Hotel Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache (Lyon, France)

Guests often describe the historic building as "lovely," "charming," or "elegant," noting that many of its original art nouveau features have been carefully preserved, though the guest rooms have been modernised in good taste, with good air conditioning and comfortable beds. The superior rooms with the French doors and balcony are particularly popular.

Guests generally describe the staff as very friendly and helpful, noting they are patient with tourists trying out their French but are also fluent in English. The breakfast buffet, though not inexpensive, is popular for the extensive variety and good quality of dishes on offer.

Travellers often note the hotel is extremely convenient to Gare Perrache if you know which exit to use, and recommend proceeding back through the station for the most direct walk to Vieux Lyon and Place Bellecoeur. The station offers good tram and metro connections to all of the tourist attractions, too.

Guests comment that the standard rooms are more dated and offer significantly less natural light than the superior rooms, so the upgrade may be worthwhile for a longer stay.

Light sleepers in rooms closest to the tracks and main road have been disturbed by traffic noise, and some guests feel uncomfortable walking in the neighbourhood around the station after dark.

Drivers have found the hotel a bit difficult to find from the street due to very discreet signage, and some have been left out in the cold due to a spotty intercom system at the rear entrance. Guests also note the lifts are both small and slow.