Luxury Lyon Escape: MiHotel Le Gourguillon Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into reviewing… well, let's be vague for a second. Let's just call it "the place." And trust me, after spending what felt like an actual lifetime there, I’ve got OPINIONS. (Cue dramatic music, and maybe someone dramatically adjusting reading glasses.)
First Impressions: Or, "Did I Pack Enough Hand Sanitizer?"
The moment you pull up to the place, you're hit with a whole vibe. Is it a "wow factor" vibe? Sometimes. Mostly it's a "okay, let's gauge the sanitation level IMMEDIATELY" vibe. They've got security everywhere – CCTV cameras practically judging your every move, 24-hour guards looking like they mean business. Good. I like that. Makes me feel… less likely to immediately contract something. Especially with the… ahem… Anti-viral cleaning products being bandied about. My inner germaphobe (who, let's be honest, is pretty much all of me these days) gave a little sigh of relief. They also offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which is interesting. Are you really that confident in your own cleaning abilities? I'm not. Hard pass.
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Okay, let's talk Accessibility. This is where things get a little wonky. While they claim to have Facilities for disabled guests and an Elevator, I didn't see a lot of super in-depth stuff. It definitely wasn't a place I’d say was seamless for someone in a wheelchair, even though they have Wheelchair accessible portions. So, important to double-check your specific needs – I'd be calling ahead and asking specific questions. A bit disappointing, because inclusivity should be a standard, not a "maybe."
The Internet: Bless the Wi-Fi Gods (and the IT Guys)
Alright, the internet. Crucial. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! FINALLY. And it actually worked. Praise be. They also had Internet [LAN] if you're a dinosaur who still uses Ethernet cables (bless you, you retro warrior). Wi-Fi in public areas? Absolutely. I mean, your Instagram stories are safe, and that’s all that matters, right? The world can't fall apart. Don't even get me started on the Internet services – seems pretty standard, but hey, at least it's there.
The Rooms: A Fortress of Comfort (Mostly)
I'll be honest: my room felt like a pretty solid escape. Had Air conditioning that actually worked? Check. Blackout curtains? Double-check. Coffee/tea maker? Triple-check. Because I needed that caffeine to survive. They gave you Free bottled water and Complimentary tea, which, frankly, is the bare minimum, but appreciated nonetheless. Then there are all the other essentials: Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities… You know, the usual suspects. And they took Cleanliness and safety seriously, which is HUGE. They've gone full-on "disinfectant frenzy" – Rooms sanitized between stays, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Daily disinfection in common areas. And hand sanitizer everywhere. I honestly haven't felt this safe in a very long time.
Let's Talk Food (Because, Duh.)
Okay, so, the food situation? Mixed. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. You know the drill: a chaotic, delicious mess. I’m not sure what “Asian breakfast” entailed, but I could not say no to the Western breakfast choices, which were, let's just say, more familiar. The A la carte in restaurant was pretty decent, but I found the pricing a bit steep – though the variety of Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and, of course, the Vegetarian restaurant options made it worth it. They even have a Snack bar and Poolside bar, and I'd say this is where you can really get the experience. Happy hour, a couple of mojitos, and you're in paradise. I will say, the Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver on those days I just wanted to hide in my room with Netflix.
The Relaxing Stuff: Sauna, Spa, and Staring at the Wall
(Okay, full confession, I stared at the wall for a while in the sauna – the Sauna/Spa was AMAZING. I didn’t have a Body scrub, but I did get a Massage that was exactly what I needed. The Steamroom was also a solid choice.) The Pool with view was okay, though it felt a little crowded. But hey, at least it's there! There are also Ways to relax. And a Fitness center, which, honestly, I barely touched, but hey, it exists.
The "Things to Do" Situation: A Few Quirks
Okay, this is where the review gets a little… colorful. They have a Shrine. (???) I’m not judging, I just didn’t expect that. They also boast Meeting/banquet facilities and Seminars, so it's clearly aimed at the business crowd too. I bet I would have loved the Happy hour if I had been doing business with somebody. The Couple's room seemed… interesting, but given my current relationship status, I stayed far away from that. Don't even get me started on the Proposal spot! (I was almost tempted to propose to the wall. The soundproofing was excellent.) For the Kids: While the "Family/child friendly" label is there, there's also the "Babysitting service" and "Kids meal," which means "hey, kids are welcome… in carefully controlled doses."
The Annoyances (Because No Place is Perfect)
Look, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. The Taxi service was… inconsistent. (Pro-tip: Use a ride-sharing app, they’re way cheaper.) The Food delivery options were limited, which was a bummer. And the constant sanitizing felt a bit… over-the-top. Honestly by day three I couldn’t smell anything but disinfectant.
The Bottom Line (My Actual Recommendation)
So, would I go back? Honestly, yes. Despite the quirks and the occasional head-scratcher, the place delivered a pretty solid experience. It's clean (damn clean!), comfortable, and offers enough amenities to keep you busy (or, you know, staring at walls in the sauna). You're getting the best, most sanitized experience you can hope for in the current climate.
My Pitch: Time to Book!
Are you looking for a sanctuary to de-stress, or simply a haven to experience comfort and safety? Book your stay now and experience… the place! You will be amazed by a haven of cleanliness, and, frankly, a pretty decent time. Just make sure you bring your own sense of humor. You'll need it. Seriously. Book now! You deserve a break.
Anggun Arte Mont Kiara: KL's Most Luxurious Hidden Gem?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy, and probably slightly tipsy adventure that was my stay at MiHotel Le Gourguillon in Lyon, France. Forget pristine itineraries and perfectly timed photos – you’re getting the real, unvarnished truth. This is less a schedule, more a mental scrapbook of a trip that both charmed and challenged me in equal measure.
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Brioche Debacle
- Morning (or What Passed for Morning After the Flight): Arrived in Lyon. Jet lag? Oh, honey, it was more like “jet-LAGGED-and-wondering-if-I-accidentally-woke-up-in-Narnia” lag. The taxi driver, bless his heart, spoke zero English, and my French was limited to “Bonjour” and “Merci” (which, let's be honest, only gets you so far). Finding MiHotel was easy: a sleek, minimalist haven tucked away in the old town. The concierge, a woman named Madame Dubois (I think? My memory after a transatlantic flight is a bit hazy), was all smiles and perfect French. I felt instantly intimidated.
- Afternoon: The "Charm" Offensive Begins: Checked into the apartment. Gorgeous. Seriously, the pictures online didn't do it justice. Exposed beams, a ridiculously comfortable bed, and a tiny balcony overlooking a cobblestone street. I literally squealed. Then, the unpacking commenced. A battle against the suitcase. It was like wrestling an angry alligator, but made of clothes.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Brioche, Bourbon & Existential Dread: The first mission? Find a boulangerie. I wandered, utterly lost, down a street that smelled suspiciously like fresh bread (a good sign, I thought!). Saw a bakery, and bought what I ASSUMED was a simple brioche. It turned out to be… a giant brioche the size of my head. I took one bite then, I swear that I started to doubt myself and my life choices. Did I even like brioche? Was I worthy of such a large baked good? Was this the beginning of my Brioche-induced mid-life crisis? I don't know what to make of this brioche other than the fact that it tasted great, but that's not the point. My first meal of the trip was in my room, washing it down with a hefty pour of Bourbon I snuck in my suitcase because I'm classy like that.
- Evening: Exhausted and slightly melancholic after my brioche existential crisis, I did absolutely nothing of any interest. Which, in this context, was fine. I stared out the window, watching the lights twinkle, and feeling utterly, and gloriously, alone with my brioche.
Day 2: The Sausage-y Adventure
- Morning: Attempted to be a responsible human being and bought the smallest brioche available to appease the food gods. Failed. Still, I had the taste for adventure and the city.
- Mid-Morning: The "Fabulous" Food Tour (and the Mystery Sausage): I was booked on a food tour. Lyon is, after all, the gastronomic capital of France. The tour was pretty standard until… WE REACHED THE BUTCHERS SHOP. The guide thrust a piece of, what he told me was "local sausage" into my hand. It was… meaty. Very, very meaty. I stared at it, trying to appear cultured, contemplating whether I could politely decline. I took the bite. It was… amazing! I don't know what it was exactly, but it was one of the best things I've EVER tasted. I bought a bunch and took them back to the hotel and ate them all in the bathtub.
- Afternoon: The "Can't-Find-the-Museum" Fiasco: I had grand plans to hit up the Fine Arts Museum. I got lost. Terribly, utterly, hilariously lost. Walked in circles for an hour. My sense of direction is about as reliable as a politician's promise. Gave up, drank wine instead at a cafe. Wine, a beautiful, salty snack and an hour of watching people go by… not a bad consolation prize.
- Evening: Rooftop Revelations: MiHotel has a rooftop terrace. I went up there with a bottle of Beaujolais, and the city was bathed in the golden twilight. It was a moment. One of those moments where you just think, "Yeah, this is why I travel. This is why I leave my perfectly comfortable bed." Sat there alone for what felt like hours. Beautiful.
Day 3: Farewell, France (and a Promise to Return)
- Morning: Awoke with a sense of deep melancholy. Three days, and already it felt like I'd been gone forever. Did a final, long, luxurious soak in the amazing bathtub at MiHotel.
- Mid-Morning: Check-Out & Sadness: Checked out. Said goodbye (and tried to actually speak more French. Fail). Madame Dubois, bless her, probably thinks I'm a lost cause.
- Afternoon: Off to the airport. The drive was a blur. Did I really experience all of that? Even now, as I'm writing this, it all seems a bit unreal.
- Evening: Back Home. The Brioche is calling.: Back home. Jet lag returned with a vengeance. But I'm left with a whole lot of memories of an amazing time away. I also immediately started researching the best butcher shop to buy the mystery sausage from.
- Overall Impression: MiHotel Le Gourguillon? Spectacular. A perfect base for exploring Lyon. Clean, pretty, and so very 'French'. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I try to learn more French? Well, probably not. But I will be going back for that sausage. And the brioche. And those ridiculously comfortable beds. And the general, messy, beautiful chaos of it all.
Absolutely Bonkers Blah-Blah-Blah FAQs (Because Let's Be Honest, We All Need 'Em)
So, what exactly IS a Blah-Blah-Blah, anyway? Because the name alone is... something.
Is there a specific audience for this... this *thing*?
Okay, okay, but *why* is it called a Blah-Blah-Blah? And what's with all the three's??
What kind of stuff will I actually find when I dive into this Blah-Blah-Blah Thing?
Will there be, like, *actual* actionable advice? Because I'm a little lost, if I'm honest.
Is there a format or structure to this madness, or is it pure, unadulterated chaos?
What inspires you to create this... this *thing*?
