Does anyone have a recommendation for a good hotel in Lyon? It will be for one might, our last in Europe, we will be going to the airport the next morning. We want something close to sights and restaurants, nice and clean with an Old World atmosphere, for around 100 euros a night or less. We found the Hotel Bayard on this site. Does anyone know about it, or have other recommendations?

You can check this site for nice 3 star hotels with nice atmosphere:
www.mercure.com
There are 11 hotels of this group at Lyon

We like hotels with character. On second look, we aren't sure we like the Hotel Bayard. Has anyone tried the Hotel des Artistes?

Many Mercure Hotels Lyon have character!!!
e.g
1.Mercure Grand Hotel Lyon Centre Chateau Perrache
2.Mercure Lyon Plaza Republique
3.Mercure Grand Hotel Lyon Saxe Lafayette(a new hotel with old-style rooms)
4.Libertel Beaux Arts Lyon Tradition
5.Libertel Carlton Grande Tradition
6. Libertel Wilson
You can see the hotels from outside at:
HTTP://photosvilles.wanadoo.fr/

We liked our stay in the Grand Hotel Mecure, not too far to walk to the old section of the city & restaurants.

Old charm, class and beautiful rooms ( but you have to ask for a Superior room) one of the classics of Lyon, but not that expensive, Hotel ROyal, great location too.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the Mercure hotels. I've stayed at the Mercure Hotel Plaza République and although it was well located, it was rather characterless and I don't think it was worth what we paid. The Mercure Chateau Perrache is in a dreadful location behind the train station.
The Mercure Saxe Lafayette and Libertel Wilson are not ideally located either, in my opinion.

The Libertel Beaux-Arts is in a good location on rue Edourd Herriot but it's pricier than the budget you've specified. The Libertel Carlton is well located too, near place de la République, but again, it may be over your budget.

I haven't stayed at the Hotel des Artistes but it seems to get good reviews from people on this board. I know where it is though, in a nice location on a small square, not far from the Saone river (short walk to the Old Town), and the main restaurant and shopping areas, and within easy walking distance of the metro.

Another popular hotel is Hotel la Résidence on rue Victor Hugo, a pedestrian shopping precinct located between Perrache station and Place Bellecour. It's excellent value, clean and comfortable, though I'm not sure whether it has "Old World atmosphere"!

You could also try the Grand Hotel des Terreaux, which is near the Place des Terreaux. I've had a look in the lobby there and it looks rather grand. They have a pool too, I believe.

Here are the websites:
Hotel des Artistes - http://www.hoteldesartistes.fr/us/cadre.htm
Hotel la Résidence: http://www.hotel-la-residence.com/
Grand Hotel des Terreaux: http://www.grand-hotel-terreaux-lyon...page_en_1.html

I walked by and stopped at Hotel la Résidence this last May while visiting Lyon. I had read good reviews in this forum and wanted to check it out. The location is superb, the service counter staff were very courteous. I would not called it "charming", although it certainly looked like a nice hotel. They did not have handicap rooms, which my husband needs. I am with Graziella on Hotel Royal; it fits better your requirements.

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions. I had booked at the Hotel Bayard some time ago, and then went back and looked at the website...the reception looked downright dumpy, and one of the reviews said the place is infiltrated with cigar smoke! Yuck. Not my idea of a romantic farewell night to France.

The Hotel des Artistes or La Residence look like better bets...the Hotel Royal looks great, but too expensive. Unfortunately, I have an email from Hotel Bayard saying they will charge for the room anyway, even if I cancel a month ahead. Isn't this absurd?!

We love the accomodations in Burgundy...the wonderful old houses and reasonable rent and I get the impression that it is much harder to find hotels in the southern cities that have the same kind of charm for a reasonable price.

Thumbs up for the Hotel des Artistes; great location, good value for the $$!