I had no problem with my room apart from there not being a kettle to make a cup of tea. I had to clean brown marks off the bath tub before using it and the shower head is hand held only. But you can have a bath.
The bed is clean and comfortable and there is plenty of room to open a suitcase and spread out. I had a window overlooking the street and there can be a bit of noise but in comparison to most places, I find there is enough peace and quiet.
The area is great - you have the Bellacour shopping district that is very central and there are supermarkets and trains not too far away. Also nearby is Starbucks and the hire bikes. A bar two doors down called Goudyvins has a friendly owner who speaks English and does good coffee, wine and cheese.
The owners here are very nice but don't speak English. You can get by if you don't have an issue or complex needs. They dote on two old Maltese terriers who are less than friendly and bark. Plus there's a dog smell in reception but I find this gives the place character.
I think breakfast should be optional. Nobody should eat chocolate croissants and white bread rolls with stale cornflakes every day. But a French treat if your stay is short.
The worst thing here is that although wifi is free, you have to keep asking them to turn "wiffy" on each time you return - this is for smart phones, I can't speak for laptops.... Also, if you go out at night and come home late, the door to the hotel is locked and you have to ring a buzzer to wake the man up to get in!!! Sometimes he doesn't wake up if its very late you'll need to call the hotel number which rings louder than the buzzer.
I don't think hotels should have curfews for guests. Not that this one seems to but I do fear going out late for not being able to get in.
Overall it's fine, friendly - apart from the dogs - and you feel safe here. And it's very peaceful on Sundays. Make sure you have the hotel phone number on you if you go out late and have some sort of translation resource on you. It's a good authentic old school French experience, very much what I'd consider it to be like in a remote village.
- Bellecordiere Hotel Lyon
