As part of a business trip to Northern France, I stayed at the Moxy Lille Centre, a newly opened hotel in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Let’s take a look back at a very pleasant stay, at an unbeatable price.
Booking
As usual, I booked into my favorite Marriott hotel (well, OK, the only one…), the Hermitage Gantois, located 5 minutes’ walk from the station and boasting 5 stars, virtually the only one in the city.
But when I make my reservation in the Marriott Bonvoy app, I see that a Moxy hotel is available, one of my favorite Marriott chains!
Without a second thought, I look at the rates… Standard rooms are €69 and suites €99, so I don’t hesitate for a second and book a suite.
Arrival
The Moxy Lille is much further from Lille Flandres station than the Hermitage Gantois. A good 15 minutes when you’re groping around like I was on the outward journey, and a good 10 minutes on the return journey when you know the way and hurry up a bit.
I arrive in front of a magnificent building, and a just-finished hotel where some scotch tape is still on the doors.
The lobby makes a very good impression, being stately yet decorated in the usual Moxy style, wacky and casual.
I’m greeted on arrival by a receptionist, who immediately calls the head receptionist, who comes to welcome me in person and by name (although I’ve never mentioned my name): I’m impressed by such a welcome in a half-service hotel!
Welcome formalities are completed very quickly. I’m asked to choose between points and F&B credit (I choose points) and I’m given a form to fill in for the next day’s breakfast, which I’m told is free… Good point for Moxy!
Once again, I’m pleasantly surprised when the receptionist offers to escort me to my room. I politely decline, asking where the elevator is, and am escorted to it.
Room
My suite was located on the 5th and top floor of the property (suite 510).
It’s very spacious, which is rare for a hotel of this brand.
A very large entrance leads to the bathroom, which is on the right and separated by a double sliding door, in the original style of the building.
The latter is equipped with an extra-large toilet, a beautiful washbasin and a very large shower for relaxing before a good night’s sleep.
Back to the bedroom, with the eternal Moxy open closet, a small desk, an armchair and then the king-size bed, which turns out to be extremely comfortable.
A small sofa (certainly convertible into a bed) is in one of the corners.
It’s worth noting that the room has a mansard roof, which gives it a certain cachet, but that the openings are quite small and fitted with Velux windows.
To finish, a video tour:
Hotel facilities
The property has a fitness room in the basement.
I won’t be using it this time, but I did take a few photos for TravelGuys.
The space is rather limited, but the free weights and weight machines are very comprehensive. However, the treadmills and bikes were missing at the time of our visit.
Food options
Catering, as in all the chain’s hotels, takes place around the bar located near reception.
In the evening, while waiting for my Uber Eats order, I’ll have two Spritz, which will be excellently prepared by the barmaid.
In the morning, I’ll have breakfast on the go. It will be copious and excellent. Top !
Departure
Check-out formalities will be a bit laborious, as the receptionist will search for a long time in her computer to print out my invoice. Fortunately, I finish my breakfast while she completes these formalities.
Bottom line
An excellent stay in this new hotel with unbeatable rates. And one that makes the Hermitage Gantois, which is really showing its age and whose rooms deserve a good renovation, look really old.
