We’re back with Jean-Luc Mathias again – he’s the owner of the Collège Hotel in the centre of Lyon (qv) and former proprietor of its near neighbour, the 4* Cour des Loges. His latest venture is as unusual and individual as his earlier projects but l’Ermitage has a trump card: a spectacular location at the top of Mont Cindre some 15 minutes from the centre of the city. The accommodations have wall to wall windows to take advantage of the sensational views.
A serene calm reigns, inspired by Mathias’ insistence that here the pace will be slower, here there is time to ponder ...and to dream. Instead of a balcony, most rooms have a little Japanese-style garden; and a swivel chair from which to admire those views. Bare concrete – inspired by cells from the nearby 14th century hermitage – is adorned only with huge plasma TVs.
A young Lyonnaise, Audrey de Pouilly, is the talented chef in the restaurant (called Cuisine-à-manger) and there is also an informal rotisserie, Le Tube. The swimming pool can be used year-round – it’s half indoors and half out.
Monsieur Mathias’ concept hotels have a Zen-inspired single-mindedness. There’s a view that they look at their best only when empty - as if the presence of guests spoils everything. Whatever, the sheer guts and originality are welcome aberrations from the norm. Bravo.