The Mediterranean Insider

Lille, France

The 5 best boutique and luxury hotels in Lille, France

The Mediterranean • Stay • The 5 best boutique and luxury hotels in Lille, France

Lille’s most chic boutique hotels

Lille, set in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, is a city built on layers – part Flemish, part French, always changing with the seasons. It’s a place where cobbled lanes meet contemporary galleries, where café terraces fill up no matter the weather and where design doesn’t shout but quietly impresses. The hotel scene follows suit. There’s a growing collection of boutique stays and smaller luxury addresses that reflect the city’s mix of old and new – not just in their architecture, but in their attitude. Here are our favourite hotels for discovering Lille in style. If you’re looking for somewhere with a strong sense of place – and plenty of personality – these are the ones worth checking into.

Top photography courtesy of Clarance Hotel

Overview: Lille’s top boutique and luxury hotels

01 Clarance Hotel

02 Mama Shelter

03 L’Hermitage Gantois

04 Moxy Lille City

05 Hôtel l’Arbre Voyageur

Clarance Hotel

Clarance Hotel feels more like a private residence than a hotel. Set in an 18th-century townhouse in the heart of Old Lille, it’s got that quiet poise you only find in places that have lived a few lives. The interiors are pared-back and elegant, with original mouldings, creaky floors and contemporary furniture that doesn’t try too hard. Our favourite spot? The leafy courtyard that offers a rare slice of calm in the middle of the city. We also adore the intimate library, where you can get lost for hours. Clarance Hotel is also home to La Table du Clarance, a Michelin‑level restaurant led since February 2023 by Chef Alexandre Miquel.

Clarance Hotel
32 Rue de la Barre
Lille
France

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Photography courtesy of Clarance Hotel

Mama Shelter

If you like a hotel with a bit of mischief, Mama Shelter is for you. This one is right near Lille’s train station and leans into its personality with bright colours, graphic murals and a lobby that doubles as a playground for grown-ups. Rooms are compact but cleverly put together, with blackout curtains, cartoon masks and tongue-in-cheek touches wherever you look. Downstairs, the lively restaurant doubles as a local meeting spot, serving crowd-pleasing comfort food and cocktails late into the night. There’s a rooftop terrace that opens in the warmer months, offering casual drinks and a different angle on the city. It’s not for anyone seeking understated luxury, but if you’re looking for a hotel with personality and comfort, Mama Shelter is impossible to ignore.

Mama Shelter
97 Pl. Saint-Hubert
Lille
France

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Photography courtesy of Mama Shelter

L’Hermitage Gantois

This place has stories to tell. Housed in a 15th-century hospice, L’Hermitage Gantois is one of Lille’s most atmospheric stays, full of original brickwork, courtyards and dramatic archways. The restoration has been sensitive – historic features are still intact, but the rooms are updated with plush bedding, modern bathrooms and warm lighting. There’s an atmospheric spa set beneath vaulted stone ceilings and an indoor pool that glows softly after dark. If you love a spot with atmosphere, the glass-roofed bar is a favourite for an early evening drink, while the restaurant covers all the French classics. There’s a gentle hush here that makes it easy to switch off from city noise – a real sanctuary in the heart of Lille.

L’Hermitage Gantois
224 Rue Pierre Mauroy
Lille
France

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Photography courtesy of L’Hermitage Gantois

Moxy Lille City

If you are after something more playful, Moxy Lille City should be on your list. Moxy Lille City has turned a former university building into a playful city crash pad. The building is an Art Deco gem, but inside you’ll find graphic artwork, neon signs and a sociable buzz that hits you as soon as you walk in. Rooms are functional but fresh – expect platform beds, industrial-style lighting and clever use of space. Downstairs, the communal area feels more like a café-bar than a lobby, with long tables for laptops, board games and the occasional live DJ. You can grab drinks or snacks anytime and there’s a buzz to the place that never really dips. It’s located just a few minutes from République Beaux-Arts, which means you’ve got easy access to both the old town and the art scene. If you’re travelling light, moving fast and want your hotel to feel like a low-key hangout, this is an easy pick.

Moxy Lille City
Rue Jean Bart
Lille
France

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Photography courtesy of Moxy Lille City

Hôtel l’Arbre Voyageur

Hôtel l’Arbre Voyageur offers a refreshing, eco-conscious take on city luxury, set between the Old Town and the Eurostar. The living wall in the lobby is just the start – there’s a green ethos running through everything, from the organic breakfast to refillable bath products. The rooms are full of personality – velvet chairs, graphic wallpaper, colourful art – and no two look quite the same. Some have quirky details like circular beds or hidden bathtubs. There are two dining options downstairs – Ma Reine is where you go for contemporary French food, while Jane is more casual and globally inspired. There is also a beautiful green courtyard that’s ideal for slow mornings or a glass of wine in the afternoon. You’re right in the city centre, close to boutiques, museums and late-night cafés, but there’s enough happening inside the hotel that you don’t need to leave unless you want to.