Has anyone stayed at the Castle Hotel - Chateau Guetsch in Lucerne. Going for our anniversary and want it to be special. If so, appreciate any info....if you've stayed at another location and highly recommend please let me know. Also planning to spend a few days in Interlaken.. ..recommendations?? especially hotels and restaurants. Thanks!!

We had reservations at Chateau Guetsch one time and I was really looking forward to the stay. Place looks good and has wonderful views. Unfortunately they overbooked and rebooked us into their other property, the Carlton. Ok but nothing special. I have to admit I've always been annoyed at their screw up. Not sure I'd trust them with a special anniversary.

I have not heard anything good about the Castle Guetsch. A lovely property in Lucerne is the Montana, with a fantastic view of the lake and the mountains from your balcony. It has a terrific restaurant, as well. Of course, the premier property in that area is the Park Hotel Vitznau, if you are up for a splurge!

Chateau Guetsch is a great place for lunch. Fantastic view but we especially enjoyed the food & service. It's too steep & far from Lucerne old town.<BR> I like our stay at Hotel Des Balances in an old town square & riverfront between two bridges. Our room had a view of the baroque church across the narrow river. The balconied restaurant overlooks the famous Kapellbridge. <BR> I've also stayed at Hotel Schweizerhof, a nice grand hotel at the edge of old town practically lakefront. To me it's important to be close to old town & near the water to capture the feeling of Lucerne. <BR> Another great place to eat is The Old Swiss House for ambiance & a truly special Wienerschnitzel. They come to your table with a cart and make it right in front of you. It's just south of the lion monument.

Hello Pat,<BR><BR>Congratulations on your anniversary!<BR><BR>I'm writing to confirm Greg's suggestion of Des Balances in Luzern (www.balances.ch). I also had a room overlooking the river & the Jesuit church opposite -- I really enjoyed watching the ducks & swans feeding at the steps of the church. I thought the hotel's restaurant was fabulous, too, and loved eating at the large windows (it was Nov, so the terrace was closed). I do have to mention, though, that some folks at this forum have stayed here in the summer and complained about the noise from the street coming through the open window.<BR><BR>Another hotel that many posters here like is the Wilden Mann, a member of the Romantik group. Unfortunately, this hotel doesn't have a view of the river or the lake.<BR><BR>I'd also like to suggest that you consider staying outside of Luzern -- in the lakeside towns of Vitznau, Brunnen, or Weggis. In fact, I'm planning to stay in Weggis for my next trip in Sep. The advantage is that the lakefront hotels are cheaper, so you can get more hotel and stupendous views for your money. Another advantage is that you'll spend your holiday in more of a country setting than in the city of Luzern. The disadvantage is that it will take more time and train/bus/ferry changes to get here. I think Vitznau is on the main rail line, but for Weggis & Brunnen, you'll have to take the ferry, or a bus or taxi. Of course, on a romantic trip, this is a good thing!<BR><BR>For the Interlaken portion of your trip, I'd also suggest you get away from the crowds & the city. Have you thought about staying in Wengen, Muerren, (car-free villages) or in Grindelwald? They are all on major train routes and are only about 20-30 minutes from Interlaken. They are right in the mountains and will surround you with the kind of alpine and chalet ambiance that we associate with Switzerland.<BR><BR>For your further information, here are the websites: www.brunnen.ch, www.vitznau.ch, www.weggis.ch, www.wengen.com, www.muerren.ch, & www.grindelwald.com. You can check rail times & connections at www.rail.ch<BR><BR>Have a good time!<BR><BR>s