Unbelievable Lyon Luxury: Ibis Styles Confluence Hotel Review!
Unbelievable Lyon Luxury: Ibis Styles Confluence Hotel - My Honest, Messy, and Surprisingly Delightful Review!
Okay, so let's be real. I'm no Michelin-star critic. I'm just me, and I just spent a few days at the Ibis Styles Confluence in Lyon. And you know what? It was… well, it was something. Let’s dive in, shall we? This isn't your perfectly polished brochure; this is my experience, warts and all (and there were a few, trust me).
First Impressions & Accessibility - The Good and… Well, Less Good
Right off the bat, the location is fantastic. Smack-bang in the Confluence district, which is all shiny new buildings and cool vibes. The hotel itself? Modern, clean lines. The lobby? Bright, airy, and… wait for it… had a giant, colourful artwork that I couldn't quite decipher. I think that sets the tone, doesn't it?
Accessibility? This is where things get a little… mixed. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available, which is a huge plus. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Marked as available. However, I didn't personally need these things, so I can't give a granular review. I did notice a general lack of super obvious signs for accessible routes, so potential guests with mobility concerns might want to call ahead and specifically ask for details. Always a good idea!
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Everywhere! (Hallelujah!)
Let's talk internet. Because in this day and age, it's practically air. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – a HUGE win. And it actually worked. I could stream my favourite ridiculous shows, video call my cat (don't judge), and generally do all the things I needed to do without the agonizing buffering that plagues some hotels. Internet [LAN] is listed, which is a bonus for the old-schoolers, I guess. Wi-Fi in public areas was also reliable. Basically, you're covered.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Secure, Kinda…But…
Okay, so cleanliness and safety are big deals these days, right? Ibis Styles Confluence tries. They have anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and even sterilizing equipment. They have a bunch of the hygiene certification, which is reassuring. They also offer something called room sanitization opt-out available, which is… interesting. Seems like they're trying to be eco-conscious on an opt-in basis.
The daily housekeeping was decent, though one day I swear my towels were folded in a slightly different manner. Was it a conscious shift in towel-folding technique? I'll never know. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are present. The security [24-hour] seemed good, though I didn’t exactly test their mettle. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property should put your mind at ease. All the basics seemed solid.
Rooms: Comfy Enough, But Prepare for Quirks!
My room? It was… well, it was an Ibis Styles room. Think functional, not opulent. Air conditioning was a lifesaver in the summer heat. The blackout curtains were great. The bed was comfy enough, though I wouldn't kick an extra long one out! Additional toilet was a plus – saves you those awkward bathroom stand-offs.
Now, the quirks. My window that opens was a little tricky. It squeaked like a dying walrus, and getting it to stay open required a degree in engineering. The shower? Powerful, yes, but the water pressure seemed to fluctuate with the whims of the universe. But on the other hand, there was a coffee/tea maker which is always a win! The complimentary tea was a nice touch too! The mirror was well-placed, which helped with the all-important morning routine. And, you know, the bathrobes were nice, but I forgot to wear them.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – More Hits Than Misses!
Alright, let's talk food! This is where things got really interesting. The breakfast [buffet] was included in my stay, and it was a solid B+. They had the usual Western breakfast fare: pastries, eggs, bacon (yesss), and some surprisingly good coffee. Coffee/tea in restaurant was available.
What can I say about the Restaurant? The in-house restaurant offers A la carte in restaurant, and while I didn't have a full-blown meal, the desserts in restaurant looked tempting.
The Poolside Bar: I did try to hit up the Poolside Bar but it was a bit underwhelming. Sadly, the pool itself is in the picture but not in reality.
I did, however, take full advantage of the 24-hour room service one night when I was feeling utterly defeated and in need of comfort food and a movie marathon.
Services and Conveniences – Keeping Things Running Smoothly (Mostly)
The front desk [24-hour] was a godsend. The staff was friendly, helpful, and spoke decent English (which helped my broken French immensely). Concierge service offered some assistance, and the luggage storage was convenient. There's a dry cleaning service available. Cash withdrawal from the currency exchange was available too.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… and Other Perks!
The Confluence district itself is a treasure trove of things to do. You're near the shops, museums and the river itself.
Fitness Center: The fitness center seemed okay, though I confess I mostly used it for taking pictures of myself looking like I might work out.
There is a terrace available!
For the kids:
Family/child friendly is a plus.
Getting Around
I am extremely excited to report that there is free car park [on-site]. This is great. I also noticed the presence of a taxi service.
Final Verdict: Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely. For the price, the location, and the overall vibe, the Ibis Styles Confluence is a winner. It's not perfect, but it's comfortable, clean, and the staff genuinely seems to care. Plus, those black-out curtains were a lifesaver.
So, are you convinced?
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Indonesian Paradise: Your Luxurious 1BR Escape (SU65)
Okay, here we go. Buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my take on conquering Lyon, fueled by croissants, caffeine, and the occasional existential crisis while staring out the window of the ibis Styles Lyon Confluence.
Day 1: Arrival & A Questionable First Impression (aka "Where Did I Park My Sanity?")
- 10:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Lyon Airport (LYS). God help me. Flights are the bane of my existence. Always delayed, always cramped. This time? I'm pretty sure I was crammed into a seat that was designed for a particularly tiny elf. My bag, bless its overstuffed cotton heart, decided to take a scenic route to Lyon, which meant a panicked sprint to the luggage carousel. Found it.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to ibis Styles Lyon Confluence. "Confluence" sounds fancy, right? Like I’m some kind of river goddess. The hotel itself? Alright. Clean. Functional. Slightly…beige. First judgment: Fine for a place I'm using to rest my head. It's got that "business travel" vibe, which is a bit depressing, but hey, free Wi-Fi.
- 11:30 AM: Check-in. The front desk staff were perfectly polite, but I'm pretty sure the guy looked like he'd rather be wrestling alligators. Jet lag is kicking in. I’m pretty sure I could fall asleep standing up at this point.
- 12:00 PM: Room exploration and the unpacking of what luggage I had. Realizing I forgot my favorite scarf, and the existential dread of starting my trip with a wardrobe malfunction.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a brasserie nearby. "Nearby" in this case means, "I stumbled upon it after wandering aimlessly for ten minutes." Found a charming little spot. Ordered a Croque Monsieur because, well, when in France. It was…fine. Nothing to write home about, but the bread was crispy, and the bechamel wasn't completely gloopy. Small victories.
- 2:00 PM: Attempt to walk around the Confluence area. It's… modern. Very modern. Like, almost too modern. Concrete and glass everywhere. Started getting a strong craving for a cobblestone street and a little bit of chaos. Saw the Musée des Confluences from the outside, it looks like a giant spaceship. Decided to save it for a day I have more mental bandwidth.
- 3:00 PM: Coffee break. Found a café. Ordered un café and then I tried to do some attempts in French language. The barista was very forgiving.
- 3:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhaustion is setting in. Took a nap. Woke up feeling vaguely guilty about napping.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Another brasserie. They had steak frites. Decided to order it and that was a great decision. It was delicious. The frites were beyond good. I'm seriously considering spending all my time in Lyon devoted to finding the perfect fry.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt at watching TV in English, the only channel was CNN, I didn't understand too much. Gave up and went to bed.
Day 2: Vieux Lyon & The Quest for Perfect Bouchon Food
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel breakfast buffet. Ah, the buffet. The land of lukewarm scrambled eggs and questionable pastries. Took a deep breath, armed myself with a croissant (mandatory), and dove in. Tried to stick to the cheese and bread, that usually works.
- 10:00 AM: Metro to Vieux Lyon. The metro is surprisingly efficient. Found my first French accent that sounds like something out of a movie.
- 10:30 AM: Exploring Vieux Lyon. Finally. Cobblestone streets! Colorful buildings! This is what I came for. Seriously, this old town is perfect.
- 11:00 AM: Went around the traboules. A maze of secret passageways. I got lost, which was perfect. Really got a sense of the history of the city. It's like stepping back in time, but hopefully not too far back.
- 12:00 PM: The bouchon hunt begins! A bouchon is a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant. They’re supposed to be hearty, and full of character. I'd read about them, seen pictures, and I was hungry. Found a place called "La Mère Brazier." It had good reviews.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at La Mère Brazier. This bouchon was a true experience. We're talking real Lyonnaise cuisine, folks. I ordered the quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings) and the cervelle de canut (fresh cheese with herbs). I would call it culinary experimentation. The dumplings were… interesting. The cheese? Incredible. I ate every bite, even the stuff I wasn't sure I wanted to eat.
- 2:30 PM: Wandering in the area. Then I saw it. A chocolate shop. I went in, and I did some purchases.
- 4:00 PM: A walk around with a friend. We talked, laughed, and tried some coffee. It was a beautiful day to enjoy Lyon and its sights.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel to rest .
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Found again a brasserie. I was pretty tired to explore too much. Started writing down my notes.
Day 3: Day Trip & A Moment of Beauty (and Mild Panic)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Same buffet, different day. This time, I’m loaded up on pain au chocolat.
- 10:00 AM: Train to Annecy. I saw some pictures, and it looks amazing. The train ride was pleasant. I spend some time looking at my phone and reading.
- 11:30 AM: Arriving in Annecy. Holy mother of lakes! The town itself is stunning. The canals are like something out of a fairytale. I almost burst into tears from the beauty.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Annecy. Found a restaurant with a view. Ordered something I can't remember.
- 1:00 PM: Exploring the shops and canals. I had to send a postcard to my family. It's like a postcard that will never arrive.
- 3:00 PM: Boat tour on the lake. Magical. Peaceful. Until… the boat got stuck. Briefly. I’m not great with water and close spaces, and I started to get a little bit anxious. Thankfully, it was quickly resolved.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the station to return to Lyon.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a small restaurant. Food was good.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel to rest.
Day 4: Food Tour & Concluding Thought
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I found a decent pastry.
- 10:00 AM: Food tour. I had been waiting for this since I booked the trip. Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France. That's the point of the entire trip
- 1:00 PM: Tour continues. Some cheeses, some wines, some meats, etc.
- 4:00 PM: I'm exhausted and my stomach is full.
- 6:00 PM: Final dinner in Lyon.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the hotel. I started packing my bag. What a trip!.
Final Thoughts (aka My Emotional Summary)
Lyon, you’ve been…an experience. Messy, beautiful, delicious, and a little bit overwhelming. I didn't love everything about this trip. The hotel wasn't perfect, the weather wasn't always ideal, but I did find moments of genuine joy, of wonder, and of really, really good food. And sometimes, that's all you can ask for. Maybe.
Now, to the airport. Wish me luck. And if you see a slightly frazzled woman running for her flight, it's probably me.
Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (IR50A)
Unbelievable Lyon Luxury (…Kinda): My Ibis Styles Confluence Hotel Review – FAQ Edition! (Brace Yourselves)
Okay, spill the beans. Is the Ibis Styles Confluence in Lyon REALLY "luxury"? Seriously?
Luxury? Honey, let's just call it... *aspirational* luxury. Look, it's an Ibis Styles. We all know the drill. It's not the Ritz. Think "clean, relatively modern, and strategically placed near the fancy Confluence shopping center." I'd describe it more like... comfortably chic-ish with a dash of "budget-conscious traveler's dream." The word "unbelievable" in the title is, shall we say, *ironic*. I used it to grab your attention – and because frankly, some of the *prices* did feel unbelievable. In the "WTF is that costing me?" sort of way.
What was the *vibe* like? Did you feel like you were living your best Lyon life?
The vibe? Okay, so picture this: I arrive, jet-lagged, suitcase practically exploding with questionable souvenir t-shirts. The lobby is bright, colourful, and trying *very* hard. It's like a modern art gallery exploded, but instead of abstract paintings, there are comfy chairs and, thankfully, a functioning air conditioning. I felt… a bit like a slightly overwhelmed tourist, which, to be fair, *I was*. Definitely not a glamorous Parisian socialite, although I tried to channel that energy when ordering my first (and only) ridiculously expensive croissant.
Let's talk rooms! What did you *actually* get for your Francs? (And please, no sugarcoating!)
Alright, room reveal time. My room...well, it was a room. Clean-ish. Okay, let's be honest: the first impression was, "Huh, this is… compact." Think, efficiency apartment with a slightly elevated design sense. The bed was… fine. Acceptable. Not the "sink-into-a-cloud" kind of luxury. More like, "restful enough after a day of walking my feet off in Lyon." The bathroom? Basic, but functional. Soap, shampoo, the usual suspects. The *best* part by far? The window! I loved peeking at the city.
Okay, details, details! Was the breakfast decent? That's a make-or-break for me.
The breakfast… *breathes deeply*. It was… a breakfast. It was *included*, which is always a win. There was, let's say, a *selection*. Cereals, pastries (the croissants were, unsurprisingly, not quite the Parisian perfection I'd hoped for but still good for a quick bite), some fruits, and the dreaded scrambled eggs. I am a harsh critic of hotel scrambled eggs. These were... edible. I've had worse, I've had better. The coffee thankfully did the job of waking me up. My advice? Lower your expectations, and you’ll be relatively pleased. Also, grab a few extra pain au chocolat for later, you'll thank me.
What about the staff? Were they helpful? Or were you dealing with the infamous "French Snark"?
Ah, the staff. This is where things got a little… *interesting*. Mostly, they were fine. Polite, professional, all the jazz. No overt French snark (thank goodness). There was this one guy at reception, though, who seemed permanently exhausted. I swear, I asked for directions, and I got a look that said, "Lady, I've heard this question a thousand times today. Just Google it." But hey, everyone has their off days, right? Another staff member was really helpful with figuring out the tram system, bless her soul, because… Lyon trams! They are a puzzle at times.
Location, Location, Location! How was the Ibis Styles' spot in relation to all things Lyon?
Confluence! That's the keyword, right? The location *is* decent. You're near the modern Confluence shopping center (for those emergency shopping runs), the Musée des Confluences (worth a visit!), and the tram lines are close. But… here's the thing: you're not *right* in the heart of the Vieux Lyon (Old Town) craziness. This isn't a bad thing if you're after a bit of peace and quiet. The walk into the heart of the action is about 20-30 minutes, so factor that in. Think of it: a stroll along the Rhône, a bit of exercise, and then… *boum* food, wine, the whole shebang.
Okay, the "unbelievable" bit – what *specifically* was "unbelievable" about it? Dish the dirt!
Alright, here's where it gets real. The "unbelievable" bit… well, it wasn't a specific *feature* of the hotel. It was the entire experience. Particularly, related to… a fire alarm. Okay, so it's Saturday. The City is alive with the sound of laughter, horns blaring, and… a fire alarm. We're all up in the middle of the night, the blaring sound in my ears. Imagine, a full hotel, all bleary-eyed, in a panic at 3am. You can imagine my reaction. First of all, I wanted to know what in the world was going on. Secondly, I wanted to know if I had to run naked down the stairs. Third, I just wanted to go back to sleep! So we all spill out into the courtyard, wrapped in our bathrobes, looking like a scene from a bad sitcom. It turned out to be a false alarm (thankfully!). But the sheer chaos… the bewildered expressions… the fact that I was in my pyjamas in the middle of Lyon at 3 AM... That, my friends, was an *unbelievable* experience. Not in a good way. Although, looking back now… it's kinda funny.
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
Would I recommend it? Honestly? *Maybe*. If you're on a budget, need a clean place to crash, and don't demand the world's most luxurious experience, then yeah, it does the job. Its location, aside from *that* night, is good, near transportation, and relatively quiet. If you're a luxury snob, however? Run. Run far, far away. Also, let's be real, the fire alarm thing could happen anywhere. So consider that. I'm still holding a grudge, though!
