InterContinental Wows with Opening of Historic Hotel in Lyon

The renovated hospital-turned-hotel is the largest private transformation of a historic monument carried out in France to date

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu is now open after an extensive four-year restoration of the former hospital Hôtel Dieu, one of the city’s most iconic and historic buildings. This marks the brand’s sixth hotel in France, with the new property featuring the designs of renowned interior designer, Jean-Philippe Nuel. Nuel focused on maintaining the original beauty and architecture of the building while creating a sense of contemporary, understated luxury, which is rooted in the history of Lyon and the building itself.

Lyon was once the capital of the European silk industry and the product is still an important part of the city’s culture today. The city is also famed for its floral art which was an early source of inspiration for the local silk industry and a major influence for the hotel’s design theme. Prestigious Lyonnais silk creator Verel de Belval, a subsidiary of the Hermès group, has designed custom silk prints which can be seen throughout the rooms and public areas in silk screen panels, cushions and soft furnishings.

Le Dôme Bar is nestled in the heart of the hotel within the grand dome, one of the most breathtaking features of the renovated hotel. Originally housing a chapel, the dome today is a space where hotel guests and locals can come together under its 32-metre high ceiling. Originally designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot, architect of the Pantheon in Paris, Soufflot was called away during the project and never saw the dome finished. The dome has since been named in his honour as the Soufflot Dome.

The bar is open for all-day drinks and light bites. Traditional, local products are a key focus of the signature cocktails, which include a fresh twist on the famous pink praline — a traditional Lyon confectionery that is uniquely made at the bar with vodka, pink champagne and lemon. Club InterContinental guests will have the added luxury of enjoying drinks and views of the grand dome from the first-floor balcony of the private Club InterContinental Lounge above.

The hotel’s restaurant, Epona, extends along the hotel’s front façade and opens on to an interior courtyard and garden. Head Chef Mathieu Charrois serves world-class Lyonnaise dishes with a modern twist for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Of the 34 suites at the hotel, the 150-square metre Presidential suite is the largest suite in the city. It follows a similar modern luxury design, decorated in powder pink tones and elegant floral motifs, yet offers guests an overhead view of the grand dome from the suite’s own private balconies.

The most emblematic of the 144 rooms at InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel-Dieu are the 28 Duplex Suites, which feature huge vertical windows with views on to the Rhône river. Guests enter from the mezzanine floor to take in the river view at first glance before heading down the stairs to the bathroom and bedroom.

The luxury stay also boasts 1,500 square metres of flexible convention and reception halls at L’Académie. This is one of the largest conference centres in the Presqu’île (Peninsula) quarter and in Lyon city centre, offering 12 meeting rooms on four different levels, all with natural daylight.

For guests looking for relaxation, the Le Tigre Spa is just a one-minute walk from the hotel and includes a Hammam, 24-hour gym, sauna and steam room, as well as Pilates and Yoga classes.

 

www.ihg.com/lyon