7 B Square Morisson, Lille, France | (888) 710-7049
Excellent location near Lille's center, walking distance to attractions
Playful, retro interiors throughout with loads of atmospheric details
Fashionable rooms with Nespresso machines and iPod docks
Rooms have free minibar drinks in rooms and L’Occitane products
Restaurant with an attractive outdoor terrace sporting sun umbrellas
Functional fitness center with cardio and weight-lifting equipment
Meeting room with AV equipment available
Free Wi-Fi
Fee for buffet breakfast
Restaurant does not serve dinner
Noise on lower floors, particularly over the bar
No parking at hotel
The quirky façade of this four-pearl boutique hotel -- punched through with oval windows -- gives ample indication of the playful, ‘60s- and ‘70s-inspired design inside. Underneath the retro veneer, however, the hotel is entirely modern and tech-savvy with iPod docks and Nespresso machines in its 46 rooms. Its location on the southwest side of Lille Centre is a particular bonus, too, putting the city’s main attractions, and all their Old World, Flemish grandeur, in easy walking distance. Traffic noise around the intersection can bother some, but rooms are soundproofed. In terms of design, the Why Hotel's fun and fresh look is hard to beat, but travelers could also consider the Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place on the northeast side of town.
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Scene
A playful boutique hotel with flashy decor inspired by the 1960s and '70s
The almost psychedelic facade of this hotel -- with its rows of oval windows -- sets the tone for the interior. Circular motifs abound in the common areas and are mirrored by similarly playful approach to upholstery, wallpaper, light fixtures, and other furnishings, including a glass reception desk built around vintage kitchen cabinetry. The sleek, airy, blue-tinged restaurant adjacent the lobby, busiest in the morning, is flooded with sunlight thanks to wrap around windows, some of the few square ones in the building. The flirtatious quirk of the design makes the hotel a favorite for couples, particularly from France, The Netherlands, and the U.K., usually in town for pleasure, not business.
Location
Near the heart of Lille and its top attractions
One block northeast of the Boulevard de la Liberté, where the city walls once ran, the Best Western Premier Why Hotel occupies a busy corner of Square Morisson. This makes it a prime location for exploring sights both in Lille’s old and new towns. Public transport is never far away in Lille, thanks to a comprehensive network of metro, tram, and bus lines that serve most everywhere in the city, and the Rihour metro station is just three minutes away by foot. To reach the airport, hop on the Lille Airport Shuttle, which makes the 20-minute trip once per hour, dropping off and picking up riders in front of Euralille mall, between the two train stations.- One-minute walk to Palais Rihour
Rooms
Cheery retro design and excellent bathrooms
The 46 rooms and suites continue the playful design of the common areas, albeit with a bit more restraint. Blond-wood floors, coffee-brown bedding, and tan furniture give a neutral backdrop for funky wallpaper and the hotel's signature oval windows. All rooms are soundproofed and come with flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, Nespresso coffee machines, air-conditioning, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The free minibar is a particular highlight, with water, soft drinks, and beer for the taking. Bathrooms are arguably the most stylish space, with the oval motif carried on in the mirror, sink, and shelving combo. In addition to the much-praised rainfall showers, all come with hairdryers, bathrobes, and L’Occitane products. By and large, the higher the floor, the quieter the rumble from the traffic below. The view also improves, particularly in the Terrace Suite, the only room with a balcony. The property has some connecting rooms as well.
Features
A solid lineup of modern amenities, including an impressive lunch bistro
The Why Hotel may have quirky, boutique design, but when it comes to features, it has the dependable lineup of a Best Western property. The restaurant serves and excellent continental breakfast buffet (for a fee) and thoughtfully curated bistro-style lunch on weekdays, with everything from vanilla monkfish to Thai style snail casserole. Outdoor seating is available, for those that want to dine alfresco. The bar, open in the evenings, also works hard to impress, with an extensive selection of whiskeys, gins, vodkas and rums, all accompanied by a live DJ from Thursday to Saturday evening. Guests in town for business can make use of a large private meeting room (with screen and video projector), but the hotel lacks a business center. It does however have a fitness center, which is small but covers the basics for cardio and weight-lifting. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
