Grand Hotel Des Terreaux

We’ve stayed in more than 200 places across Europe, and this was one of our worst hotel experiences. The rooms were small and stuffy, with few of the amenities you’d expect from a four-star hotel. During our late April stay in southern France, the air conditioning wasn’t working despite the warm weather. Reception said it wouldn’t be available until summer, though other guest reviews said otherwise. It seemed the hotel takes away the remotes until it decides to bring them back. The worst part happened on the morning we left. At 9:00 AM, my husband and I went to a nearby café for breakfast, then got a voicemail from reception accusing us of leaving without paying. When we returned, the receptionist repeated the accusation. We pointed out that checkout wasn’t due for another two and a half hours and explained we’d only gone for breakfast. She said, “You didn’t tell me you were going for breakfast. How was I supposed to know?” She also claimed all the other guests tell her where they’re going, which we found implausible and believe was dishonest. She refused to give us her name at first. After we asked several times, she said it was “Grace,” though we have strong reason to think that might not be accurate. She didn’t answer when we asked if she’d seen us leave with luggage, which we hadn’t, or checked our room, which she hadn’t. She also offered no explanation for saying nothing when we dropped off our key at the front desk, as the hotel requires. The next day, we emailed the hotel director, Madame Estelle Baumann, with the details. We got no reply. A week later we sent a polite follow-up, saying we’d waited to post a review in case she wanted to respond. We still haven’t had any acknowledgment, so we feel we should let other travelers know. We’ve never before been accused of trying to leave without paying just because we stepped out for breakfast before checkout. The hotel doesn’t live up to its advertised rating. Lyon has excellent three-star options with courteous, professional service and good value, as well as plenty of quality four- and five-star places. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

We had an easy stay with no surprises. The location was great and the rooms were decent. We didn’t have breakfast and barely interacted with staff. I’d agree with other reviews that this isn’t really a four-star hotel.

We were there for just two nights, and Marwane at reception was the NICEST, KINDEST person. They even lend guests umbrellas when it rains, which is such a cute touch. We loved the pool, honestly, and don’t get all the negative comments about it bahahha. Breakfast was good, nothing special, but it had what you’d want for a continental breakfast. The location was the best, we walked to le Vieux Lyon and weren’t far from shopping centers. The only downside was no fridge, coffee, or water in the rooms.

This was among the worst hotel stays we’ve had in over 200 stays across Europe. On the morning we left, my wife and I went out for breakfast at a nearby café at 9:00 AM. Soon after, reception left a voicemail accusing us of leaving without paying. The receptionist repeated it when we got back, even though checkout was still two and a half hours away and we explained we’d only gone to eat. She said, “You didn’t tell me you were going for breakfast. How was I supposed to know?” When we asked if she’d accused other guests, she claimed everyone tells her where they’re going when they leave. We found that hard to believe and think she was being dishonest. She initially refused to give her name, then gave one after we asked several times, though we have strong reason to doubt it was accurate. She also didn’t answer when asked whether she’d seen us leave with luggage, which we hadn’t, or checked the room, which she hadn’t. She never explained why she hadn’t raised any concern when we left our key at the front desk as required. The hotel also falls short of four-star standards. The rooms are small and stuffy, with fewer amenities than you’d expect. There was no working AC despite warm weather during our stay in late April in southern France. Reception said it wouldn’t be available until summer, though other reviews contradicted that. It seems the hotel removes the remotes until it chooses to return them. We’d never been falsely accused of trying to leave without paying just for stepping out for breakfast before checkout.