Willem46

My wife and I will be gone to Switzerland at the end of May. We will use Luzern as our base for travling within the country.

Can any one suggest a good 3 or 4 star hotel near the main train station. Hauptbahnhof). I expect to pay about $160-$180 per night.

I get ever concerned about the comments on the Hotel sites.

Thanks,

Christina

I loved the Hotel Schiller in Lucerne and it's only a couple short blocks from the train station. It's a 4* hotel and very nice. There were some negative comments about it on tripadvisor also (mainly about noise, I think, from some downstairs bar), so I was leery but it was great when I was there. Kind of odd -- like people complained how noisy it was from this bar, and I did get a room in an adjacent building that was not right over that bar, but that bar was pretty quiet. Also, some said the rooms were small or not nice, and I thought they were amazing. ONe of the largest rooms I've ever had in Europe.

go figure.

bettyk

We have stayed at the lovely 4* Des Balances Hotel on two occasions. However, with the weaker dollar, their double rooms are now running over $300 in May. Not in your budget or mine anymore. Many people here like the 3* Des Alpes Hotel. It is on the same side of the river as the train station.

http://www.desalpes-luzern.ch/index.cfm?Page=H01

Unfortunately, it might be hard to find a 4* hotel within your budget, but maybe others here will have some good suggestions.

Christina

I didn't pay over $200 for a room at the Hotel Schiller (which was a single, I admit -- although it was really a double room and they have good rates for singles occupying doubles), but the dollar has dropped since last year, that's true. Their double rooms are now 320 CHF in May which is $287, wow.

That was a 4* hotel and pretty nice, but your budget may not get you that now, I agree. Lucerne is an expensive city for hotels, I was surprised myself on that. I guess because it is a big resort city.

Willem46

If it is like Germany some of the small towns nearby can offer a greater savings. I will have a Euro Rail Pass so the trasportation cost won't matter. I have also checked Zurich and that seems more reasonable. I guess that is due to it being a weekend and Zurich is more known for its business climate.

The Euro is a far cry from its inception of .87 Euro's/$

I guess I should not worry as I am getting a free flight with air miles.

TX for all the responses.

Travelnut

You can look at these...

220chf = $200 US

Hotel Waldstatterhof -
- Standard rooms 220-240chf
Located at the Bahnhoff
http://www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch/


Hotel Schiff - Unter der Egg 8, Lucerne 6004
- Double/shower 190chf
- Double/bath/shower 250chf
Located on the river; walkable from Bahnhof (400m or so)
http://www.hotel-schiff-luzern.ch/

NH Luzern - Friedenstrasse 8, Lucerne 6004
- Standard room 195chf
- Superior room 215chf
Located near the glacier garden and the "lion"
(not walkable from Bahnhoff)
http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...nh-luzern.html

sebinah

How about Des Alpes. It is only a 5 minute walk to the train station and is on the river in the old town.

Travelnut

http://www.desalpes-luzern.ch/
I checked May 25-31 for all the above hotels I listed, and des Alpes - came in at 250chf which is higher than any of the others.

JN

With the exchange rate now 1.10 chf per dollar, you won't get many Luzern 3* or 4* in your price range. The Des Alpes has "city side" rooms (no Pilatus view) that come close to your price range for around 195chf/nt double. Likewise, the Schiff has city side rooms for around that price (less on Orbitz). I've stayed at both, but only in the more expensive Pilatus view rooms. I like the Des Alpes better, but can't comment on the city side rooms.

georgiegirl

If you want to stay near the train station and want 3-4 stars hotel, you need to up your budget to at least $250 per night. Luzern is very expensive, however, good place as a base. I don't know how many days you plan to stay there. We were there last September for 4 days, staying at hotel des Alpes. We were happy with the hotel. We ate in their restaurant 3 times because the food was so good.

Willem46

I have reconciles to spend about $250-300. We will be there for 3 days. I have already seen Geneva, Zurich & Zug. Since my wife has not seen Zurich I will spend a 1/2 day there. We thought about Lugano. I sugested to my wife that she pick 5 or six places and then rank them, This way we can stay flexible and change if there is any weather problems, heavy rain.

Your suggestings on where to go would be appreciated.

Thanks,

clelbong

I just booked a room at hotel des alpes yesterday through their website for 201 Francs (2 nights-402 francs) for a double room and breakfast included. That is roughly 180/night. This for the beginning of April, not sure if April or May make a big difference.

Good Luck

Jean

At your new budget level, I highly recommend the Hotel Wilden-Mann ($250-280). It's on the same side of the river as the train station in a quiet location. Our room there a couple of years ago was one of the nicest we've had in Europe. Amazing breakfast.

www.wilden-mann.ch

Jean

Darn. I had checked their rates for April and then re-read your original post. Rates are beyond your budget in May. Sorry!

JN

If you can go up to $250, book River view rooms at either the Des Alpes (ask for a balcony room onf 4th or 5th floor -- 5 or 6 in American parlance) or the Schiff. You will not regret it. Orbitz from time to time seems to offer Schiff rooms for less than the hotel website.

Willem46

Thank you all for your comments, they were quite helpful. I have just booked the Des Alpes for three days in May.

GW

JN

You'll love Luzern and enjoy the view from your room. Don't let the rather austere front desk person put you off. Say a few words in german, complement her on the hotel upgrades and breakfast and she might even smile. The restaurant, BTW, is terrific (fondue, mixed salad, geschnetzeltes (strogonoff) are great. The service there is pleasant, too. Especially inside, where it isn't as hectic as the outside seating.

Willem46

JN

Vielen Dank

luvtotravel

Des Alpes is a good choice, although keep in mind that they do not have air conditioning, or at least our room didn't. A back facing room might be quieter so you could keep your windows open, but the view of the lake and bridge is lovely.

Here is a link to my journal and photos from my visit there in 2006

http://travelswithdiane.homestead.co...2006Page1.html

sunstar

The person who mentioned the Des Alpes is spot on with their recommendations. It is just across the bridge, over the river and with first left turn where the covered bridge is located, the Des Alpes is just down from there. Great location in my opinion!