Eklo Lille: France's Hottest New Hotel? You HAVE to See This!
Eklo Lille: France’s Hottest New Hotel? Hold My Baguette… Let's Dive In! (SEO-Rich, Rambling Review)
Okay, so, Eklo Lille. France's "hottest new hotel." The hype train was chugging along, and honestly? I was skeptical. I’ve seen “hot” before. Mostly, it’s been lukewarm disappointment with a fancy price tag. But, after battling the Eurostar, surviving the Lille metro (a concrete jungle, but functional!), and finally, finally checking in, I’ve got some thoughts. And they're kinda all over the place, so bear with me. This isn't your average travel blog fluff-piece. This is real talk.
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First Impressions: The Cool Kids' Club (Maybe?)
The lobby has a serious "Instagram-ready" vibe. Exposed brick, minimal furniture, a massive mural… It looked cool. The check-in was… well, let's just say "contactless" doesn't necessarily equal "efficient." There was a bit of a queue, and the young woman was… maybe a little too cool? Not exactly brimming with warmth. (A minor quibble, but first impressions matter, right?) But hey, the elevator worked, and it was all uphill from there (literally, given my room was on a high floor).
Getting Around & Accessibility – The Serious Stuff (and Some Sarcasm)
Okay, accessibility is crucial. I'm not personally using a wheelchair, but I'm always looking for hotels that are genuinely inclusive. Eklo Lille? Ticks a lot of boxes.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yep! Lifts are spacious, ramps are in all the right places. The public areas seemed well-designed for mobility. They've clearly thought about this, which is a huge win.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: I didn’t get to experience it firsthand, but the information was readily available, and every indication was that provision for accessible rooms was available.
- Elevator: Absolutely! And thankfully didn't get stuck. Always a bonus.
- Air conditioning in public area: Checked.
Now, for the minor gripes… the location. It's a slightly… industrial area. Not the prettiest walk. But hey, it’s Lille. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you can get around easily.
Rooms: Modern Comfort, with a Few Weird Quirks
My room was… fine. Modern. Clean. The free Wi-Fi worked perfectly (thank you, Eklo!).
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, 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.
- Extra Perks: Free bottled water (always a plus!), a fantastic shower (pressure was ace!), and blackout curtains (saviour when battling jet lag!).
- Weird Quirk Alert: No mini bar in my room. A bit odd, given the "modern" vibe. But at least there’s a convenience store downstairs.
- Cleanliness & Safety:
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes sir!
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I asked, and they assured me.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be in action.
- Hand sanitizer, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup: All present and accounted for.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie in Me Was… Confused.
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The food situation is a bit of a… mixed bag.
- Restaurants & Bars: There’s a restaurant, and a bar, both with a very casual, "hang-out" feel.
- Breakfast (Buffet): It was… adequate. International cuisine in restaurant. Western breakfast. I'd consider it a continental breakfast with some added items. Standard fare. Nothing to write home about. Buffet-style, so expect the usual chaos around the pastries.
- Dinner: I went for the A la carte in restaurant, and again, it was OK. Not what you'd call a culinary experience. They do, however, have a damn good salad and vegetarian options.
- Snack Bar: There's a snack bar which is really awesome, and also a coffee shop.
The Chill Zone: Pool, Spa, and… Well, Relaxing?
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! The outdoor pool with a view is a major selling point! Imagine sunbathing with a cocktail in hand?
- Spa/sauna: A spa? A sauna? They claim to have them, but I didn’t actually use them. My experience was very short.
- Fitness center/Gym: Available for those, like myself, who want to feel guilty for not using them.
The Extras: Services and Conveniences – Did They Think of Everything?
- Concierge: Available, but I found the staff to be a little busy at times.
- Convenience Store: Super handy! Great for late-night snacks (and, you know, mini-bar replacements).
- Cash withdrawal: Found nearby.
- Laundry service and Dry cleaning: Excellent.
- Luggage storage: Very good.
- Doorman: Yes, available!
- Pets allowed: Unavailable.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Available.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly: Yes! Kids facilities are available.
- Babysitting service: Available;
- Kids meal: Available.
The Dealbreaker: That Bloody Pool With a View
Look, I’m a sucker for a rooftop pool. And Eklo Lille has one. With a view. And it was… glorious. It was cool, it was stunning, it was the perfect place to end the day. I could feel the tension from my travels melt away. The views made me think of the beauty of Life.
Cleanliness and safety
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes;
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes;
- First aid kit: Yes;
- Hand sanitizer: Yes;
- Hygiene certification: Yes;
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes;
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Yes;
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes;
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Yes;
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes;
- Safe dining setup: Yes;
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes;
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes
Overall: Hype, Reality, and My Take
So, is Eklo Lille France's Hottest New Hotel? Well, not quite. It's not perfect. It's got some rough edges. But it's also a solid, stylish choice. The accessibility is a massive plus. The pool? That’s a winner. The price point is reasonable.
My Score: 7.5/10. Definitely recommended, especially if you're a pool-lover.
Now for the sales pitch:
Escape to Lille & Dive into Paradise! Eklo Lille Awaits!
Tired of the same old boring hotel routine? Craving something different? Then pack your bags, because Eklo Lille is calling!
Here’s what awaits you:
- Rooftop pool with a view that will blow your mind! (Seriously, you need to see this.)
- Stylish rooms: The perfect blend of comfort and modern design (with blackout curtains for those lazy mornings!).
- Easy Access: Designed with everyone in mind, ensuring comfort and convenience for all guests, including wheelchair accessibility.
- Delicious dining: A fantastic salad, a great coffee and snacks!
- Prime Location: Explore the heart of Lille, with easy access to the city's best attractions (and the train station)
- Modern Amenities: Enjoy peace of mind with free Wi-Fi, and other modern conveniences!
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is… my itinerary. My attempt to tame the wild beast that is travel, specifically in Lille, France, with a basecamp at that eco-conscious haven, Eklo Hotels. Prepare for rambles, anxieties, and the triumphant smell of croissants. Let's get this show on the road.
Eklo Hotels Lille: My Lille Adventure (and potentially, my breakdown)
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Unknown and the Quest for Decent Coffee
13:00 – Arrival at Lille-Europe Station (Praying I don't get lost): Okay, first hurdle. The train was… fine. Delayed by about 15 minutes, which sent my anxiety levels spiking faster than the price of a baguette. I'm already picturing myself, luggage-laden and weeping, failing to navigate the cobblestone streets. (Note to self: Learn basic French phrases before arriving. “Where’s the toilet?” is not a substitute for “Excuse me, where is the best Patisserie?”).
13:30 – Check-in at Eklo Hotels Lille (Fingers Crossed for a Clean Room and a View of Something Besides a Brick Wall): The reviews said it was eco-friendly and stylish. I'm hoping "stylish" translates to "comfortable" and not "a minimalist's nightmare where the only furniture is a repurposed pallet." My room better have a decent shower. I need to wash off the train-induced grime.
14:30 – The Espresso Apocalypse (or the hunt for caffeine): First priority? Coffee. My internal monologue is already screaming. "Must. Find. Espresso. Now. Before. I. Eat. My. Luggage." Eklo's got breakfast, but I need a proper jolt, a shot of pure, liquid energy. I'm envisioning a café, hopefully with outdoor seating, so I can feel a little less like a tourist and a little more like a Parisian (even though I'm nowhere near Paris). (Rambling Thoughts: This is probably where I fall apart. I’m a terrible wanderer. I’ll probably end up wandering in circles, grumbling in broken French, and accidentally ordering a coffee with hot milk. Dear God, no.)
16:00 – Exploring Vieux Lille (The Old Town) (Praying for Charm and Not Being Mugged): Okay, time to be a tourist. I’m hoping the charming architecture lives up to the hype, and that the cobblestones don't break my ankles. Rumour has it, the Grand Place is amazing, and I'm definitely aiming for a look at the Vieille Bourse (The Old Stock Exchange). I’m especially looking forward to the bookstores. I may or may not buy a small mountain of books I absolutely don’t need. Emotional State: cautiously optimistic. I really, really hope I don’t get mugged. (And even more than that, not be tricked into buying some weird, touristy souvenir.)
18:00 – Dinner at a Bistro (Praying for something edible): Authentic French cuisine is the goal, but I get very peckish when I travel. I'm going to play it safe. Duck confit and fries are my friends, and I won't be shy.
- Anecdote and Imperfection: Last time I tried to order something exotic in France, the waiter brought me a plate of…something…covered in snails. It was horrific. This time, I'm sticking with what I know, and trying not to make eye contact with anything that resembles a mollusk.
- Quirky Observation: French waiters are… a breed apart. They’re like elegant cats. They observe everything, and they serve you when they deem it necessary. I'm preparing myself for the potential of being ignored for a solid 20 minutes, while they judge my choice of wine.
20:00 – Evening stroll or a quiet drink (Praying I don't fall asleep standing up): Depending on whether or not my jetlag bites, I'll either attempt a gentle walk around the illuminated streets or collapse into a bar with a glass of wine. The "being up until 2AM" is a habit, and I'm afraid of falling into a coma.
Day 2: Art, Chocolate, and Potential Meltdown
09:00 – Breakfast at Eklo (Praying the coffee is at least mediocre): Hopefully, I'll wake up in the morning. The breakfast reviews seemed promising. However, the coffee is essential.
10:00 – Visiting the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Praying for a sense of wonder): Art museums are hit or miss for me. I'm a sucker for the impressionists, (Monet, Van Gogh, give me everything) but I get bored fast. I'll aim to go through at a reasonable pace. (opinionated): I'm mostly going to look for a painting that I can understand. Otherwise, the museum is just a lot of art.
12:30 – Lunch in a local restaurant nearby.
14:00 - Chocolate tour: Lille seems to have a decent reputation for being rich in chocolate. It's supposed to be amazing. I'll start with a walk through some shops.
- Doubling down on a single experience: Okay, I want this to be a good experience. I'll buy everything. The chocolate truffles, the macarons, the decadent chocolates. I'm going to buy everything so I can make a judgment.
- Emotional reaction: The chocolate shop was a revelation. I bought everything I could. The truffles, the macarons, the chocolate bars. It was a sensory overload. Everything was so good. I didn't care about the price.
16:00 – Wander through the Gardens (Praying for some sanity): After the sugar rush, a calming garden is essential. I need to re-balance myself.
18:00 – Return to Eklo for a chill dinner
Day 3: Market Mayhem and Farewell (Praying it All Goes Over)
- 09:00 – Last breakfast at Eklo (Praying I don't have to pack): Ugh. Packing. The bane of my existence.
- 10:00 – Market Visit (Praying I don’t overspend): I love markets, but they’re dangerous. I'm going to try to limit myself to one souvenir, and not fall for any "bargains" that end up being overpriced tourist traps.
- 12:00 – Last look around: One final stroll, a goodbye kiss to Lille.
- 14:00 - Departure: The train. The airport. The…reality. Time to go!
Things I'm really hoping for:
- To not embarrass myself too badly with my pitiful French.
- To actually enjoy myself, and not spend the entire time worrying.
- To find a really good croissant.
- To not get lost. (Seriously, this is a big one).
- To come home with more than just a suitcase full of laundry. (And maybe, just maybe, a few extra pounds from all that chocolate).
This itinerary is probably going to be chaos. It's messy. It's honest. It's…me. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.
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Okay, So... Eklo Lille: What's The Big Deal?! Is It REALLY "Hottest New Hotel"?
The Rooms: Are They Actually Livable, Or Just Instagrammable?
Tell Me About The Food! Is It Just Another Hotel Breakfast Buffet Disaster?
What Makes Eklo Lille "Hot" in The First Place? What's The Vibe?
Okay, But Are There Any Downsides? Be Honest!
Let's Talk Location: Is It Actually Convenient?
Okay, Back to That "Sustainable Design" Thing. Is It Just Marketing?
Final Verdict: Would You Recommend Eklo Lille?
