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!