Hotels in Luzern, Switzerland
 

Hello,
My husband and I will be in Luzern for three nights in the beginning of October, 2006. I have been looking for hotels. I see that they are quite a bit more expensive then the ones I have found in Germany for the beginning of our trip.
Does anyone have any recommendations? I am willing to pay little more for these three nights (around $200). A couple hotels that I have looked at so far:

Waldstaetterhof
http://www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch/index.html

Des Balances Hotel (this one is little out of my budget though!)
http://www.balances.ch/

If anyone has any suggestions or advice, I'd be very greatful!

Hi travelchic,

A lot of folks here like Des Alpes, which is right next to Des Balances and is a bit cheaper.

Hope it works!

s

Check for the Hotel Flora. It's more modern than the hotels you mentioned but it's about a half-block from the covered bridge.

Talk with the hotel and make a deal. All of these places in Lucern will wheel and deal. The Swizterhof (spelling ?) is another place which deals. This is a five star hotel and it's worth checking. It's the top level in Lucern.

I stayed at both of these hotels and never paid high prices. Give it a try.

Blackduff

Hi travelchic,
My husband and I are staying at the Hotel Wilden Mann for our upcoming trip to Luzern in August. It's a bit pricey but as blackduff stated, you may be able to talk them down in price, which I plan on trying to do. They gave us a rate of 335CH per night for 3 nights.

I never thought of trying to deal with the hotel. This is something you would do before booking, I presume. I will be staying mid-week, so I guess I could try and ask for a special rate based on that.
Any advice for asking for special rates? Are hotels in Switzerland known for dealing?

Travelchic
Before you call the hotel(s), do a bit of backsearch. Think about you and your husband. Military and ex military people get special prices in Switzerland. Affiliation with travel groups might give you a discount.

Sit down and try to find ways you should get a discount. This method works. Find any credit cards which you use. See they give discounts for travel. Most of them give some discounts. Plan on attacking the lobby manager for a deep discount price.

Remember that the smaller hotels have not enough margin to give bigger deductions.

Another thought is that being part of a group normally will give you a discount. Become part of a group, when you tell the hotel manager.

October will be slow for this time so discounts should be available.

Be positive.

Blackduff

I've stayed at Des Alpes several times. It's nothing particularly special as a hotel, but nice enough. If you can get them to guarantee you one of the upper floor rooms with the balcony facing the bridge and Pilatus, go for it. It is one of the most delightful spots in all of Luzern --sitting on that balcony I mean (although October will require sweaters at least).

We're staying at this one as it's within walking distance of the train station and is central: http://touristhotel.ch/English/English_index.htm I did it through email and they were ver nice and prompt. You can have a private bathroom as well.
SOM

I've stayed at both the Flora which is a Best Western property and the Des Balances, the latter in a riverfront room.

The Flora is fine and within easy walking distance of everything including the RR station; not a lot of interior decoration "charm" however and it is popular with tour groups.

The riverfront rooms in the Des Balances are very nice but you'll obviously pay more for the view.

Either one of these and several of the others mentioned are in excellent locations.

The restaurant in the Des Balances has wonderful food and service IMO.

Don't forget to feed the swans.

intrepid
If you put your toes in the water, the swans will bite them. Trust me on this.

Blackduff

travelchic,

I stayed at the Waldstaetterhof hotel, and I'd recommend it. I was in Lucerne back in February for 3 nights. I reserved a single for $108/night, US dollars, and when I got there they upgraded me to a superior double for the same price.

I really liked the hotel & the room. The location was great, it was about 1.5 blocks away from the main train station, so very convenient, it took me a few minutes to walk to the hotel with my luggage in tow.
Also, it's near everything, train station, boat docks, old town, etc., so you guys can walk everywhere. I found it to be a great walking town, and also, felt very safe walking around at night also.

The room was very clean, comfortable bed, flat screen tv, nice bathroom(only had shower though, which was Ok with me). The room was pretty spacious, not a suite, but hey, you and your husband will most likely be in the room to sleeo at nights anyway. But it's big enough so that you don't feel confined in there.

The hotel also has a computer set up next to the front desk which you can use to get on the internet. The rooms themselves does not have an internet connection. There's also an Internet Cafe about 2 blocks away.

I'll definitely stay at the hotel again when I go back, hopefully soon.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions about the hotel or Lucerne and have a great trip. Only 6 months to go, eh? ;-)

Thanks, javayankee, get information. I am definitely considering staying at the Waldstaetterhof. I think you've answered all the questions I have now, thanks a bunch!

I have a question regarding the Waldstatterhof hotel for you, javayankee, if you happen to read this post again!
I've read that the hotel is across the street from McDonalds?!?!? and it is a noisy street? Can you confirm or deny any of this?
Thanks!

There are two McDonalds in Lucern. One is situated on a pedestrian street and the other McDo is right across of the railroad station.

It could be heaven or it could be hell!

Google the maps for where your hotel is shown.

Blackduff

Here's the map for the hotel. It's right behind the McDonalds near the train station. This is a very street and the McDo is pretty busy too.

Even though it's close to the station and the McDo, most of the hotels will not be bothered with the noise.

It's still a good location.

Blackduff

http://www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch/...hotel/wo.html#

Sorry, I need to note this too.

Blackduff

travelchic,

I'd say don't worry about either.

There's a McDonalds along the same side of the street the hotel is on, about a block away towards the train station. So, if you were walking towards the hotel from the train station, you'd pass the McDonalds first. Close enough to get a quick fix if you get a craving for some fries(after 2 weeks in Europe, I definitely did), but far enough so that it shouldn't be any issue, in terms of noise or crowd.

Well, I had a room facing the back and it was very quiet. The hotel front faces a busy road, but it's a very quiet street, at least when I was there, so I'd think that even if you get a room facing the front, I doubt that you'd have problem with noise. I was there from Sat to Tues, and the street on the hotel front was quiet in the evenings and also during the day, even with more car traffic, etc. Then again, I was usually out of the hotel all day, as you & your husband probably will be, so even if there's any noise during the day, it shouldn't be an issue anyway.

Also, did I mention that the Tourist Info center is on the street level right next to the train station. They were very helpful with my questions about things to do, lots of tips, suggestions and advice not found in typical guide books, etc. They also sell tickets to some attractions, I got a nice discount on tickets(boat\train) to Mt Rigi, so ask them lots of questions.

Hope this helps.
Post more Q's if you got 'em. I'm sure either myself or others on this board can answer them. I got lots of help before when I was planning my trip.

I often go to Luzern to visit family but rarely stay in hotels except for Des Balance a long time ago. I remember the great view of the river & church when the big window is opened, but unfortunately they eliminated the old swiss charm when they remodeled the bedrooms with colored formica built-in furniture. You can't beat the gentrified old town square. As far as Hotel Des Alpes, I used to go to the loud bars/restaurants below the hotel till the early hours with a group of local students, so I can't imagine the noise level.

I have personally checked several hotel bedrooms in Luzern for my staff. Both Hotel FLORA & WALDSTAETTERHOF have no view to speak of and are on the train station side of the river, but Waldstaetterhof offers more old world charm (though quite simple) than Flora, plus the rooms have balconies. The simple restaurant in Waldstaetterhof is a simple but nice swiss eating place with very reasonable prices though I don't know how good the food is. The nearby McDonald was known to be the biggest (multilevel) McDonald in Switzerland in terms of sale, yet it's not as obnoxious looking as you would imagine. The supermarket in train station across the street also comes handy after the other stores are closed.

Thank you everyone, great information.
I am trying to decide if I want to splurge a little bit and stay in the Des Balances. I think it would be nice to have a room with a view, to enjoy in the morning and evening. From what've learned from everyone here, I can't go wrong with either choice.
Thanks again, I'll let you know what I decide!

I usually book directly through the hotel's website or via email with someone at the hotel. But, I checked expedia and got a much better rate at Des Balances, also otel.com, I got an even better rate (around $240 for a river view double). Obvisously, millions of people use these site to book travel, I feel a little uneasy though. Does anyone have any thoughts? The rates through these sites are much lower! Can I rest assure that my reservation will be as stated (double room, river view, etc...)? Thoughts from anyone one who regularly books through expedia or otel, or other sites?
Thanks!

travelchic,
I booked my room thru Expedia as they had offered a lower rate than thru the hotel website. I've used Expedia on numerous other occasions and have had no problem so far. The hotels so far have honored whatever reservation I had, and as mentioned before Hotel Waldstaetterhof even upgraded my room last time even though I had a cheaper rate thru Expedia.

One thought on rooms with view. Well, unless the room rates are only slightly higher, I don't think it's worth paying a lot more for a room with a "view". Because most of the time you'll be out of your room, eating meals outside, etc., so I found it other than the first time we go to the room and say "ahhhhh...", we rarely just sit there & enjoy the view out the window\balcony.

I rather get a room without a view at a cheaper rate and use the money for other things during the trip. Even though the dollar is stronger than the swiss franc, depending on what you guys do and where you eat, you'll be surprised at how fast $$$ add up.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on that subject.

I hope I didn't talk you out of Waldstaetterhof which I think is just fine. Having said that, Des Balance does have a better service with a more formally uniformed staff and better interior (except for the formica in the bedroom I saw). I have to say that the view is more of a great bonus rather than a premium/must have (don't want to set up your expectation too high in case you're paying a hefty premium). It's probably stuck on my mind because I was a teenager on my first visit to Lucerne at the time. They removed the charming old wooden slat windows when I returned to research the hotel room so it no longer has the same effect. Staying in oldtown will add a lot to your stay.

If you want a great view and lower price than the Des Balances, consider the Des Alpes or Hotel Schiff. These hotels are more modest, but have the same awesome views. Des Alpes updates one floor every year. The paint, bathrooms, fixtures etc. are much improved over a decade ago and give you the same awesome view as the Des Balances at generally 50%-60% of the price.

I agree with JN, in terms of view. You get a similar view from both Schiff & Des Alpes as well. The only downside of Des Alpes is the tiny bedrooms which are more like a basic hostel facility with mini balconies.

The biggest advantage of the 4 star Des Balance is the absence of bars & cafe terraces below the rooms, so you don't have to put up with the loud noise & drunks at night.

I plan to go back to Lucerne either in August or September. Is the atmosphere different during the typical "tourist" season, such as during the summer, in terms of loud noise & drunks in the streets?

I was there during February, so I wonder if it was quiet & peaceful because I was there during the off-season. Since many seem to make references to noise and I found it to be quiet when I was there.

In the warmer months restaurants set up tables outside and bars (like Mr. Pickwick Bar) become indoor outdoor bars. I've only been to Lucerne in the warmer months between April and October. I'm guessing you were there for the Fasching celebration in February.

Dax, no, I was in Germany on a business trip for 2 weeks and afterwards, since I've never been to Switzerland, I took a few days off and went there.
I missed the Fasching celebration, I think it started a couple of weeks after I left.
I definitely want to go back during the warmer months and experience the outdoor cafe society, hiking, etc.

We went to Switzerland a couple of years ago and on the advise of someone on the web we stayed at Hotel Gotthard in Weggis. You can Google to find their website. It was WONDERFUL!!
Instead of staying right in Lucerne, we were told to get one of the ferrys that go from the dock directly across the street from the the train station. We were on a Eurail pass and so we were in first class up in a beautiful lounge. Instead of paying high Luceren rates, we were treated to a wonderful 1/2 hour cruise up lake Luceren. At the 3rd stop we got off in Weggis and walked the short 2 blocks to our hotel. They would have come to wheeled rooler luggage and enjoyed the walk. The next day we took the morning boat back into Lucerne (with the working people)and enjoyed the day, then back to Weggis for another restful night. The town of Weggis (pronounced Veh kees) was quaint and hung on the side of the mountain, right on the lake. It was peaceful, and had hydranges and roses blooming everywhere. It is known as the city of roses. We were even treated an outdoor concert by the local volunteer band. Swan were swimming in the lake just under our balcony.....we had 3 balconies and a lovely modern room. The bathroom was extrememly modern in white with bright blue accents. They had a wonderful lakeside outdoor restaurant where we had our first meal of 3 kinds of fondue. Breakfast was served on the second floor in a sunny room. The staff is wonderful, and they even got on the computer to see if we had any relatives in Switzerland since our name was common there. I hightly recommend it. I think the website is www.gotthard-weggis.ch but if not, you can find it easily enough. I hope you consider it because it was such a nice retreat from the honking horns, bus fumes and noise of Lucerne.

We're spending 2 days in Luzern area and staying in Weggis at the SeeHotel Gotthard. Glad to hear the good review. We decided against staying in Luzern because we will have a car and understand parking would be a challenge. ((b))

Geckolips and Budman, that's a great place. The owners couldn't have been nicer. We arrived there by boat (without car) and they were so apologetic beforehand because due to a big parade in town that day, they wouldn't be able to come pick us up at the dock. We thought it was going to be a big thing, but it was only a 5 or 10 minute walk to the hotel, picking our way through the crowd.

Having dinner out by the water in their casual little restaurant is a special treat. The owner does the grilling.

That's actually a great idea. I usually stay in Stansstad (staying with family) which is another small resort town facing the dramatic Pilatus and two lakes (Lake Saarnen & Lake Lucerne). We tend to drive (15-20 minute) into Lucerne rather than taking the ferry for practical reasons (a lot faster & don't have to depend on the ferry schedule). We park under the Grand Hotel National or in the front of the train station/cultural center. There is a famous 5 star hilltop resort above Stansstad called Buergenstock (as low as $200 a night)with gorgeous view and pool/spa. They often hold meetings among various heads of states from all over the world. It's a great way to enjoy the lake, but most tourists complain when their hotel is not in Luzern.

Topping for stonewallgrey.