With a hotel there's no need to ask for the heating or look after the pool: you just go down for a swim. In Auvergne and the Rhône Valley, warm water ranges from the thermal baths of Vichy to the spas of the Alpine lakes and heated gîtes in the south. Here are the 21 hotels I've selected in Auvergne and the Rhône Valley, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Château de Codignat, L'Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-Manger and L'Impérial Palace.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
21 places shown
The pool. Voyage Privé advertises a heated outdoor pool in the château grounds.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: ask about the opening period before you book.
The pool. Panoramic indoor-outdoor pool, at an altitude of about 600 m, according to Staycation. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The view is the highlight: ask for a room on the valley side.
The pool. Glass-roofed aquatic area with a sauna, according to Staycation. Expedia shows a modern indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Expedia shows 9.2/10 from 1,003 reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask about the opening hours of the aquatic area, which is shared with spa customers.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool in fine weather and a bubble bath, with access to the 1,700 m² evianSPA, according to Staycation.
The hot tub. Bubble bath in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool only opens in fine weather: the rest of the time, rely on the indoor pool.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool, open from 8 am to 10 pm, and a thermal spa with a whirlpool bath, according to Expedia. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Whirlpool bath in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. One guest found the pool closed without warning; another mentions that spa access was charged.
Guide's tip. Check whether spa access is included in your rate or charged by the day.
The pool. Expedia lists an indoor pool and a spa on site; a photo shows a pool under a glass roof. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Small hotel: ask about the pool and spa opening hours before you arrive.
The pool. Staycation describes an indoor pool, with a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the wellness area.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the wellness area is open access or by reservation.
The pool. Staycation advertises a heated pool at the Spa Quatre Terres, described elsewhere as covered, and a jacuzzi at 35 °C.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi at 35 °C in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The jacuzzi is listed at 35 °C: a good option after a swim in Lake Geneva.
The pool. Indoor pool in the Nuxe spa, with a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi, according to Staycation. Kayak and Expedia also mention the indoor pool. A specialist blog says it is heated, without further details.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Kayak shows 8.9/10 from 2,296 reviews.
Guide's tip. Spa access may be time-limited depending on the offer: check what your rate includes.
The pool. Bright indoor pool, hammam and sauna, according to Staycation. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Handy by car, away from the centre: allow for the journey if you're visiting Lyon.
The pool. Staycation advertises a heated indoor pool and a Sothys spa. A specialist blog talks of a large heated indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. If you'd like a Sothys treatment, book it at the same time as your room.
The pool. Staycation describes a heated pool facing the lake. Neither the opening period nor the temperature is given.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. Kayak advertises a heated open-air pool with a sun terrace. The opening season isn't given.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: if you're coming late in the season, ask how long it stays open.
The pool. Staycation advertises a 25 m heated outdoor pool, plus a jacuzzi and hammam in the spa.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is open-air: ask about its opening period before you book.
The pool. Staycation describes an indoor pool with a lake view, saunas and a hammam. Expedia, for its part, talks of a seasonal outdoor pool: the two sources don't match.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The sources contradict each other on the type of pool: ask the hotel to clarify whether it's covered and heated.
The pool. Large heated pool with a view of the forest, jacuzzi and hammam in a 900 m² spa, according to Staycation.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the pool is covered or open-air.
The pool. Staycation advertises access to a heated pool set up in a former shepherd's hut. The type of pool and the period aren't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. The Expedia listing shows a large indoor pool set against a natural rock wall. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Only the listing photo shows the pool: get confirmation that it's open on your dates.
The pool. Vaulted indoor pool in a 350 m² spa inspired by Roman baths, with a hammam, according to Staycation. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool is intimate: ask for the quietest time slots.
The pool. Indoor pool heated to 30 °C year-round and an outdoor pool in summer, with a 1,500 m² spa, according to Staycation.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. One guest was unable to use the pool during their stay. Kayak shows 8.0/10 from 2,494 reviews.
Guide's tip. When booking, ask whether the pool and hammam will be open on your dates.
The pool. Accor advertises a heated indoor pool and a fitness room; Staycation also mentions the indoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Accor shows 4.5/5.
Guide's tip. This is the most affordable city-centre address with a covered pool: book early for weekends.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Greco-Roman spa with a pool, sauna, hammam and whirlpool bath, according to Staycation. The type of pool and its heating aren't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. If you plan to swim, ask whether the spa pool is heated.
The hot tub. Expedia mentions a whirlpool bath and a sauna; a photo shows a jacuzzi under a glass roof.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the jacuzzi is open access or by reservation.
The hot tub. Outdoor jacuzzi in the summer season, hammam and sauna, according to Staycation. No heated pool is mentioned.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor jacuzzi is only open in summer: check your dates.
The hot tub. Staycation offers one hour of access to the jacuzzi and spa. No heated pool is mentioned.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Jacuzzi access is limited to one hour in the Staycation offer: book your slot when you arrive.
The hot tub. Spa with treatments and a whirlpool bath, according to Expedia and Ebookers. No pool is mentioned.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Here the warm water means the spa: book treatments in advance.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool and whirlpool bath, according to Kayak. Pool heating isn't specified; Kayak also mentions hot pools in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For warm water, rely on the spa and its whirlpool bath rather than the outdoor pool.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Château de Codignat (Hotel), with 4.5/5 (over 190 reviews · Google (relayé par Voyage Privé)). Next come L'Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-Manger (8.9/10) and L'Impérial Palace (8.8/10).
None of the places selected in Auvergne and the Rhône Valley clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. L'Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-Manger, L'Impérial Palace and Hôtel Royal Evian Resort have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 30 °C at Hôtel Evian-les-Bains by Leonardo Hotels (ex-Hilton). For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Hôtel Royal Evian Resort, Célestins Spa Thermal & Hôtel and Hôtel La Cachette also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort, Hôtel Beauregard, The Originals Relais and Hôtel Princesse Flore.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hôtel Mercure Annecy Sud · Lake Annecy | Pool listed by Kayak | 7,8/10 | Rating too low (Kayak) |
| Hôtel Les Muses · Lake Annecy | Indoor pool and sauna according to Expedia | 7,9/10 | Rating too low (Kayak) |
| Abbaye de Talloires · Lake Annecy | Outdoor pool according to Expedia | 9,7/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Alizé · Évian and Lake Geneva | Seasonal outdoor pool | 8,8/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Evian Les Terrasses du Lac, Ascend Collection · Évian and Lake Geneva | Seasonal outdoor pool and sauna | 8,2/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Le Panorama · Auvergne | Indoor pool, water found nice and warm by travellers | 7,4/10 | Rating too low (Expedia) |
| Sowell Hotels Ardèche · Ardèche | Seasonal outdoor pool at the Domaine du Rouret | 7,8/10 | Rating too low (Orbitz) |
| Sowell Family Le Vallon · Ardèche | Outdoor pool | 8,2/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Hôtel Villa Alexandre · Lyon and the Beaujolais | Outdoor pool and sauna | 9,7/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Novotel Lyon Bron Meeting & Events · Lyon and the Beaujolais | Outdoor pool | 4,2/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Hôtel Mercure Villefranche-sur-Saône · Lyon and the Beaujolais | Rooftop pool, from June to September | 4,0/5 | Heating not confirmed |
Sources: Kayak (liste), Expedia (liste), Expedia (liste), Gîtes de France, Orbitz, Kayak, Airbnb, Expedia, Staycation, Accor (liste), Airbnb.
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