OKKO Hotels Lyon Pont Lafayette

OKKO Hotels is a French brand built around a simple idea: compact, well-designed rooms and a generous shared lounge, the Club, that works like a living room for guests. Its Lyon hotel sits on the Quai du Général Sarrail in the 6th arrondissement, on the left bank of the Rhône directly opposite the Pont Lafayette, and is now marketed as OKKO Hotels Lyon Centre, though the Pont Lafayette name still appears on its pages and on booking sites. It is rated four stars and has 85 rooms, including six premium rooms. The Club is open around the clock, with snacks included as part of the stay, a breakfast buffet in the morning and terraces for a drink in the evening. Rooms are modern and cleverly planned, with good beds and smart storage rather than lots of floor space. The location is a sweet spot between the Presqu’île, across the bridge, and the shops and restaurants of the 6th, with Les Halles Paul Bocuse and Part-Dieu station within reach.

Location and getting around: cross the Pont Lafayette and you are in the Cordeliers district of the Presqu’île in a few minutes, with the Opera, the Hôtel de Ville and the shopping streets beyond. Cordeliers station on metro line A is about an eight-minute walk and Foch about ten. Part-Dieu station is around 20 minutes on foot or under ten minutes on the C13 bus, which makes this a handy base for train travellers. Les Halles Paul Bocuse on the Cours Lafayette is an easy walk east, and the Rhône riverbank paths below the hotel are lovely for a run or an evening stroll.

Rooms: standard rooms are compact but well thought out, and premium rooms add space and better views over the river. Ask for a Rhône-facing room for the outlook over the water to the Presqu’île.

Who it suits: couples and solo travellers who value design and a central location, business visitors arriving by train and food lovers who want Les Halles nearby. Families may find standard rooms tight.

Good to know: the hotel has no car park, only a drop-off point. The nearby Morand and Cordeliers car parks are a few minutes’ walk away, for a fee. Check whether breakfast is included in your rate; snacks in the Club are part of the stay.