In looking through my various books, listings for places to spend the night in Lyon tend to be expensive, and often in the old city. I gather that some of these hotels are chateaux and historic inns, which do sound rather special. Question- are these hotels worth the price and are there less expensive hotels or inns that any of you would recommend?

We had thought that we might stay in the countryside rather than the city itself, but it sounds like it might be better get a city hotel instead. Do you agree? We will be spending a couple of days in Lyon before heading to a language school in nearby Roanne. We will also need a hotel to spend our last night in France before returning to the US.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.

Staying in Lyon would make sightseeing much easier. Have you looked at the Lyon tourist site? There are often hotel specials there.

On our last night in France last September, we stayed in Vieux Lyon and got the TGV the next morning to CDG, then home to US. We decided to splurge, as we often do on our last night abroad, and stayted at La Tour Rose. It was terrific. We ate at aplacve down the street from the hotel, "Notre Maison" - also a great dining experience with a very friendly and helpful staff. It was pretty special, all in all, and worth the extra bucks.

We just returned from Lyon where we got a good rate ($100/double) at the Kyriad Prestige. Walking distance (10 minutes, take Pont Guillotiere) to Place Bellecor, from where nearby you can take the funicular (2 Euro RT for two hour-period) up to the hilltop where the Cathedral and the Gallo-Roman ruins and Museum are located. On that neighborhood also recommend the Libertel- Accor Hotels, nicer than the Kyriad and a bit cheaper ($90/double). While the street is not the most charming part of Lyon, it is certainly a good value, reasonably well located.

That said, if I was to do the lodging arrangements again and if it was only for a coule of nights, I'll probably stayed at the Presquille area.

Don't miss sampling some of the fabulous Lyonnaise cuisine; highly recommend La Machonnerie, on Rue Tramassac. Great food at reasonable prices.

The Hotel La Residence on r Victor Hugo gets good recommendations here. It's on a pedestrian street between Place Carnot and Place Bellecour on the Presqu'Ile. I've not stayed there, but when I walked past in May I peeked in. It looks very nice.

Here's a thread from crepes_a_go_go who just stayed there. The review is at the very end of the thread.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34498410

If you happen to be in Lyon over a weekend check the Bon Ville en Weekend plan. You stay a Friday or Saturday night and get Saturday or Sunday night free. It might let you stay somewhere a little nicer than you were planning.

www.bon-week-end-en-villes.com

I agree with Chatters. In Lyon I'd stay on the Presqu'Ile which is the peninsula between the Saône & Rhône rivers or in Vieux Lyon. Vieux Lyon is a world heritage site and very nice, but as you've noticed the hotels tend to be more expensive. I would not stay outside the city and commute. I generally find that wastes too much time.

I'd take the TGV to Lyon and explore on foot without the hassles of driving and parking. When you're ready to go on to Roanne is when I'd get the rental car, if rent is what you're going to do.

Here's a link to my trip report from May this year. The first 3 days are my wanderings through Lyon:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34498288