Hotel Charlemagne

Recent Reviews: 748

• User:keithmalin

  Trip type: Solo travel

  Disappointing “4*” hotel with some important issues to resolve

  07 Apr 2026

  I expected more of this “4*” hotel, located an easy few minutes’ walk from Lyon’s Perrache station. Despite having pleasant staff and good rooms, there were issues which need addressing.I had to change rooms because my first one was at 28 degrees C, despite the “air conditioning” being on. I had a really dreadful sleep. Management’s response: “too expensive to turn on the air conditioning”. My safe was unusable. Management’s response: ”we have a key to unlock it”. The sliding doors onto the balcony could not be locked shut, making the room insecure and accessible from other balcony rooms on the same floor. Management’s response: “some customers have forced the windows”.I don’t expect any issues like this from a 4*hotel - these problems simply shouldn’t exist. Emilie COSTE, Directeur général at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture, responded to this review Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and we’re sorry it wasn’t a complete success. We listened to your needs and were able to change your room immediately upon your request—which, in fact, was our last available room. Furthermore, I would like to clarify your comments, as I was the person who addressed the various points you raised.Regarding the air conditioning in the room, we cannot switch from heating to air conditioning overnight, despite the current temperature fluctuations, because it takes too long for the AC units to start up on all floors, and from an environmental standpoint, this does not align with our values. We are currently still using the heating system and turn it off during periods of hot weather. The air conditioning will be fully activated once the weather becomes consistently warm. We have purchased portable air conditioners for our guests’ comfort, available upon request. Regarding the safes, the front desk does indeed have a key to unlock them in case of any issues, upon guests’ request. This is mandatory and ensures your security. The bay windows are difficult to close due to their floor-mounted latch system, but you were informed that the front desk is available to come to your room to help you close them.Finally, renovation work is currently underway to address the issues mentioned and to enhance the hotel’s modernity and overall comfort.We are always available and attentive to ensuring you have a pleasant stay and to chatting with our guests. It is always disappointing when this is not enough to make your stay more enjoyable. We nevertheless hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back after the renovations, so that you can fully enjoy a stay that meets your expectations. Sincerely, The Management.

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• User:msaeidpour

  Trip type: Family

  Terrible Accomodation in Lyon

  02 Oct 2025

  Our experience at this hotel was overall disappointing and fell short of 4-star standards.Location: The property is conveniently near tram and metro lines—just a few minutes’ walk—and the area feels safe. However, it sits in an industrial part of the city with no nearby shops or restaurants, making it inconvenient for casual exploration.Cleanliness: The room was not properly cleaned upon arrival. Dishes and glasses were unwashed, one cup still had coffee stains and odor, and overall hygiene standards were poor. Housekeeping during the stay was acceptable, and the common areas such as lobby and hallways were kept clean.Room Quality: This was the weakest aspect. The bed was uncomfortable, the room noisy due to its position beside the street, and the air conditioning did not work—leaving the space overheated. There was no fridge, which was highly impractical for guests with children or medication needs. The layout and design were poorly planned: the toilet was extremely cramped, separate from the washbasin, and inconveniently located several meters away.Service: Check-in was handled by an unfriendly and unhelpful receptionist who refused early check-in by fifteen minutes and failed to provide basic orientation about hotel services. Fortunately, checkout and later interactions with other staff were more professional. Requests like arranging a taxi were promptly managed.Facilities: For a 4-star hotel, the lack of any leisure facilities was surprising. The only strong point was the Wi-Fi, which was stable and fast throughout the stay.Value for Money: The overall experience did not justify the price paid. Based on cleanliness, comfort, and amenities, this hotel would not qualify as a genuine 4-star establishment.In summary, despite a few functional positives (transport links and Wi-Fi), the comfort, service consistency, and facilities were significantly below expectation.Overall Rating: 2/ 5 — Not recommended. Emilie COSTE, Directeur général at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture, responded to this review Dear guest,Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We have carefully read your comment, as customer satisfaction is our priority.Our hotel is located on the Presqu'île, a 15-minute walk from the restaurants and shops in the city center and 5 minutes from the Confluences mall.We apologize for the cups in the room. This is unusual, and the message has been passed on to our housekeeping team to be extra vigilant about this.As for the quality of our rooms and facilities, the hotel will be completely renovated starting in early 2026 to significantly increase the comfort and modernity of our premises.Our receptionist was certainly unable to grant you an early check-in, as this depends on the availability of our rooms. Our team is always available to help and find solutions for our guests.We are sorry that your stay did not meet your expectations and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back after the renovation is complete so that you can enjoy a stay that lives up to your expectations.Kind regards,Management.

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• User:O816OCwilliaml

  Trip type: Friends getaway

  Very pleasant Hotel in a convenient location in Lyon

  16 Aug 2025

  Pro’s- Very comfortable beds.- Balcony overlooking the town was a bonus.- Bathrooms worked well with a pleasant shower and free toiletries provided. - Staff were friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Never had a problem replacing towels etc and housekeeping was very efficient. - Room was spacious (upgraded to a superior) which was ample for 2 sharing.- Near a tram station which made for a good base to explore the city.- Air con was effective (Essential too as it was incredibly hot and humid).- Tea and coffee facilities were provided. A rarity for European hotels. - Free ice cold filtered water provided at various points throughout the hotel. Brilliant idea and saves having to buy bottles of water throughout the trip. - Loads of mini markets nearby selling all manner of toiletries and groceries. The casino shop at the corner of the street was a lifesaver. Cons - The bathroom situation was unusual (certainly from an English travellers perspective). The toilet was in its own cubicle near the room entrance door, separate from the rest of the bathroom. In some ways, it helped avoid bathroom clash when theres two sharing a room, but the cubicle was absolutely tiny, so anyone over 5’10 would struggle to use it. Having a separate toilet wasn’t a problem per se, but there was no sink, so you either had to use anti bac gel or walk to the main shower room to wash your hands afterwards. Also the cubicle could have done with being slightly bigger to accommodate taller people. - Maybe not a con per se, but the bedrooms really could have done with having a fridge. Things to Consider - Whilst the hotel is very close to a lot of tourist attractions (as well as a very short tram ride from the Musee des Confluences) - the area around the hotel can appear sketchy at night. Also if you wish to walk north to rather than take the tram, you’ll have to walk through a tunnel which smells of urine which is rather unpleasant. Once you’re through the other side, you’re in the main square and walking distance or a short metro ride from most things, so I’d still say the location is good. If the tunnel issue might bother you, then I’d advise taking the tram one stop north, then either getting the metro or walking up north into the city centre.Overall the hotel is brilliant and were it not for the bathroom issue - it would get a solid 5 stars. Whilst the area may seem a little sketchy at night, I certainly encountered no problems and the takeaway selection was superb. I’d definitely upgrade to a superior room for the extra space and balcony. Would I stay here again - absolutely and given the value for money, I have not regrets about staying here. , Directeur général at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture, responded to this review Hello O816OCwilliaml,Thank you very much for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful review of your stay at Hôtel Le Charlemagne. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of your room, the balcony, our facilities, and especially the service provided by our team. Your kind words about our staff will be passed along—they will be thrilled!We also appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the bathroom layout and the absence of a fridge. We are taking note of these points as we continue to improve the guest experience.Regarding the surrounding area, we are glad that you felt safe and found everything conveniently accessible despite the tunnel, and we appreciate your tips for future travelers.It is wonderful to hear that, overall, you would stay with us again and that you found great value in your stay. We look forward to welcoming you back to Hôtel Le Charlemagne on your next visit to Lyon!Best regards,The Hôtel Le Charlemagne team

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• User:Leyan Z

  Trip type: Friends getaway

  Sab 603

  23 Feb 2025

  I had a fantastic stay at this hotel, and I want to give a special shoutout to Abdelnassir at reception! He was incredibly helpful, always going the extra mile to make sure everything went smoothly for me. His patience, professionalism, and kindness made me feel truly welcomed. If you’re staying here, definitely look for him—he’s amazing! Thank you, Abdelnassir, I hope to see you again next time! Emilie COSTE, Directeur général at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture, responded to this review Dear guest, Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had a fantastic stay at Hôtel Charlemagne and that Abdelnassir at reception made such a positive impact on your experience. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to him—your recognition of his professionalism, patience, and kindness is greatly appreciated.We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Lyon.Kind regards, Management.

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• User:petsponies

  Trip type: Couples

  Definitely not 4 star

  14 Jun 2024

  Stayed overnight en route through France.Whilst the room was clean and the bed comfy, the toilet was so tiny your knees touched the door when it was shut! Very tired overall in all areas and certainly not four star. The breakfast was 14 euros and poor. Everything seemed to be out of a machine including the yoghurt! One of the worst hotel breakfasts we’ve encountered.Only reason we’ve given two stars instead of one is that the staff were lovely. Hélène Rougevin-Baville , Directeur général at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture, responded to this review Dear Client,Thank you for having commented on our hotel. We do understand your discontent and want you to spend the best stay. We take into account your comment, Kindest regards, The Management Team

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