CitizenM Gare de Lyon

One-minute check-in, always fast and free Wi-Fi, and extra-large beds — this is the CitizenM promise. In case you aren’t familiar with the name, CitizenM is a Dutch hospitality chain that has added five Paris hotels to its portfolio in the last fifteen years, all in desirable and convenient locations: La Défense, Gare de Lyon, Champs-Elysées, Opéra, and Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

This fast-growing hotel group is focused on affordable luxury and top-notch interior design, with a modern vibe that suits the “mobile citizen” concept that inspired their brand philosophy. 

CitizenM Gare de Lyon is a fine example of the chain’s dedication to offer everything today’s travelers might want and nothing they don’t need. You could call it a no-frills hotel, with rooms on the smaller side and pod-style bathrooms located in the room itself.

There are some valuable frills, though.

The bed is immense, with good-quality sheets and a very comfortable mattress. The shower area, although somewhat tight, guarantees great water pressure and fluffy towels.

You get to pick from two different shampoo/body wash versions, depending on the mood and the time of the day: one is called CitizenM AM and it has a fresh, awakening scent; the other, CitizenM PM, is sultry and sexy. 

When you choose your room, it’s worth paying attention. Some face another skyscraper hotel across the road — I wouldn’t recommend them unless you’re here for a quick overnight layover before catching your train from Gare de Lyon the next morning.

If available, choose a room facing the Seine to be rewarded with a lovely view of Paris upon awakening. Eiffel Tower sighting included.

If you don’t get to stay in a room with a view, fear not; you’re only floors away from another fantastic vantage point.

Take the elevator up to CloudM, the hotel’s rooftop bar that offers breathtaking views over the city. A chic atmosphere, on-point cocktails, and a carefully curated playlist will help you make the most of your experience. 

The hotel’s proximity to Gare de Lyon (a mere 3-minute walk) makes it ideal for a stay before boarding your train to the south of France. If this is your last stop in Paris before taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport, your drive there will take approximately 35 minutes.