Lyon, FranceCharbonnieres-les-Bains
Hôtel & Spa Le Pavillon
Wooded spa estate
Charbonnieres-les-Bains Lyon, France
Opened
2005
Price
$$$
Rated for
Wellness Design LuxeOutside the door
Wooded spa estate
Set outside Lyon, the hotel revives local thermal bathing traditions with a generous spa surrounded by century-old trees.
What it’s good at
Notable
A 900-square-meter garden spa with a counter-current indoor pool, hammam, and eucalyptus sauna.
Listed
Art Deco geometric rugs meet dark wood furnishings and monochrome botanical wallpaper.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Rooms and suites are decorated in shades of ivory and slate gray with colorful pops of deep turquoise and scarlet red.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The Domaine de Lacroix-Laval sits next door with a 16th-century château and English gardens, twenty minutes from central Lyon.
The rooms
Every room opens onto a private terrace or balcony over the forest, with canopy beds and separate soaking tubs.
The indoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
White colonnade arches line the heated indoor pool, and loungers catch the sun beside tall windows facing the park.
The sauna and whirlpool
An indoor whirlpool looks out onto the wooded grounds. Nearby, the wood-lined sauna is infused with eucalyptus.
The spa and gym
Body treatments use Sothys botanicals, and the fitness room lines up Technogym cardio machines against mirrored walls.
At the table
Curved glass walls look onto the park at breakfast, and a fireplace warms Le Bar du Pavillon.
How it began
A local priest discovered iron-rich mineral springs here in the late 18th century, sparking the founding of the spa town.
Lyon
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.