Citadines Part-Dieu Lyon

Rooms and decor

This is the one pick in the roundup that works like an apartment rather than a hotel. The units come as studios and one-bedrooms, each with a compact kitchen — an electric hob, microwave, fridge and basic kitchenware — plus a desk and a flat-screen TV. Rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable, though the units are compact and the lounge space is limited, so think functional rather than spacious. The thing reviewers raise most often is that some rooms have no air-conditioning, which turns into a real problem during Lyon's hot summers. Specify that you want an AC room when you book and you sidestep the issue.

Food and amenities

The headline features are the in-room kitchen and the washing machine. On a longer stay of 4 to 7 nights they save you a lot, especially if you shop for fresh produce at the nearby Halles Paul Bocuse market or a local supermarket and cook for yourself. There's a 24-hour front desk and fast free Wi-Fi, and reviewers single out the staff as friendly and genuinely helpful. Convenience stores, bakeries and restaurants are all within walking distance if you'd rather not cook.

Location and getting there

It's about 600 metres from Lyon Part-Dieu station, an easy 8-minute walk. The Halles Paul Bocuse food market — Lyon's famous hall for fresh and prepared food — is close by, which is part of what makes the kitchen worth having; stock up there and the in-room setup starts to earn its keep. Metro line B and several bus routes run nearby, so reaching the rest of the city is simple even though you're not parked right on the station.

Things to know before booking

Two honest caveats. First, some rooms have no AC — ask before booking and request a room that has it, particularly in summer. Second, the units are compact with limited lounge space, so think of this as a functional base rather than somewhere to sprawl. And because it sits 600 metres from the station rather than right beside it, you'll walk a few minutes with your bags rather than stepping straight off the platform.

Our take

Citadines Part-Dieu suits travellers settling in for 3 nights or more who want to keep costs down by cooking their own meals, families who want more room than a standard hotel, and anyone who'd rather have a washing machine than lug extra luggage. It's the cheapest option here and the most practical for a longer trip — just lock in an air-conditioned room first.