Hôtel de l’Abbaye – Chic Boutique Hotel in Lyon, France

If you have followed my Instagram for the past month or so, I flew to France with a companion, specifically to Lyon and Paris. I needed to get out of the U.S. and given that I am double vaccinated many months ago, I might as well try to embark on a long-ish flight. (Thankfully, the French government converted my paper vaccination card to a QR code before I headed there.) My general travel itinerary was to fly from JFK directly to CDG (Paris) and take the train to Lyon then take the train back to Paris and stay there until it was time to fly back home.

While I was at Lyon, we stayed at Hôtel de l’Abbaye. This super chic boutique hotel was formerly the abbey’s presbytery, this elegant structure is built in the style of a Florentine palazzo. The building and its interiors are sophisticated without ever feeling fussy. Service is friendly and personal. Reception staff are happy to help with local recommendations and activities.

Designed to mirror a grand, modern residence, the bar, lounge and dining room flank an impressive central stone staircase around which the bedrooms revolve. There’s a luxurious look at all the spaces. They harmoniously combine family heirlooms – such as the magnificent carved wooden reception bureau – with signature design pieces, sculptural light fittings and sumptuous fabrics, for which Lyon is famous.

I have booked the “L’Ecrin” room (their standard room) was gorgeous and surprisingly spacious than what is expected of any European hotel room. There’s a chaise lounge, small coffee table, small refrigerator, and a very comfortable king sized bed. The bathroom is on the small side but it’s nicely it is beautifully finished in terrazzo tiles and brass fittings, and are furnished with a bathtub and overhead shower.

The restaurant, L’Artichaut, meanwhile, is dedicated to showcasing seasonal, local produce in a smart, pared-back dining room, which is open Tuesday to Saturday. During the weekdays, they have a fantastic three-course lunch prix fixe for 26 Euros. The food was overall perfectly seasoned and cooked very nicely. When I ate there, their trout was my favorite savory dish; wonderfully crisp skin and the flesh was not overcooked.