The birthplace of the likes of Charles de Gaulle and Louis Pasteur, Lille is steeped in history. Legend has it that this city in northern France saw its beginnings in the year 640. Throughout the centuries, Lille established a reputation for producing outstanding textiles. In the 20th century, the two world wars brought about extensive devastation. But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Lille persevered. Today, this charming city on the Deûle River is a hotspot of culture and commerce. It’s also renowned for its friendliness, so it comes as no surprise that the best hotels in Lille, France, get raves for their friendly service.
Where to Stay in Lille, France
Part of French Flanders, Lille sits near the border between France and Belgium. Thus, the city teems with Flemish influences. Vieux Lille (Old Lille), for instance, feels like a Belgian neighborhood with its red brick buildings. It’s also here where you can find some of the Top Things To Do in Lille. You can visit the Charles De Gaulle Birthplace Museum and admire the stately Vieille Bourse, which was once a stock exchange venue. Quite a few luxury hotels call this district home.
Wazemmes is a great neighborhood for shopping excursions. Check into a hotel here and you’ll have easy access to the amazing Marche de Wazemmes. In this bustling market hall, you’ll face a dizzying array of everything from flowers to sweet honey and fresh cheeses. Stroll along the narrow streets and pop into one of the corner cafes and eateries for quick bites from various parts of the world.
Since Lille is a university town, it exudes a youthful vibe. This is especially pronounced in Vauban Esquermes, a district in the west. Abuzz with students, it’s a wonderful place to stay in Lille. Here, the hotels make great bases for exploring local attractions. The English-style Vauban Garden, for example, is an oasis with its trees, lawns, and ponds. It’s also popular with cyclists and joggers. You can join them and then grab a latte in a hip café afterward. Later, dance your way through the neighborhood’s late-night music clubs.
L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection
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The 5-star L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection is an elegant marriage of the old and the new. Occupying a 15th-century building, it offers rooms equipped with modern comforts. Enjoy a drink from the minibar while watching a show on satellite TV, all the while keeping cool thanks to air-conditioning. Plus, the hotel is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring along Fido.
In the morning, you can request breakfast in bed. Or, head to the brasserie for a buffet breakfast. If the day is warm and you’d like to cool off, head to the spa and soak in the indoor pool. You can also spend some quiet time in the hotel library. Ready for some sightseeing? L’Hermitage Gantois is among the best hotels in Lille, France, when it comes to location. From here, you can walk to nearby landmarks like the Lille Belfry.
Gastama – The People Hostel
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Looking for backpacker-friendly accommodation in Lille? If so, check out Gastama – The People Hostel. Here, you can choose from female dormitory rooms as well as mixed dormitory rooms. But if you’d like a more traditional room for greater privacy, that’s no problem. The hostel offers double and twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
A breakfast with sweet and savory dishes will set you up for the day. Afterward, start exploring the attractions in Old Town, where the hostel is located. Saint-André Church, with its 17th-century marble busts of the saints, is a few steps away. Before you start feeling hungry, shop for ingredients in nearby supermarkets and prepare a quick meal in the hostel’s communal kitchen. Afterward, grab a drink from the bar and hang out with other guests either indoors or outdoors.
Alliance Lille – Couvent Des Minimes
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If the walls of the Alliance Lille – Couvent Des Minimes could talk, they’d tell plenty of interesting stories. The building traces its roots to the 17th century, when it was a convent. While you’re enjoying your buffet breakfast at the restaurant, you can almost imagine the nuns crossing the garden on their way to morning prayer. Later, you can relax in the glass-roofed lounge area. Or, you could walk a few minutes to reach the sprawling Bois de Boulogne park.
The Alliance Lille might be in an ancient building, but it offers luxurious, 21st-century comforts. The rooms, for instance, feature climate control and high-speed Internet. A minibar ensures a cool drink is always at hand should you feel thirsty while watching a show on the satellite TV. What’s more, you can bathe in style in the marble bathroom. With all that it has to offer, it’s no wonder the Alliance Lille is among the best hotels in Lille, France.
Hotel Carlton
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Fancy getting dressed up to watch a performance of Tosca? Book a room at the Hotel Carlton and this will be easy as pie. Just across the street is the neoclassical Opéra de Lille, where you can watch dance performances and concerts in addition to operas. Located slap-bang in the city center, this 5-star hotel abuts the expansive Grand Place or Main Square where the Lillois love to gather.
As you would expect from a luxury hotel, the Carlton’s rooms offer tasteful décor and modern appliances. For a romantic stay, we recommend the Duplex Suite. A lovely wrought iron staircase leads from the living area to the bedroom. In the bathroom, you can soak in the hot tub. And at the Saint James Bar, celebrate your stay with an intimate nightcap.
La Valiz
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When it comes to mid-range accommodation, La Valiz is one of the best hotels in Lille, France. For a 3-star hotel, it offers superb features and amenities. The rooms, for instance, keep cool with air-conditioning. Entertainment’s available in the way of shows on the flat-screen TV. Free Rituals toiletries are also at your disposal in the private bathroom.
In the morning, enjoy traditional local delicacies like Maroilles cheese in the breakfast room. You can also opt for room service if you’d prefer to stay in. And if you’d like to go on a buying expedition, walk a couple of minutes to reach the Euralille shopping center. The train station is likewise close by if you’d like to explore further afield.
Grand Hotel Bellevue – Grand Place
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True to its name, the Grand Hotel Bellevue exudes grandeur from each angle. This luxury hotel, overlooking the Grand Place, is a fine example of Flemish Belle Epoque architecture. It’s long been a favorite of celebrities. In fact, Mozart stayed here for a month when he was nine years old in 1765.
Each of the 64 guest rooms is a study in elegance, with orange and blue dominating the color palette. Are you visiting with your little one? If so, choose the Prestige Family Guest Room. It sleeps three and includes a comfy child’s bed. The hotel’s amenities leave nothing to be desired. Indulge in organic selections at the breakfast buffet in the dining room. And should you need to see to business matters, you can use the hotel’s helpful secretary service.
Clarance Hotel Lille
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An elegant 18th-century mansion amid manicured gardens is the setting for the Clarance Hotel Lille. Boasting poetry-inspired rooms filled with natural light, it’s one of the best hotels in Lille, France. Of course, they also offer modern perks like satellite TV and coffee machines. Breakfast and other meals served in the restaurant are show-stoppers, too. They’re made with fresh produce harvested straight from the garden.
Set in Vieux Lille, this 5-star hotel is a short walk from a number of attractions. The 13th-century Sainte-Catherine, Lille’s oldest church, for example, is a few steps away. You can also hire a bike from the hotel and explore landmarks located a bit farther.
Best Western Premier Why Hotel
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Contemporary elegance is the name of the game at the 4-star Best Western Premier Why Hotel. The rooms, done in muted colors, feature parquet flooring. Drinks are within easy reach at the minibar and coffee machine. Park your iPod on the docking station as you listen to your playlist, or catch the latest show on cable TV.
In the morning, you can have breakfast in your room while reading the paper. Or, you could have it in the communal lounge. Afterward, get to exploring surrounding attractions in the city center. The 15th-century Rihour Palace, for example is within walking distance. After a day of sightseeing, you can grab a drink from the bar and relax on the hotel’s furnished terrace.
L’Esplanade Lille
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Staying at the L’Esplanade Lille is somewhat akin to staying in an art gallery. Contemporary art by both emerging and confirmed artists adorn this B&B’s walls. Likewise, the rooms and suites are visual pleasures with their vibrant colors. If you’re planning on doing your own cooking, book one of the suites. Each one comes with its own kitchenette.
You can also have breakfast in the main lounge room. With its high ceilings and large windows overlooking the esplanade, it’s a serene place to start the day. Set in the historic city center, L’Esplanade Lille is a great base for a French holiday. The Lille Zoo is within walking distance, as is the lush Vauban Garden.
Hotel L’Arbre Voyageur – BW Premier Collection – LILLE
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Part of the Best Western Premier Collection, Hotel L’Arbre Voyageur is a 4-star property in the Vieux Lille district. Each room and suite boasts individual décor and amenities to suit different occupants. The Family Room, for instance, can sleep up to four people. And with two large-screen TVs with international channels, there’s enough entertainment for everyone.
Breakfast and other sumptuous meals await at Ma Reine and Le Jane, the hotel’s restaurants. To sample local beers or your favorite cocktail, head to the cozy bar. And should you need some last-minute souvenirs, don’t panic. The hotel’s shop offers a selection of wonderful items. Plus, there’s a pop-up grocery every morning where you can buy fine pastries and wines.
Hôtel Barrière Lille
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Covering a vast expanse in the city center, Hôtel Barrière Lille is almost a destination all on its own. Hence, it’s no surprise that it’s among the best hotels in Lille, France. Behind its striking glass facade lies a host of entertainment options. At the large theater, you can catch a concert, a one-man show, and other performances staged here regularly. Feel like taking your chances with Lady Luck? You can do so at the two-floor casino. And when it comes to drinking and dining, take your pick from the hotel’s multiple restaurants and bars.
The spacious rooms and suites epitomize contemporary elegance. Enjoy panoramic views of the city or Dondaines Park courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows and prepare for the day in the dressing room. And if you’d prefer even more space, the Junior and Superior Suites can accommodate you. Aside from boasting king-size beds, they also provide separate lounge or living areas. Plus, the huge bathtubs make taking bubble baths extra pleasurable.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Lille:
- Chez Max – Grab lunch or dinner at this traditional French restaurant in the heart of Lille. You’ll enjoy delicious, seasonal dishes created from the freshest ingredients.
- Estaminet Au Vieux De La Vieille – Savor traditional Flemish dishes like Carbonade Flamandes, a delicious stew. Their crème brûlée is another smash hit. Located in Old Town, this restaurant-café is easily reachable from some of the best hotels in Lille, France.
- La Capsule Lille – Sample some of the best draft and bottled beers from French, Belgian, and other European craft breweries. You can pair them with sausages or cheese.
Recommended Activities In Lille:
- Vieux Lille 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour – Pack a pair of comfy walking shoes for a lengthy stroll along the Old City’s cobbled streets. Your local guide will share stories about the area’s heritage. Among the sights you’ll see are the Opera House and the Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral.
- Nausicaá, National Sea Center Full Day Entrance Ticket – Skip the line when you visit Europe’s largest public aquarium! Marvel at the thousands of animals sheltered here, from manta rays to sea lions to penguins.
- Braderie De Lille – Europe’s largest and most famous flea market takes place in Lille every first week of September. This event, originating in the 12th century, attracts millions of visitors. Hone your haggling skills and find the best deals on antiques, toys, books, and many other items offered by thousands of sellers.
