I've to make my decision on whether choosing Best Western Hotel Des Balances, Best Western ArtDeco Hotel Montana, or Seehotel Kastanienbaum for my 2-day stay in Lucerne. Anyone know these hotels? Any comments? Thanks in advance.

Stephanie,<BR>The Hotel Des Balances is in a wonderful, central location in the old town. The Seehotel, while it has a wonderful view, is in Kastanienbaum which is about 15-20 minutes outside of Luzern. If you have a car, that would be OK, but the bus only runs every hour. I would vote for the Hotel Des Balances. The restaurant, Rotes Gatter, is excellent and the location can't be beat. Rooms are also nice. You will be in the middle of the action.<BR>have fun.<BR>

I agree with the previous poster. I loved staying at the Hotel Des Balances. The breakfast is served either in an elegant dining room or sometimes on the terrace from which one can see the swans, the church spires, etc. My room faced the back plaza which has a beautiful mural. If you are traveling by train, the station is an easy walk from the hotel. The front desk was very helpful when I asked about boat trips, hiking trails, etc. <BR><BR>Karen

Stephanie,<BR><BR>I concur with the two previous posters: I really like the Hotel Des Balances. I was lucky enough to get a room (#204, I believe) that overlooks the river and the Jesuit church on the opposite shore. It was just magical.<BR><BR>I do have to add, though, that I was there in Nov. One poster mentioned staying at the hotel in the summer -- without ac -- and complained about the noise from the pedestrian traffic below.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR><BR>s <BR><BR>s

Des Balances definitely! Very nice hotel, great location and friendly staff. Will be staying there again next month but made sure I got a room with a river view this time.

What is the web site of Des Balances? What would be the approximate rate in 1st week of June.

I agree - des balances - overooking the river. There's a great wine bar/ restaurant on the opposite river bank - Opus.<BR>www.balances.ch

Is this hotel on the lake? If not, Im surprised it isn't very noisy. Hotels near the trainstation (bahnhof) tend to get all the noise of the train cars coupling and uncoupling all night.<BR><BR>I hate Luzern (tacky), but when I was there I stayed at the Palace Hotel, which is right on the lake and very serene.<BR><BR>I would also recommend the Grand and the Schwietzerhof (sp?). I had meals at both and they seemed like very nice hotels.<BR><BR>Why anyone would want to stay in Luzurn is beyond me. YUK!

I recommend the Montana. This is a gorgeous hotel and it is quite high on the hill above the Palace Hotel with a spectacular view of the lake and the mountains. In fact, if you are able to sang a corner room on a higher floor, you may be able to see most of the city from there! The lake view rooms have a balcony, which has awnings that you can operate electrically. If you like Art Deco, ask for an art deco room. They are spectacular. And the bathrooms are huge! Otherwise, the classic rooms are quite nice. the standard rooms are quite small and disappointing, so be sure to ask for a superior room or go for a Jr. suite. the restaurant there is quite good. They have a terrace restaurant which is open for breakfast and lunch. There is also a nice bar with live music. We really enjoyed our stay there. Oh, I almost forgot. If you are walking, you get to the lobby by a funicular elevator from the street behind the Palace hotel. I have to say that I have also been the Des Balances, and it's very nice. But the Old Town can be quite busy and noisy, and while there is a view of the river from there, there is no view of the lake like you have at Montana.

To answer the question about the noisiness of Des Balances, it is on the river, not the lake, but across the river and up a couple of blocks from the train station, so there is absolutely no noise from the trains. In addition, the "street" between the river and the hotel is pedestrian, so there is no traffic there. We have stayed twice at Des Alpes a few doors down from Des Balances. We requested and got a room with private balcony facing the river and the mountains which was wonderful. Des Alpes is a nice little hotel, although the rooms will not win any awards for decor (unless you are into the brown and orange 1970's look)and not as upscale or as pricey as Des Balances. I think you can't go wrong with Des Balances. Personally I'd prefer its location and "business" compared to the Montana or Palace, but that's just a personal preference.

We always stay at the Hotel Gutsch in Luzern. Its the place up on the hill overlooking the town that looks like a palace. The outside may be corny, but the place is a dream. Be sure to request one of the rooms with the view of the town.