples visiting the city as leisure travelers.

Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux Arts is located on the corner of a busy main street in the heart of Lyon's historic city center, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Situated just off Place des Jacobins in the middle of the Presqu'ile district, and between the Rhone and Saone rivers, this neighborhood is known for its many cafes, bars, restaurants, luxury shops, department stores, and cultural venues, like theaters and art galleries. The Museum of Fine Arts is just around the corner, a one-minute walk away, while the Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts is a 12-minute walk from the hotel. Rue de la Republique, one of the city's best-known pedestrian shopping streets, is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Many popular tourist sights can also be easily reached on foot from here: It's a 10-minute walk to Saint-Jean Cathedral, 13 minutes to Saint George's Church, and 11 minutes to the historic old town (also called Vieux Lyon). The closest metro stations are Bellecour or Cordeliers Bourse, both a five-minute walk away, and Perrache train station is just three stops away on the metro. Lyon's Saint-Exupery Airport is a 32-minute drive from the hotel. 

The spotless guest rooms at Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux Arts are spacious and elegant, with charming architectural details like high ceilings and double French doors opening out to balconies. The color palette is made up of earth tones: brown striped wall-to-wall carpets, beige walls, curtains, and bed runners, complemented by espresso-colored furniture. Contemporary-style armchairs upholstered in a zebra print, faux leather footstools, and large architectural murals behind the beds add stylish flourishes. The bathrooms have a vintage look to them, thanks to white ceramic pedestal sinks, and the blue grout between tiles adds a jaunty splash of color. They're outfitted with shower and tub combos, and feature magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and Mercure hotel brand toiletries. All the guest rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, and minibars; while the higher category Privilege Rooms have notable extras like iPhone/iPad docking stations, and Nespresso machines. These rooms also tend to be street-facing with views from the balconies. Note that interior courtyard rooms can be dark.

On-site features are limited at the Mercure Lyon, which isn't uncommon for mid-range Lyon hotels. There's no full restaurant, but a hot and cold breakfast buffet is served each morning in the breakfast room -- though it's not included in room rates and costs a significant fee. The bar in the lobby area is open throughout the day, and serves different regional wines and cocktails. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, and a computer is at guests' disposal in the lobby. There's no on-site parking, but guests can use the nearby public parking lot, though it's expensive. A better means of transportation could be the hotel's electric bicycles, which are loaned out free of charge. Additional services include dry cleaning, luggage storage, and free newspapers. Pets are welcome, but owners may be charged an extra fee depending on their size.