42 Best Hotels in Lyon and the Alps, France

Luxury, coziness, and charm seamlessly align at this gracious palace hotel where fulfilling guests' every desire is not just a point of pride but a mandate. Need more water? Four bottles magically appear. Feel like a dogsled ride over the snowy peaks? The concierge will arrange it, Champagne included. With four restaurants and two bars on the premises, and a bistro on the nearby slopes, there's no lack of variety, especially at the Table des Airelles, whose cornucopia buffet proffers every imaginable delicacy, from the freshest sushi to a cheeseburger grilled to order, with a magical dessert table brimming with every sweet you could desire. Rooms are luxe chalet-style, with elegant wood moulding, plush jewel-toned furniture, and Oriental carpets. The in-hotel ski shop will outfit you in the finest gear so you can glide onto the pistes in style. Après ski, enjoy a swim in the spacious pool or a treatment at the La Mer spa. Teatime or an apéro by the fire is a ritual. Several private apartment suites are perfect for families and those who prefer more privacy.

A destination in itself, Lady Hamlyn's dazzlingly elegant castle-hotel, one of the glories of the Beaujolais, is even more dazzling after an 18-month renovation. The main château's guest rooms evoke the 18th century, with many covered in historic frescoes done by a Baroque school of artists inspired by the \"Grand Fabrique\" (Lyon's famed silk-brocade makers). Lodgings in La Résidence—the converted stables and carriage houses—are rustic-contemporary, with giant exposed wood beams and enormous bathrooms. More spectacle awaits in the massive Salle des Gardes, which now holds the esteemed gourmet restaurant, agleam with silver candelabras, giant bouquets, and a wall-wide fireplace. Head to the beautiful stone cuvage (wine-pressing room) for the occasional wine tasting.

It's worth the drive 8 km (5 miles) south of Grenoble to this ivy-covered mansion-hotel, where elegant, spacious guest rooms overlook the meadows and forests that lie beyond the lush garden and pool. It's also home to a celebrated restaurant, where your rewards include a wonderfully wicked and wholly delicious lobster smothered in black truffles, or—once the watchful eye of the delightful Danièle Chavant sizes you up—perhaps the unforgettable civet de biche en robe d'automne (venison with apples, potatoes, and turnips in a daube sauce). The dining room is closed Monday, and there is no lunch on Saturday, no dinner on Sunday.

Set in the former rectory of an 18th-century abbey, this intimate boutique hotel capitalized on the gothic-style building's elegant lines for a decor that's both stylish and refined. One of the city's newer hotels, it benefits from a lovely spot on a quiet leafy square adjacent to the abbey, and is an easy two-minute walk from the Place Bellecour and the river and 10 minutes on foot from Lyon-Perrache train and metro station. The very good in-hotel restaurant L'Artichaut is a pleasant place for lunch or dinner, especially on nice days when you can dine outside under the plane trees. You can also order a coffee, tea, a drink, or dessert all day at the hotel's charming Café Basilic bar.

A spectacular 17th-century building provides the elegant bones for this stunning hotel conveniently located in the heart of Tournon. Breathtaking views of rolling hills and vineyards await you from each of the hotel's 16 rooms, which are beautifully furnished in luxe contemporary style with antique touches (parquet floors, original moldings, tasteful artwork, and some with handsome fireplaces) and modern amenities (spacious marble baths and large windows). A lovely in-house bar, with a sprawling outdoor terrace, offers a nice selection of local wines and nibbles, and the breakfast room, flooded with light reflecting off crisp white linens, is simply enchanting (as are the breakfasts). In warm weather, breakfast is served in the extensive, flower-strewn garden, with lovely views over the village. 

Besides the thrill of hurtling down the world-renowned Val Thorens slopes, there's really no reason to leave this idyllic, family-friendly hotel, where everything you need or desire is at your fingertips. Spacious rooms, with ample baths, sport a sleek contemporary decor and cozy touches, like woolen throws and colorful rugs, and some come with lovely furnished terraces. The hotel is set right on the slopes so getting in and out is superconvenient. There's a cozy bar and fireplace, a full-service spa with a pool (and view) and gym, and two restaurants: the acclaimed Michelin-starred Les Explorateurs and the sophisticated Le Base Camp.

In the center of town, this Belle Époque hotel has catered to an A-list clientele since it opened its doors in 1878. Riffing on the Swiss-chalet theme, the warm, cozy rooms feel contemporary without being impersonal. It's hard to beat taking a dip in a heated indoor-outdoor pool framed by majestic mountains, but the addition of elegant gourmet restaurant Le Matafan—with acclaimed chef Mickey Bourdillat at the helm—and a gorgeous spa clinch the deal.

Celebrated as a culinary landmark for decades, Hotel Pic is also an excellent hotel, with vaulted white salons, deep plush-velvet sofas, 18th-century billiard tables, lovely gardens, and an inviting swimming pool. Some may say the bespoke luxe-contemporary interior design has obliterated all traces of its time-honored past, but few will mind, considering how splendid and tailored for your comfort the aesthetics are. After dinner at the famed Pic restaurant, retire to one of the rooms downstairs, adorned with rosewood paneling, white leather headboards, velvet furnishings, and opulent marble baths. Most rooms have terraces overlooking the garden with views into the kitchen for a glimpse of the master at work.

Perched on a dreamy setting in the heights of Annecy, overlooking the city, the azure lake, and the mountains beyond, this Relais & Château property's magical atmosphere extends from the chic design hotel—set in an 1866 schoolhouse—to the three-Michelin-starred restaurant on-site. Along with the views, guests enjoy spacious, light-filled rooms that harmonize with the setting and convey a rustic luxury in the contrast between raw wood beams, marble, wicker, leather, terraces, and natural organic bedding (suites Melisse and Signature have gas fireplaces and there's a duplex for families of up to five). The small outdoor pool is set among a gorgeous terraced kitchen garden whose herbs and flowers will appear later on your dinner plate.

Despite its undeniable sophistication, Le Strato manages to convey a delicious coziness that extends from the contemporary dining room to the beautifully appointed guest rooms and pristine-white marble baths. This melange of several chalet-style buildings includes some truly splendid private apartments as well as suites with balconies overlooking the snow-covered pines, slopes, and mountains in the distance, thanks to a privileged spot at the top of the Courchevel 1850's glamorous Rue de Bellcote. The Sothy's spa offers a range of customized treatments, as well as a pool with jaw-dropping views. The chic ski boutique features everything you need to ski in style, as well as private access to the slopes. Under the guidance of Michelin star chef Thomas Prod’homme, the restaurant is just one more reason to make this your opulent Courchevel home.

Relaxation, family, nature, and the good life abound at this rustic-luxe lodging with breathtaking mountain views set back on a lovely garden property a 10-minute walk from Megève village. Owned and run by the same family who built this cluster of charming wooden chalets in the 1970s, guests are given a warm welcome in an enchanting and luxurious atmosphere, with wood fires burning in winter and flower gardens blooming in summer. Delightful in all seasons, it’s the perfect refuge for nature walks and outdoor yoga, healthy picnics, and gastronomic dining. It's all topped off by a giant heated indoor pool and spa featuring the all-natural skincare line Pure Altitude; there are also indoor and outdoor saunas and Jacuzzis, Japanese baths, a state-of-the-art fitness room, and a hair salon. The soaring dining room, open for every meal, is a favorite in Megève, and there’s also a cozy bistro serving traditional Savoyard dishes.

This pilgrimage-worthy inn located in Uriage-les-Bains, 16 km (10 miles) from Grenoble in a verdant mountain-ringed park, offers guests a tranquil, ultrasophisticated gastronomic getaway. The 19th-century half-timbered house was transformed into a masterpiece of contemporary, eco-friendly design, with soaring ceilings in the common spaces and five beautifully decorated guestrooms—complete with vintage design furniture and cloudlike organic bedding—with views over the impossibly green park from your private terrace. But chef Aribert's two-Michelin-star cuisine is the star of the show, and guests have the luxury of dining on sublime dishes that reflect all the richness of the surrounding nature before rolling into bed.

A mix of old-world Lyon elegance and edgy urban decor, this well-located hotel, housed in a stately 18th-century mansion, has the double advantage of putting you at the center of the action in comfort and style. The upscale Okko chain is known for its functional, fully automated lifestyle, but that doesn't translate to coldness; common areas are beautifully decorated with plenty of little perks, including cozy nooks for relaxing with free iMacs (and printers), art books, tons of free snacks and drinks (including wine) available 24/7, and a fitness area. High ceilings and windows, smart layouts, and comfy beds make up for the small-scale rooms. The above-average in-hotel lunch and dinner service is great in a pinch, but no substitute for Lyon's unparalleled dining scene.

Perched high above the Vieille Ville (old city) atop the Fourvière Hill, this pristine hotel was once a 17th-century convent; glowing in its ocher-yellow exterior, it has vaulted ceilings, lovely terraces, and marvelous views, seen to best advantage from the Terrasses de Lyon restaurant. With a newly expanded glassed-in winter garden (every table now has a view over Lyon) and tomato-red salons, this excellent eatery offers an exciting nouvelle cuisine menu. Throughout, in time-warp fashion, 17th-century Italianate architectural details are contrasted with the latest in bright postmodern Italian furnishings. The clientele tends to be travelers seeking peace and quiet. Breakfast is extra.

With this chic boutique hotel, Lyon can finally boast the kind of bespoke contemporary luxury the city has long lacked, including all the standout touches: a beautiful day-lit swimming pool and newly expanded spa, a private garden, elegant marble baths, and flawless service. But the icing on this cake are the jaw-dropping views of Lyon from your spacious outdoor terrace (or bath). If you don't opt for a Lyon-view room, garden-facing rooms are lovely too. Set high on the Fourvière Hill, the hotel is an easy walk from the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière (reachable via the funiculaire from the Saint-Just metro stop in the Vieux Lyon), just minutes from the Théâtre antique de Lyon, and about a ten-minute walk to Vieux Lyon (Old City).

You can wave to skiers on the lifts that whiz past your sharply angled window at the Altapura, a ski-in, ski-out property on the edge of Val Thorens. Even the standard rooms feel like suites, with sleekly furnished sitting areas and bathrooms with separate steam showers and deep soaking tubs. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and free movies in all languages. A spiral stone staircase takes you downstairs to three restaurants, including the intimate La Laiterie, which specializes in fondue (if you're with a group, try all five). Downstairs is a soothing spa, designed to look like a birch forest.

For the feel of an authentic family-run mountain lodge—complete with wood paneling, flower-festooned balconies with delicious mountain views, and a resident golden retriever—this a great choice. As a bonus, it's all within walking distance of the city center. Although on a smaller scale than Chamonix's luxury hotels, this place's cozy lobby, charming rooms, and friendly staff make it a find.

One of Lyon's historic hotels, this grand dame, elegantly sheathed in shades of pearly white with miles of gold and silver and pretty pale green and mauve accents, channels an Italian opulence. The creamy white-carpeted guestrooms tend to be more spacious than the usual Lyon hotel room. Facing the Rhône River near the Bellecour district, guests benefit from river views and a central location close to shopping, sights, dining, and transport. The spa boasts a pool (which can be privatized), sauna, steam room, and a full list of spa treatments. There's also a lovely Italian restaurant and bar.

Six fully equipped luxury houses provide serenity and privacy in the middle of some of Chapoutier's most prestigious vineyards. All come with full self-catering kitchens (and a fully stocked wine rack), a pool, gardens, terraces, and views for miles. Up a winding dirt road, Les Granits, the loveliest of them all, is an old wine-grower's farmhouse that sleeps eight in a totally secluded setting with a pool.

This contemporary hotel is set a few minutes from the train station, across from the Chapoutier boutique and tasting rooms and within easy walking distance of Cité du Chocolat Valrhona. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites, a spa and swimming pool, and Marius Bistro on the premises. In the heart of Tain, it's within walking distance of everything. 

One of the village’s more contemporary chalet hotels, the Four Seasons comes with modern interiors that inspire luxurious cocooning with every deluxe touch. In winter, you’re welcomed by a roaring fire and comfortable nooks for après ski among a beautiful art and rare-glass collection. Well-appointed rooms are bright and modern, with state-of-the-art fixtures, plenty of daylight, and spacious baths. With only 12 rooms, there’s an exclusive feel here, and while each one is beautiful, the higher priced suites are the standouts. The hotel spa is also exceptional with a heated pool, fitness room, and customized treatments. The yoga dome on the lovely grounds is great for a getaway focused on wellness. For a more traditional alpine stay, the Four Seasons sister lodging, Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois, sports antiques, cozy interiors, wooded grounds, and access to the main hotel spa. Set at the edge of town, a shuttle service is provided for anywhere you need to go.

There's not much lacking in this handsome, centrally located hotel. Though modern in every way, the service remains of the old-fashioned type—friendly, efficient, discreet. Rooms are quiet, comfortable, and pleasantly unfussy, with spacious modern bathrooms. The hotel's location, two minutes from the covered market on the Place Grenette, the Musée de Grenoble, and the city's best restaurants, is a big plus. For the price, this hotel can't be beat.

At one of Chamonix's most desirable hotels, most of the beautifully furnished guest rooms have private balconies, with many (such as Suite Martine) offering unsurpassed views of Mont Blanc. Choose between rooms in the original building or the Alpine lodge-style accommodations—with touches of contemporary rustic elegance—in the complex known as Le Hameau. A dip in the indoor-outdoor pool in the snow is a must, as is an après-ski massage in the superb hotel spa. In the dining room, Damien Leveau's cuisine is as memorable as the marvelous mountain vista. Expect perfectly prepared and presented classical fare based on exquisite ingredients—from white truffles in season to impeccable game or seafood delicacies. The cozy Quartz bar features live music most nights and a delightful afternoon tea.

This family-owned-and-run hotel at the heights of Courchevel has upheld a vision of hospitality, elegance, and a love of winter sports since opening in the 1970s. It certainly has its place among Courchevel’s elite hotels, but it's set apart by its lack of pretension, family atmosphere, ravishing decor, and location at the top the village. Light-flooded room with balconies and giant bay windows offer every comfort and unobstructed mountain views. Professionals are on hand to equip you for the slopes outside the door, and après ski is enjoyed by a roaring fire, at the chic cozy bar, or in the gaming room. Go seamlessly from skiing to the shimmering Codage spa, with indoor and outdoor pools, a panoramic sauna, fitness room (with physiotherapy if desired), and Jacuzzi. All of this is rounded out by three dining choices: intimate Michelin-starred Alpurna, a French gastronomic restaurant, and a casual eatery serving Alpine favorites.

As one of a handful of upscale hotels in the city, the centrally located Carlton overlooks the Place de la République, adding a much-needed frisson of international style to Lyon's lodging scene. Set in a 19th-century grande dame of a building, with plenty of marble and wrought iron, the red-theme rooms mix a sort of Art Deco style with contemporary touches. Rooms have all the modern amenities, including reliable Wi-Fi, and bathrooms are ample and thoroughly modern. Common areas are cozy and sophisticated, and there's a good in-hotel restaurant as well as a Champagne bar and full-service spa. For lovely city views, ask for a corner Rotunda room on the top floor.