Step into the Roaring Twenties: Luxury Awaits at Hotel Gatsby, Chassieu!
Step into the Roaring Twenties: Hotel Gatsby - Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Flapper Era (and the Wi-Fi!)
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from Hotel Gatsby in Chassieu, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Forget your sterile, corporate hotels. This place leans into the whole Roaring Twenties vibe, and let me tell you, it's a commitment. Think: jazz music wafting through the air (sometimes a little too wafty, especially when trying to navigate the… um… unique water pressure in the shower), Art Deco everything, and a staff that's almost as glamorous as a flapper with a feather boa.
First Impressions (and a Few Minor Hiccups):
Pulling up, I was immediately hit with the grandeur. The building itself is gorgeous, and the valet parking (thank goodness, because Chassieu doesn't exactly scream "easy parking") was a smooth operation. (Car park [on-site], Valet parking) The lobby? Swoon-worthy. Chandeliers, plush velvet seating, the whole shebang. Now, I'm not going to lie, my first thought was, "Uh oh, this is going to be expensive." But hey, a girl can dream, right? (Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange)
Then came the check-in. It was… efficient. (Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Front desk [24-hour], 24-hour Security) The staff were lovely, but it felt a little… robotic? Understandable, maybe, given the potential for tourists. I did appreciate the contactless check-in/out option given the… you know… the whole pandemic thing. (Contactless check-in/out, Hygiene certification, Hand sanitizer) They also had a little problem with the elevator – one time I had to climb 10 floors for some reason. (Elevator)
Rooms: Gatsby-Glam or "Needs a Little TLC"?
My room was… well, let's call it charming. Think: rich, dark wood, a ridiculously comfortable bed (Extra long bed), and a black-out curtain setup that would make a vampire jealous. (Blackout curtains, Non-smoking rooms) The bathroom was a mix of gorgeous fixtures and… let's just say, the water pressure situation could use some work. (Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
The Wi-Fi, the Hero of My Stay:
Okay, this is where Hotel Gatsby truly shined. (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi in public areas) Listen, I’m a travel blogger. I need the internet. So, the fact that the Wi-Fi was blazing fast and free in my room? Pure joy. Plus, they offered LAN too, which is a godsend for the older techies. (Internet access – LAN) I spent hours working in my room, streaming movies, and generally living my best digital life, and I experienced zero issues. Praise be!
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Food-Related Adventures):
The dining experience at the Gatsby is… well, it's an experience. There’s a buffet, which is a godsend after a long day of travel (Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant), and the food is actually pretty decent. (Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant) The breakfast was a good start, and I appreciated the options for… international cuisine. (Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant)
The a la carte restaurant… let's just say the service was a tad slow. (A la carte in restaurant, Room service [24-hour], Alternative meal arrangement) And the salad I ordered… well, it wasn’t exactly the freshest thing I’ve ever eaten. (Bottle of water) Sometimes the service was fast, but other times it was, let’s say, leisurely. (Bar, Coffee shop, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant) The staff trained in the safety protocol. (Staff trained in safety protocol, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items) It made me laugh, but I appreciated that. (Safe dining setup, Individual-wrapped food options)
Relaxation and Rejuvenation (or, Where I Spent Most of My Time):
This is where Hotel Gatsby truly shines. The pool with a view? (Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], Swimming pool) Unbelievable. Picture this: lounging on a chaise lounge, sipping a cocktail (the poolside bar is a must!), and gazing out at the breathtaking landscape. The spa? (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom) Divine. I’m a sucker for a good massage, and the one I got was… transformative. I also gave the sauna and steam room a whirl. (Couple's room)
Safety First (and Second, and Third):
Hotel Gatsby takes safety seriously, and that's a huge plus. There’s 24-hour security, CCTV cameras, and fire extinguishers dotted about. (CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms) They also had things like first aid kits and a doctor/nurse on call (Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit).
For the Kids? (Maybe Not Entirely Roaring Twenties Approved)
They have a few kid-friendly options, like babysitting services (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids meal). I saw one or two families with kids, so it’s certainly possible, but I feel like the whole experience is geared more towards adults.
Things to Do (Besides Admire the Decor and Drink Cocktails):
Chassieu itself is a lovely little town, and Hotel Gatsby is well-situated for exploring. They offer airport transfers, and taxi service. (Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service)
Accessibility:
The hotel is generally accessible. The elevators have wheelchair access, and the hotel is built around accessibility. (Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator)
The Honest Verdict:
Hotel Gatsby isn't perfect. The service can be a little hit-or-miss, and some aspects of the room could use a bit of an upgrade. But the overall experience? Glorious. It's a hotel that commits to its theme, and that's what makes it truly special. (Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Indoor venue for special events, Wi-Fi for special events, Meetings, Seminars) The internet is phenomenal, the pool is a dream, and the spa is worth every penny. (Business facilities, Meeting stationery, Proposal spot, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace) If you're looking for a unique, luxurious, and slightly quirky getaway, Hotel Gatsby is a solid choice. The staff spoke English a lot, but they also spoke French. (Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, On-site event hosting, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Service and conveniences, Xerox/fax in business center)
AND NOW, FOR THE BIG SELL (BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO GO!):
Tired of the same old boring hotel stays? Yearning for a taste of glamour, luxury, and non-stop Wi-Fi?
Then Step into the Roaring Twenties at Hotel Gatsby!
Book your stay now and experience:
- Breathtaking Art Deco atmosphere that'll transport you back in time.
- Luxurious rooms with that incredible, free and reliable Wi-Fi. (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless)**
- A pool that will make you say "Oh, you fabulous thing!"
- A spa experience that will leave you feeling like a million bucks.
- Delicious cocktails and dining options. Though the salad? Maybe skip that.
- Safety measures that will leave you feeling secure and relaxed. **(Safety/security feature,
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get a raw, unfiltered look at my attempt to conquer the Hotel Gatsby by HappyCulture in Chassieu, France. This ain't gonna be a polished brochure, trust me. This is the real, occasionally-slobbery, me-being-me, travel log.
Day 1: Arrival, Exhaustion, and a Questionable Croissant
- 6:00 AM - The Pre-Dawn Panic: Ugh, the airport. Need coffee. So much coffee. I'm pretty sure I saw a small child offer their teddy bear a cup of airline coffee. Not judging, kid. I get it.
- 7:30 AM - Flight Meltdown (Mild): The seatbelt situation… always a struggle. Why are airplane seatbelts so offensively short? And the guy next to me is clearly manspreading. Justice for my leg space!
- 12:00 PM - Lyons Landing & Rental Car Roulette: Lyon! It’s like…a real city! Except, holy moly, France is a different driving experience. "Gentle suggestions" about lane changes? More like "may the best driver win!" The rental car guy had a deadpan expression that suggested he'd seen it all, which probably included a lot of lost tourists.
- 2:00 PM - Gatsby Giddy-Up (Eventually): Finally, the Hotel Gatsby. It's not quite what I expected… maybe a bit more… well worn? But the lobby is…gold. So much gold. It’s like Liberace vomited on the decor. I'm already picturing myself in a velvet smoking jacket.
- 3:00 PM - Room… Success?: The room is…fine. Cleanish. The bed looks comfy, which is all that matters after the travel torture. The view? Meh. But I don’t need a view! I need to conk out.
- 3:30 PM - The Croissant Catastrophe: Okay, I'm starving. Found a "bakery" down the street. The croissant…let's just say it didn't exactly melt in my mouth. It was more like a rock covered in butter. I'm already plotting my revenge on French baked goods.
- 4:00 PM to Bed Time -Nap City: Slept until I woke up, it felt amazing, It's never too late for a nap.
Day 2: Chassieu Exploration, And Regret
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Blues (And Bread Regret): Back at the Gatsby. Breakfast is…basic. Instant coffee, sad-looking pastries, and the usual. I swear I saw the chef give me a look that said "What did you expect? We're in Chassieu!"
- 9:00 AM - Chassieu Meandering: Okay, so Chassieu. A suburb. Very…suburban. I had grand visions of hidden cafes. What I found was a lot of roundabouts, and a strange-looking dog.
- 11:00 AM - Exploring Lyon: Decided, "to hecc with this" lets go to Lyon. Oh wow, the city! It’s a proper city! Beautiful buildings, charming cafes, all the things Chassieu lacked.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch of Glory: Found a little bistro. Chicken and potatoes. Simple, perfect, and the waiter actually smiled at me. I may have shed a tear of joy.
- 2:00 PM - The "Lost in Translation" Tour: I tried to order a taxi. Did I get the name of the place wrong? Did I utter something that offended the driver? I ended up walking 25 minutes.
- 6:00 PM - Hotel "Relaxation": Back at the Gatsby. I tried to sit by the pool. It was packed with like 20 people and a kid who was screaming. Decided to try the bar, I've heard stories about the drinks, I've heard the whispers of its magnificence… Lets give it a shot, right?
- 6:30 PM - Gatsby's Bar… Let's just say… a disappointment: The bartender seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else, the cocktail was made with "enthusiasm" or so he said, there were no fancy glasses or little umbrellas… Just a cold drink, and I drank it, alone in my room.
Day 3: A New Hope (And a Slightly Better Croissant)
- 9:00 AM - Croissant Redemption? Another bakery try! This time, the pastry gods smiled upon me! It wasn't perfect. It was edible. Success!
- 10:00 AM - Final Lyon Expedition: One last shot. I decided to try the park. Peaceful is the word that describes the experience, it was like a balm after the previous day.
- 12:00 PM - Gastronomical Glory (Part Deux): Spotted a Michelin-starred restaurant online, and let my impulses get the best of me. I got lost, I was late, and the food was out of this world.
- 3:00 PM - Back to Gatsby… with a new attitude: Okay, the Gatsby is…what it is. But I’m here. I'm fed. I'm (mostly) happy. Maybe gold is growing on me.
- 4:00 PM - The Ultimate Truth: Packing my bags: I'm not even going to try to lie now. I am so ready to go home, and I miss my bed.
Overall Verdict:
The Hotel Gatsby? Flawed, quirky, and a bit overwhelming at times. Chassieu? A study in suburban ennui. But then there was Lyon, and the food and my moment of utter happiness at the park. It's a trip, I wouldn't change it, not one bit.
Casa Babette Florence: Your Dream Tuscan Escape Awaits!
Okay, spill the beans! Is the Hotel Gatsby REALLY as glamorous as it looks in the pictures?
What about the rooms? Are they REALLY "luxury"?
Tell me about the food! Is it as amazing as they claim? Because, you know, hype is often a lie...
What about the jazz club? Is it worth it? I hear the drinks are pricey…
Is the Hotel Gatsby good for a romantic getaway?
Are there any "hidden fees" or unexpected costs I should be aware of?
So, overall... would you recommend the Hotel Gatsby?
