When it comes to hotels in Lyon you’re spoilt for choice. Among the vineyards of the Northern Rhône however, there aren’t so many – it’s only recently started attracting international travellers in significant numbers. There are some luxurious options topping and tailing the region in Vienne and Valence, and several dependable places around Ampuis and Tain l’Hermitage.
There is an abundance of choice throughout the south, with countless hotels dotted all over the region – whether you’re looking for clean lines and modern facilities, or you prefer to bathe in the faded grandeur that Provence does so well. Most of the larger hotels are in and around Avignon but there’s no need base yourself in a city; if you’d prefer to stay in a village – or even in the middle of nowhere – you’ll find somewhere that caters for you. Take a look at the full list of the best hotels in the Rhône Valley below.
The best hotels in the Rhône Valley
Northern Rhône
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Villa Florentine
Lyon
An antidote to large, anonymous international hotels, the five-star Villa Florentine is an unusual and memorable place to stay that’s situated high on the Fourvière hill. The main building dates to the 17th century, and the reception is in a former chapel with original frescos dating to 1736. After 8 years of renovation, it opened as a hotel in 1993; ten years later, it added a second building (which is even older), connected to the first by an interior passageway. Today there are 29 rooms and 5 apartments. It feels like a little oasis of calm overlooking the city, but it’s close enough to access on foot (or by taxi for those with limited mobility). The sizeable swimming pool, surrounding terrace and their Michelin-starred restaurant Les Terrasses de Lyon (with its excellent wine list) all have breathtaking views over the cathedral, river and beyond. Comfortable rooms have Italian Renaissance art touches to the décor, and the service is personal and genuine.
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Villa Maïa
Lyon
Considering that Villa Maïa only opened its doors in 2017, it feels remarkably comfortable in its own skin. It’s partly thanks to its art deco inspired décor, created by celebrated interior designer Jacques Grange, which gives this elegant address a contemporary but timeless feel. It’s located in a quiet neighbourhood on the Fourvière hill, with views across the city which offers the best of both worlds – you are far from the crowds, but can reach Place Bellecour in less than 20 minutes on foot; to get back up, you can take the funicular railway. There are 34 rooms and suites in total, giving the place an intimate feel, with large indoor baths, a spa, and a small, wild, grassy garden. The compact bar offers non-stop service all day, and is open to all – not just hotel guests. There is no on-site restaurant, but next door you’ll find Christian Têtedoie’s Michelin-starred restaurant and bistro. It’s a hotel with an undeniable cool factor.
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Hôtel Le Globe & Cecil
Lyon
If you’re looking for a hotel right in the heart of the Presqu’île, take a look at Le Globe et Cecil just off Place Bellecour. The building dates to 1866, and it has always been a hotel; first called Le Globe, then when it was bought by Englishman Lord Cecil, he added his name. It’s now owned by Loïc Renart, whose 3-hotel chain (along with Le Simplon and Le Phénix) is called Les Aubergistes Lyonnais. In keeping with its central location, Le Globe et Cecil’s rooms aren’t exactly capacious, but they’re bright, modern and comfortable. The reception area was renovated in 2018 and it still feels fresh and cheerful; they added a restaurant area at the same time. The team is youthful and enthusiastic, which adds to its appeal.
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InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu
Lyon
The Grand Hôtel Dieu, on the right bank on the Rhône, is a building with 900 years of history. It has spent most of its life as a hospital, but that chapter came to an end in 2010. Its rooms, halls and cloisters are now inhabited by a high-end retail centre and the InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu. The 144-room hotel opened its doors in 2019, and still feels box fresh. It’s suitable for both business travellers and couples on holiday; it’s a professional, smart, luxurious establishment that speaks the international language of fine hotels. Thanks to its long façade, half the elegant, high-ceilinged rooms have views over the Rhône. There are two dining options: their restaurant Epona and bar Le Dôme. The wine list they share isn’t exactly cheap but there are plenty of good wines to choose from surrounding wine regions and even from outside France. Le Dôme deserves a special mention – it’s a jaw-dropping space that used to be a chapel for patients. Today they offer a short food menu, wines by the glass and even wine and mixology workshops.
La Pyramide
Vienne
Lovers of fine dining might recognise the name La Pyramide; it’s a 200-year-old restaurant in Vienne that holds two Michelin stars. Their site in suburban Vienne is also home to 19 rooms and 4 suites, which offer a smart place to overnight. Rooms are spacious, all have a bath and shower, and the interiors are refined and grown up – think monochrome art, houndstooth carpets, wood panelling. Ask for a room that overlooks the Japanese garden rather than the offices or apartments over the road. The suites are newer, brighter and designed to a high standard with made-to-measure furniture (and, like the rooms, surprisingly affordable considering the renown of the restaurant). It’s the perfect place for business travellers, couples, or groups of friends that want to enjoy the restaurant’s extraordinary wine list (and Chartreuse list) unimpeded. For guests that want to explore local wineries, the concierge can design a personalised itinerary.
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Domaine de Clairefontaine
Chonas-l’Amballan
One of the best hotel options in the Rhône Valley near to Ampuis is Domaine de Clairefontaine, a 17th century manor house in 3ha of grounds just across the river in the tiny village of Chonas-l’Amballan. You can either stay in the grand old house itself, or in the residence just across the large lawn, which has larger rooms but in a more modern building. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy the tranquil setting and watch the swans glide over the pond, glass of Condrieu in hand. The older building also houses a Michelin-starred restaurant where Philippe Girardon, awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 1997, produces elegant dishes from local products – their vegetables are grown less than 1km away. Sommelier Dominique Viala has been looking after the wine collection since 1992, and it’s a strong list with plenty of choice. They also own Le Cottage, a more modern building 10 minutes’ walk away, which offers affordable contemporary rooms and is home to a good bistro. The wine list is more concise here, but well thought out. Whichever you stay at, the views of Côte-Rôtie as you drive back towards Ampuis each morning are breathtaking.
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Château de Fontager
Serves-sur-Rhône
Serves-sur-Rhône is 15 minutes north of Tain l’Hermitage. Château de Fontager is just off the N7 that connects them, but there’s more birdsong than traffic noise here in their 22ha of land, much of which is filled with vast mature trees. The imposing grey building certainly has a wow-factor – it’s substantially proportioned, and stylistically unusual for the region. This was originally the site of Roman fortress, and parts of its foundations remain; this is a building with 2,000 years of history. It’s latest chapter begins when the 32-room hotel reopened in 2022 after considerable investment and redecoration. It has kept the immense 35m outdoor swimming pool, opened a gym and sports annex in the woods, and now has two restaurants. Le Chant de la Source serves high-end ‘Franco-Danish’ cuisine and has a curious wine list that combines Northern Rhône estates with some sought-after Natural wines from further afield. Le Bistro du Château offers less complex fare. Some of the beds in the cheaper rooms are on the small side, and décor is not always the most modern; but it offers a characterful base from which to explore the Northern Rhône for a couple of days.
Fac et Spera
Tain l’Hermitage
‘Fac et spera’ means ‘do and hope’ – it’s the motto of the Chapoutier family, who own this hotel. It’s on the same road as their boutique in fact, and not far from the hill of Hermitage itself, which you can spy from the pool. It’s bigger and has more facilities than most accommodation options in the Northern Rhône: secure car park, small spa, separate bar and restaurant (which are closed some days, so it’s worth checking in advance if you’re intending to make use of them). No prizes for guessing their wine list features lots of Chapoutier wines! But that’s no bad thing; and they are open-minded enough to stock wines from other producers and regions too. For those that like to pair Hermitage with steak, they also have a dry-ageing cabinet stocked with various cuts and origins of beef. With Tournon just a walk away, Fac et Spera offers a convenient base from which to explore this part of the Northern Rhône.
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Hôtel 2 Coteaux
Tain l’Hermitage
Based on the waterfront in Tain, Les 2 Coteaux is well situated just next to the footbridge that crosses the Rhône between Tain and Tournon. The name (‘the 2 hillsides’) refers to the views – one side of the hotel looks over the Rhône to Tournon and the slopes of Saint-Joseph; from the other side you can gaze at the hill of Hermitage. The rooms themselves are spotlessly clean and simply decorated; they don’t offer the facilities of some other local options (no kettle or safe in the rooms, for example, and no swimming pool), but the prices reflect this. If you want to make use of their closed car park a short walk away, book a place in advance as it’s quite small.
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Hôtel de la Villeon
Tournon
Tucked away in the sleepy back streets of Tournon, Hôtel de la Villeon is undoubtedly one of the finest places to stay in the Northern Rhône. Damien and Delphine Segond converted this characterful 18th century mansion house into a 16-room hotel and opened the doors in 2015. Rooms and suites vary in size and are tastefully decorated to a very high standard. Behind the house itself is a shady, terraced network of gardens where you can drink a cool glass of white Saint-Joseph before walking to whichever local restaurant takes your fancy. There’s also a new swimming pool and gym with panoramic views across the river to the hill of Hermitage. Their small but stylish bar is open to all.
Hôtel Pic
Valence
Anne-Sophie Pic is one of France’s most fêted chefs. Her three-star restaurant in Valence is famous throughout France and beyond, but what is less well-known is her hotel, which is located at the same address: 16 rooms and suites that opened in 1997. Fashioning hotel rooms that are in keeping with the exquisite dining room downstairs is a challenge to which they have successfully risen; the accommodation here does not disappoint. The luminous rooms come in shades of white and silver, with silk, leather and rosewood adding the fine detail. Guests can make use of the restaurant bar, lounge, and exotic garden and they have exclusive use of the swimming pool. Though it’s not a prerequisite to eat in the restaurant downstairs, most guests can’t resist. Combining the two would make for an unforgettable pitstop as you pass between the Northern Rhône and the south.
Southern Rhône
Villa Sainte-Anne
Gigondas
A new and welcome addition to the Gigondas environs, Villa Sainte-Anne is a contemporary guest house with five rooms that offers elegant, spacious bedrooms and chic shared spaces, both inside and out. It doesn’t offer a full service like a hotel, which is ideal if you prefer to be semi-autonomous – the reception is manned in the morning and afternoon, but apart from that, you can get on with things yourself and make use of the kitchen and dining area. There’s a carpark available, but the village itself is just a 10-minute walk, with all its eating and drinking options. The villa is owned by the Amadieu family in fact, who have been making wine in the village since 1929, so you’re in good hands if you need any advice. Don’t miss the breakfast.
Hôtel Les Florets
Gigondas
Follow the winding road from Gigondas up into the Dentelles de Montmirail and you’ll come to the Hôtel les Florets. The hotel, restaurant and terrace are fairly large considering its discreet location, but the fact that it’s family-owned (it has been since 1960) makes it feel homely; service is warm and friendly. Rooms are simply decorated, clean, comfortable, and well-priced. The restaurant is spacious, the dining room itself surprisingly jazzy, and the food is somewhere between generous and precise – they really feed you, but the cooking is spot-on. The wine list is brilliant: long, detailed, featuring both big names and under-the-radar gems. Prices are sharp too – you can drink very well here without breaking the bank.
Hôtel Crillon le Brave
Crillon le Brave
The Hôtel Crillon le Brave is one of the wonders of Provence. It’s not a single building; but occupies a whole segment of the village, knitting together nine 17th and 18th century houses to create a single entity, comprising 34 rooms and suites. It’s located between Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail, which gives the place a sense of tranquillity and privacy – and the views from the terrace are breathtaking. You can eat very well at their restaurant, La Table du Ventoux, and the spa area reflects the same level of Provencal luxury you’ll find throughout. If you’re looking for indulgence among the vineyards, this is where to go.
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La Mère Germaine
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Germaine Vion was a chef in the French president’s office until 1922, when she bought the Hotel Bellevue in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Its reputation grew, and eventually it took the name its patronne. By the 2000s, however, it was a shadow of its former self. In 2019, it was purchased by Isabelle and Arnaud Strasser, who completely renovated the building and redecorated its rooms. They have done an outstanding job, and today La Mère Germaine can once again be considered among the best hotels in the Rhône Valley. Since buying and renovating an additional neighbouring guesthouse, they now have 12 rooms which are equipped to a high standard, and you’ll have access to securing parking, a neat spa, not to mention their Michelin-starred restaurant. If you’re travelling with family or friends and are looking for something larger or more private, in 2024 they opened two private houses in the village that you can hire in their entirety, one sleeping 8 with pool and garden, another sleeping 6.
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Château de Mazan
Mazan
In the village of Mazan near the foot of Mont Ventoux is the Château de Mazan, a grand 18th century mansion house and garden that’s been converted into 31 rooms. It’s a luminous and airy building with a theatrical touch to the décor that matches the high ceilings and sweeping staircases. They also have a restaurant, Le Cour du Château, which serves traditional, bistro-style cuisine; the wine list is limited, but there are some very good bottles of Ventoux to choose from and a smattering from the rest of the Rhône and Provence. A swimming pool and pétanque court complete the picture.
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Le Colombier
Venasque
Perched on a cliff, Venasque is one of the oldest and most beautiful villages in the Southern Rhône, and one with a rich history – it was briefly the capital of the Comtat Venaissin, a sizeable chunk of the Vaucluse that was owned by the Pope from 1274 to 1791. Le Colombier was recently taken over by a young couple with plenty of hotel experience, and it offers a convenient spot from which to explore Ventoux. Rooms are perfectly adequate – fairly small and simply decorated – but the package as a whole is pleasant, and the prices are affordable. With an ample swimming pool, pétanque pitch and hotel bar it’s ideal for young families, and just a short walk into the centre of the village.
La Mirande
Avignon
Located on a quiet backstreet just behind the Palais des Papes in Avignon is the 5-star La Mirande. The building is a feast for the senses; it brims with fine fabrics and objets d’art and the walls echo with 700 years of good living. It now has 26 bedrooms, all decorated with exquisite French fabrics. There are multiple dining and drinking options here, and their Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant serves some of the most refined dishes in Avignon. You can enjoy your breakfast in their beautiful garden – a rare treat within the city walls. If you’re looking for luxury in the Rhône, La Mirande is one of the best hotels to spend the night.
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Hôtel d’Europe
Avignon
After a day visiting vineyards under the summer sun, the cool courtyard of the Hôtel d’Europe feels like a sanctuary: jasmine scented, under the shade of an immense plane tree. This venerable 44-room 16th century hotel feels like it has seen it all, and offers comfortable, old-fashioned luxury. It’s located in one of Avignon’s smaller squares that’s lined with bars and restaurants. It can be lively in the evenings; if you’re a light sleeper, request a room towards the back of the building. Its restaurant La Vieille Fontaine isn’t exactly at the forefront of contemporary décor or cuisine, but you can find some real gems on the wine list.
Hotel de Cambis
Avignon
A relatively affordable option within Avignon’s city walls is Hotel de Cambis, directly off the central Rue de la République. The whole building has a pleasing way with colour; different rooms work with different palettes, often variations on pastel tones, the overall effect being clean, calm and harmonious. It has 41 rooms in a variety of sizes, most of which face the main road. There is no gym or swimming pool, but it does have a simple coworking space and the reception doubles as a bar. It’s a convenient, reasonably-priced urban base from which to explore Avignon and beyond.
Les Chambres de l’Oustalet
Gigondas
The Perrins are associated with Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but their interests stretch far and wide. One of their many wineries is situated in Gigondas, and they’ve opened several other businesses in the village. Three are based around food and wine: the Michelin-starred restaurant L’Oustalet; the Bistrot de l’Oustalet; and the wine bar Nez. The fourth is a small guesthouse, called Les Chambres de l’Oustalet, and like all their projects, it’s executed with care and craftsmanship. They have five rooms of different sizes right in the heart of the village, all with a modern yet comfortable feel. There is no pool, permanent reception or shared space but if you just need a room to base yourself, then these will not disappoint.
