L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection

Lille, near the Belgian border, is the capital of French Flanders: a fact that is reflected in this hotel’s classic Flemish architecture. Founded as a charity hospital in 1462, its oh-so steep rooflines and graceful leaded windows evoke the Middle Ages; yet other architectural elements -- most notably a contemporary glassed-in courtyard-cum-lounge -- keep it from looking mired in time. The interplay between the past and present is again evident in the common areas. Traditional tapestries hang alongside eye-popping abstract art; exposed beams and brickwork, similarly, are balanced by steel tubing and other industrial flourishes. Old and new are also juxtaposed in a series of meeting rooms, but their presence doesn’t mean the hotel is overrun by business travelers. On the contrary, guests are often culture-loving vacationers or honeymooning couples (some of whom married on-site). 

Occupying a corner lot in central Lille, L'Hermitage Gantois adds character to an otherwise ho-hum streetscape. The closest metro stop is four minutes away, so guests can easily access the efficient public transport system; however, most tourist destinations (including Gare de Lille-Europe, a terminal for Eurostar and high-speed TGV trains) are within walking distance. Bustling Grand-Place (aka Place du Général de Gaulle) is 11 minutes north on foot; lined with flamboyant Baroque buildings and more-restrained Renaissance arcades, this bustling square is Lille’s historic heart. The world-class Palais des Beaux Arts, a Belle-Epoque beauty highlighting Flemish masters, is a five-minute walk west of the hotel; and art lovers prepared to drive can follow up a visit there with trips to LaM and Louvre-Lens. Gorgeous Citadel Park, Lille's largest, is a 10-minute drive away, as is Lille Airport.

• Four-minute walk to Mairie de Lille metro station
• Five-minute walk to Palais des Beaux Arts 
• Eight-minute walk to Eglise Saint-Maurice
• 11-minute walk to Vieille Bourse
• 11-minute walk to Théâtre du Nord
• 12-minute walk to Opéra de Lille
• 16-minute walk to Notre Dame de la Treille 
• 16-minute walk to Gare de Lille-Europe
• 10-minute drive to Citadel Park
• 10-minute drive Lille Airport 
• 12-minute drive to LaM (Lille Métropole Musée d'Art Moderne)
• 34-minute drive to Musée Louvre-Lens

Guest rooms (some of which were once nun’s cells) may not be as ornate as you'd expect based on L'Hermitage Gantois’ common areas. Moreover, they differ widely in size and configuration (choices range from standards that can be as small as 215 square feet to three-room suites that cover twice as much space). All, though, give history a 21st-century tweak. Period elements such as oak wall panels, lime-washed ceiling beams, antique floor tiles or original fireplaces are offset by a Philippe Starck “ghost” chairs and funky aluminum desks. Across all categories, the contemporary-style pillow-top beds are comfortable, and the pretty marble bathrooms come with a shower/tub combo (slippers, robes, hairdryers, and towel warmers are welcome extras, too). Standard modern amenities include air-conditioning, minibars, tea/coffee making facilities, flat-screen TVs, radios, free Wi-Fi and, in all but the lowest category, iPod docks. 

This hotel houses two restaurants, L'Hermitage and L’Estaminet Gantois. The former is a formal gastronomic option that serves French cuisine under a red vaulted ceiling, the latter a brasserie specializing in local dishes. Breakfast can be added on, and round-the-clock room service is available. 

A little library loaded with period charm and a large bar in the contemporary, atrium-style lounge area offer opportunities for relaxation as do the tranquil courtyard gardens. Downstairs, a full-scale spa contains a heated pool and steam room (both free), as well as five rooms for tempting face and body treatments. The pièce de résistance, though, is a meticulously-restored chapel built in 1666. This strikingly beautiful venue, together with the hotel’s team of event planners and caterers, plus 11 spaces suitable for either social or business gatherings, makes L'Hermitage Gantois a memorable setting for weddings. 

Other on-site amenities include a small museum showcasing the property’s history; a 24-hour reception desk with currency exchange and concierge services; valet parking; dry cleaning/laundry services; family-oriented services like babysitting and in-room cribs or cots (all at extra charge); free guided tours; and free Wi-Fi.