The Marriott Lyon cité internationale offers a quality service but is penalised by its rather out-of-the-way location. Ideal for a conference or even a business trip, but less so for tourism.
I didn’t hesitate too much when it came to booking a hotel for this stay: the Marriott Lyon Cité Internationale is the only Marriott in the city and as I have a quota of nights to keep my status, I don’t have much choice, even if I don’t despair of trying the Intercontinental Hotel Dieu one day.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a summary of articles about this trip to Lyon.
Booking
A few days before my stay I booked a standard room at the rate of 151 euros per night. Shortly before my arrival I noticed on the Marriott application that I had been upgraded to an Executive room. Stingy application of the loyalty programme as there were still junior suites available.
Location
As its name suggests, the hotel is located in the Cité Internationale district. So it’s a bit out of the way, but that’s not a problem.

Lyon is what I call a ‘’small big city‘’ in the sense that the city centre is fairly concentrated. If you like walking, it will take you 20 minutes to reach most of the interesting sites, otherwise the hotel is served by a bus line that will take you to Part Dieu.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
I arrive from the station half an hour behind schedule due to the delay in my train journey. I head for the reception.
The welcome is more than friendly and, for once, the loyalty programme protocol is followed from A to Z, with the recognition that goes with it.
As the hotel does not have a lounge, I was told that the minibar would be free and breakfast offered.
I hesitate to complain about the upgrade but I’ve already been upgraded to a junior suite in this hotel and in the end I found the executive room, which I already know, better as it offers a much nicer view. Besides, I’m not here to spend a lot of time in the hotel.
The executive room
It is a very good size, with a small sitting area and, above all, a balcony with a view of the Parc de la tête d’or.
The bed is a good size and comfortable.
In front of the balcony is a table and two chairs that are supposed to represent a small living room.
I have a slightly mixed opinion on the subject. On the one hand, I have to admit that it’s rather nice, but on the other, it’s the only place to sit and work with your computer in your room. Once again I can only criticise those hotels that offer rooms without a real desk to work at, and even more so in a so-called ‘executive’ room, which is the last straw.
What’s more, there are no power sockets nearby, which means that the computer has to be plugged into the socket on the night table, provided that the cable is long enough, but whatever it is, it will be stretched high up between the wall and the desk, which means that you have to go around the table when you move around.
Opposite the bed is a piece of furniture with a TV on top. In the absence of decoration, the wall looks sadly empty.
The hotel actually fills the mini bar, which is a rarity. Not much, but it’s better than nothing.
The bathroom is large and has a bath and shower.
But the real attraction of this room is its balcony…
…and its superb views over the Parc de la Tête d’Or.
That’s why I prefer this room to the suite I’ve been upgraded to in the past. This view is infinitely more pleasant than the view of the hotel buildings offered by the suite.
And to finish the tour in video.
A very pleasant room, not least because of the view and the balcony, at a very reasonable price.
Restaurants and bars
The hotel has an Italian restaurant with an excellent reputation, but which I have still not tried, and a bar which I enjoy visiting every time I stay here.
I’m particularly insistent on this point because, although I often complain that hotel bars (except for luxury hotels) offer the bare minimum in terms of service and menu, here it’s quite the opposite. The staff are very pleasant and attentive (what’s more, they recognise you from one stay to the next) and a real effort is made on the menu and the in-house creations.
What’s more, it’s a very pretty place.
It’s a shame that the hotel is a long way from the town centre, as it’s a bar that could attract a clientele beyond the hotel’s own guests.
Facilities
The hotel does not offer a swimming pool or spa, but does have a gym.
It does not belong to the hotel but is an independent gym located in the building but outside the hotel to which hotel guests have free access.
It’s small and not particularly well equipped, but given its size it’s hard to do better.
Not gloomy, but almost.
Check-out
I’ll check out on the Marriott app and leave the hotel without having to go through the reception again.
Bottom line
A hotel that does its job well, but its location can be an obstacle.
All the articles about this trip to Lyon
# | Type | Post |
1 | Diary | Preparing a gastronomic stay in Lyon |
2 | Train | Paris-Lyon, Trenitalia, Executive Class |
3 | Hotel | Marriott Lyon Cité Internationale |
4 | Restaurant | Le Bouchon Sully, Lyon |
5 | Restaurant | La mère Brazier, Lyon |
6 | Train | Lyon-Paris, Trenitalia, Executive Class |
7 | Diary | Debriefing of the stay in Lyon |