Villa Florentine, Lyon

I was driving from Paris to Venice and needed a stop for the night about half way. Villa Florentine, I thought, would be merely suitable. It should have been a destination by itself. Furnished in warm but southern French charm, the hotel sits atop the highest point in the historic city of Lyons and commands a view to die for. The bathroom in our suite was gleaming marble, with French doors opening again onto the breathtaking view of the 2000 year old city. The house restaurant had 2 Michelin stars and was still the best meal we'd eaten on our month long trip through Europes grandest cities. The staff treated us like family and we were actually disappointed to be checking out after such a brief stay. We have added Lyons as a future destination city and we would stay nowhere but Villa Florentine. Its value exceeded its cost.