Could someone please recommend a hotel in Lyon that is located in a safe area close to the highlights of this city? Merci

Hi gaelle,
A good place to start is right here on Fodor's website. Click on the tab above, where it says hotels, look for the France listings, and there underneath you will find Lyon.

Here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/33dchc

When we were in Lyon recently we stayed at the Hotel Bayard Bellecour and liked it very much.
We had a gorgeous room with high ceilings, beautiful mouldings, and antiques- overlooking the Place Bellecour. The staff were very nice and helpful.
Of course I have no idea what your price range is, so I don't know if it is what you're looking for or not.

Hotel Bayard Bellecour
23, Place Bellecour
Lyon, France
Tel: 011-04-78-37-39-64
www.hotelbayard.fr

Hotel la Résidence is probably the hotel that is most often recommended on these boards. It's a well located 3-star on a pedestrian shopping street just south of Place Bellecour, within easy walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants, metro, sights, train station, etc. Have stayed there myself and think it is great value, though some rooms are more up-to-date than others.
www.hotel-la-residence.com/

We're going to be there in the summer so i want air conditioning. it's been very hot in europe the last few summers. I like the location for hotel residence and it's quite reasonable. I can either stay 3 or 4 nights. Are there any day trips i could take from there or is there so much to see that i'll need to spend all my time there?

Hi,
There is quite a bit of information on side-trips from Lyon in this recent thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34937905

Another vote for Hotel la Résidence - right on the main pedestrian way. There is free use of the internet computer in the lobby if you are so inclined.
For an overview of the city, consider one of the bicycle-rickshaw tours. Insist on a peddlar who speaks your language.

And another for La Residence..great location for walking to many sites, too.