Luxury Lyon Stay: Campanile Hotel - Gare Perrache & Confluence!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into a whirlpool of opinions, anecdotes, and probably some rambling, about the Luxury Lyon Stay: Campanile Hotel - Gare Perrache & Confluence. Let's be real, "luxury" and "Campanile" aren't exactly synonymous, are they? But hey, let's see what this place cooks up.
Accessibility: Okay, HUGE win off the bat. They actually seem to care. Accessibility is listed, so we're hoping for ramps and elevators and all that jazz. Good start, Campanile, good start. I've been to places where "wheelchair accessible" meant "we have a front door, good luck getting through it." This needs further investigation, especially if you, dear reader, need it.
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, a must-have for many, and the listing suggests this is covered. I'd call ahead and confirm though. Don't just take my word for it – verify, verify, verify!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This might be important. My aching back, and my even more aching wallet appreciates fewer steps.
Internet Access & Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray for modern times! Especially for the digital nomads and bloggers, this is a HUGE selling point. That free Wi-Fi is a game-changer. This is crucial.
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: LAN? In this day and age? Hmmm. I guess… if you're REALLY into vintage connections. The important thing is they got Internet, that's the bread and butter.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Gotta love the convenience of being able to check your emails or send that last-minute Instagram post from the lobby.
"Things to do, ways to relax": Okay, this is where things get interesting. Let's see…
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: WHOA! Alright, hold your horses! Campanile… are you pulling a fast one on me? Are you REALLY offering all this? A pool with a view? A sauna? A spa?! This is where I need a hefty dose of skepticism. This is a Campanile, not a Four Seasons! I can picture it now, a rusty gym with two treadmills from the 80s and a "pool with a view" looking out onto a car park (which they also list as a feature. I'll get back to that) I am super curious, however, if they provide any of this.
- The best part: The Pool with a View let's stop at the first sign of relaxation. I just picture myself after a long day of travel, finally settling in my room and I decide to go for a swim. I open up the big doors, and the view I'm greeted with, is the most amazing view ever… the Car Park. That is what I'm hoping for.
Cleanliness and safety: Let's hope. This is a must in the world after everything we've been through. It's a relief to see this prioritized.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: This is impressive, and really puts me at ease. The world has changed, and it's good to see hotels rising to the occasion, in any case.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Ah, the crucial fuel for any adventure.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, the breadth of options is kind of astounding. Asian cuisine? A poolside bar (if the pool actually exists and has a view)? 24-hour room service? This is starting to sound suspiciously… good. I should probably temper my expectations. A "poolside bar" at a Campanile probably means a vending machine selling lukewarm soda and a packet of chips. "Happy hour" might mean the barman is just happy to hand you your beer.
Services and conveniences: This is where a hotel can really shine or reveal all its shortcomings.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: A pretty comprehensive list, which, if delivered, is going to be a dream for business travelers and folks who, like me, enjoy a bit of comfort and convenience.
For the kids: This isn't for me, but I can see that a lot of people will appreciate this.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Good to see they are thinking about the little ones.
Access: The usual, but always important.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Security is obviously a plus. The proposal spot… well, maybe don't put too much stock in that one.
Getting around:
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Free parking? Score! Car charging is also a nice touch for those with electric vehicles.
Available in all rooms: The real deal breakers.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: A lot of standard stuff, plus some nice touches. Bathrobes and slippers! Blackout curtains are crucial. Internet access (wireless, thankfully) is a must.
A Messy Conclusion and the BIG Offer:
So, what's the verdict? This Luxury Lyon Stay: Campanile Hotel - Gare Perrache & Confluence sounds like, on paper, it’s trying REALLY hard. Are they overpromising? Quite possibly. I'm still skeptical of the spa and the pool with a view. But, if they deliver on even half of what's listed, it could be a surprisingly pleasant stay. Those cleanings protocols are truly great. The location, presumably, is good for exploring Lyon.
My Honest Take: It's tricky. Campanile isn't known for extravagance, but if the basics are good – clean rooms, comfy beds, reliable Wi-Fi – and the extra amenities are a bonus, who am I to complain?
The Offer:
Book your stay at the Luxury Lyon Stay: Campanile Hotel - Gare Perrache & Confluence and get a free upgrade to a room with a view (fingers crossed it's not just the car park!).
Book for a 3-night stay or longer and get a COMPLIMENTARY complimentary breakfast, and a voucher for happy hour at that poolside bar (again…fingers crossed).
For The Solo Traveler: As a solo traveler, I'm always looking for a place where I feel safe and can enjoy myself. This hotel seems to offer just that. With its safety features and variety of amenities, it
Butterworth Bliss: 4R3B Homestay in Penang Sleeps 8!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn’t your grandma’s perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. We’re diving headfirst into Lyon, specifically the… ahem… charm of the Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Perrache - Confluence. Prepare for some serious messiness.
The Chronological Chaos: Lyon, You Rascal! (And My Questionable Sleep Schedule)
Day 1: Arrival – Or, "Where's My Luggage, Again?"
- Morning (7:00 AM…-ish): Wake up (or, more accurately, try to wake up) after a red-eye that felt more like a red-eyed torture chamber. Flight delayed, seatmate snoring like a chainsaw, and now… I'm pretty sure I've got a crick in my neck that'll last until Christmas. Arrived at the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport.
- Morning (9:30 AM): The train! Finally! That TER (regional train) was… well, it was a train. Efficient, I guess. The scenery whisked by in a blur of green fields, which was fine by me because I was desperately trying to unglue my eyelids.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrive at Gare Perrache. The station, a hulking concrete beast, initially overwhelmed me. Found the Campanile. Checked in. The room? Well, it is a Campanile. Functional. Clean-ish. The air conditioning works (thank the heavens). Immediately collapsed on the bed. I might have drooled. Don't judge.
- Early Afternoon (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Attempted to find lunch. Wandered around the area, a bit dazed. Managed to snag a croque monsieur from a tiny café with a grumpy but cute barista. It was…adequate. The cheese was melty, which is really all that matters in these situations.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Okay, let's get this adventure started. After the necessary nap, time to Explore the Confluence district, the modern bit of Lyon. OMG The Musée des Confluences! A spaceship landed on the Rhone! Architecture, which I don't care enough about, is impressive. The exhibits themselves? Whoa. (I'm kind of a sucker for natural history museums). The human evolution display? Gave me the existential chills. I'm not sure I'm going to look at my own thumbs the same way again.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Wandered down to the docks. The confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers is a pretty sight. Saw a couple of buskers playing accordion; felt oddly moved. Probably the jet lag.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. Okay, so here's where things went sideways, in a delicious way. Searched for something genuinely Lyonnaise. Found a bouchon (a traditional Lyon restaurant) called "Le Bouchon des Cordeliers" (I think). Packed to the rafters, but miraculously got a table. Ate quenelles (a kind of dumpling) in a creamy sauce, andouillette (a sausage that smells like…well, let’s just say it’s an acquired taste; mine is not yet acquired), and copious amounts of wine. Almost died from meat coma, but in a good way. My tastebuds were having a party! I'm pretty sure I ordered half the menu.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Staggered back to the Campanile. Successfully bypassed the vending machine (tempting, so tempting). Passed out immediately.
Day 2: Vieux Lyon & The Unsung Hero of Lunch
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Woke up, feeling… strangely invigorated. Maybe it was the sheer meat of the previous night that did it! Headaches were present. Coffee + pain au chocolat from the bakery down the street. Success.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Vieux Lyon! The old town! Cobblestone streets, Renaissance architecture, and all the charm of a postcard. It's seriously beautiful. Got hopelessly lost in the traboules (secret passageways – a Lyon specialty). Wandering, looking at the shops and the people, made me feel like a local!
- Lunch (12:00 PM -1:00 PM): The best meal of the trip: a takeaway sandwich from a nondescript boulangerie (bakery). A baguette, perfectly crusty, had a ham that tasted like heaven, soft cheese. The best part? It was dirt cheap, and I ate it while sitting on a bench, watching the world go by. Sometimes, the simple things are the best.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM-3:00 PM): Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. So many steps! The views from the top? Insane. Lyon sprawled out below me, a tapestry of red roofs and church spires. The Basilica itself is… well, it’s ornate. Really, really ornate. I'm not religious, but the sheer grandeur of it took my breath away.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): A bit of shopping. Found a scarf. Maybe I was being a bit of a tourist?
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Another meal. Restaurant called "Les Halles Paul Bocuse". Well, a part of its, it's too expensive to eat at a fancy one, a local restaurant near the market, and got some of the ingredients they used. Excellent. Not quite as good as the sandwich, mind you, but still fantastic.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): After dinner, I bought a bottle of wine from the supermarket (probably not the most authentic experience, but…budget). Back to the Campanile. Watched French TV. Fell asleep before the end credits.
Day 3: The Disappointment and The Departure
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Breakfast. The Campanile breakfast buffet. Let’s just say I'm not planning on writing home about it. Standard, basic, fills a hole.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Attempted to visit the Musée Lumière. Closed. Closed! On a Monday! Which, I did eventually realize, is a thing. The museum was closed. Devastation. Instead, I went to a random park and drank coffee while reading.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch. A pastry place. Pain au chocolat for the road!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Checked out of the Campanile. Packed. Said goodbye to the rather functional (and now I was a lot more grateful for), air-conditioned room.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Train to the airport. Traffic. Airport security. The usual circus.
- Departure (5:00 PM onward): On the plane. Feeling bittersweet. Lyon was a whirlwind. From the architecture to the… questionable smells in the andouillette, it was an experience. Would I go back? Probably, when I've had a long vacation, and don't have to rush across Europe in a week.
- Epilogue : I'm home now. My luggage did eventually arrive. The jet lag? Still battling that. Lyon is a memory, a mix of beauty, meat, and a whole lot of wandering. And you know what? That’s exactly how I like it. À bientôt, Lyon. You crazy place.
So, what *is* this FAQ about, anyway?
Well, that's a brilliant question! Officially? This is supposed to be an "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) related to... well, you know, *stuff*. Basically, thoughts, rants, and maybe even some helpful-ish tips about life – specifically, *my* life, and all the glorious, messy, wonderful, and sometimes downright infuriating things that come with it. Expect everything from the mundane to the existential dumpster fire. Consider yourself warned.
Why are you doing this? Is it like, a cry for help?
Okay, first off: maybe. Look, life is bonkers. Sometimes you gotta just… vent. And sometimes, you find that by sorting of verbalizing some of the things you've experienced, its easier to handle. So, yeah, call it therapy, call it a desperate attempt to connect with the void, call it whatever keeps you entertained. As long as you don't expect miracles, you might be okay. (I hope.)
What's your biggest fear?
Oh, good grief, where to *begin*? Okay, okay, besides the obvious – spiders, clowns, my ex-wife’s cooking – I guess it’s the fear of… regret. Like, *really* regretting stuff. Spending my life doing things I don’t care about, surrounded by people I don't truly connect with. Ugh. Thinking it makes my stomach lurch a little. That said, maybe I should be afraid of not being afraid, because that's what would truly be regrettable. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking this. (Probably.)
What's something you're really good at?
Okay, hold on, let me think... Well, I can make a *mean* PB&J sandwich. Like, *art* level. Crusts off, perfect peanut butter-to-jelly ratio, just the right amount of squishiness. And I'm also pretty good at... catastrophizing. Not the *best* skill, I admit, but I'm a well-seasoned professional at imagining all the worst-case scenarios. It’s a gift, really. A slightly depressing, anxiety-inducing gift.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Ah, this is where things get a bit... fuzzy. I've heard a lot of advice. Most of it was pretty useless, honestly. But I remember my grandfather (a man who knew a thing or two about surviving) once told me, "Don't let the bastards get you down." Simple, effective. He'd seen some *stuff*. And he might have also been talking about the guy who was stealing the prize-winning tomatoes from his garden. But still, good advice. It got me through some tough spots, no doubt.
What's a memory you'll never forget?
Ugh, okay, brace yourselves. This one is going to get messy. It involves a broken heart, a terrible song, and a karaoke bar.
It was a few years ago. I was in a particularly vulnerable state, freshly dumped, drowning my sorrows in cheap whiskey. I stumbled into a karaoke bar, the kind with sticky floors and a flickering disco ball. I should have known better. But the allure of belting out a power ballad (badly) was too tempting.
Anyway, I got on stage. I chose "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. A terrible, terrible choice - I can't sing worth a damn! The air was thick with the smell of stale beer and someone's desperate dreams, and my voice... oh, my voice hit notes that would make a cat scream. I butchered every single line. I probably looked a mess. And through the red-tinted haze of the stage lights and the tears welling up in my eyes, I saw *her*. The woman who'd broken my heart. She was laughing. Straight to my heart.
Now, I'd like to say I handled it with grace and dignity. I didn't. I was humiliated. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. But even through that, I knew that moment would be etched into my mind forever. It was a mix of pain, embarrassment, and the absurd realization that sometimes, life is just a truly awful karaoke performance. And that, in it's messy, imperfect way, is a memory I'll never forget.
Do you believe in love?
Oof. That's a heavy one. After the karaoke incident? Ask me again after a stiff drink! Look, I've *felt* love, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. The absolute best. But it's also been used. It's also the most painful thing I've ever had to face. So, the honest answer? I don't *know*. I hope it exists, I yearn for it. But I guard my heart a little more carefully these days. Maybe that makes me a cynic. Maybe it makes me a survivor. Ask me tomorrow, I'll probably have a different answer.
What's your biggest pet peeve?
People who chew with their mouths open. Seriously, it's like nails on a chalkboard to my soul. And slow walkers. Especially when they're in front of *me* and I have places to be! Oh, and... (deep breath) when people are deliberately obtuse just to be difficult. Like, come on, what's the point? You're not impressing anyone. It's just… frustrating. I could go on and on about that.
What are you most proud of?
Hmm. Probably getting through this insane life, one day at a time. It's not always pretty, and there are definitely moments where I question everything. But I'm still here, still kicking. Despite all the karaoke disasters and the heartbreaks and the existential dread, I'm still putting one foot in front of the other. That, I suppose, is something to be proud of. And hey, maybe that meanCheap Hotel Search
