Hi again,

For Luzern, I liked the 4-star Hotel Des Balances. My room had a view of the Jesuit church across the river, and the ducks that would meet & feed at the bottom of the stairs there. I could see the Kapellbrücke if I leaned out the window. Wonderful location in the old town, and its restaurant was the best of those I sampled in Luzern.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Shall try to incorporate as much as possible.

Great info

I really liked the Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux. It's almost right across from the train station, so very convenient for train travel. Also, the rooms on the lake side can have nice views, and it has a good terrace restaurant/cafe.
http://www.suisse-majestic.com/

When I stayed there, its rates were a bit more reasonable than some other hotels of that caliber and it really had an excellent location for sightseeing and the train (and the lake).

in Lucerne, I stayed in the 4* Renaissance hotel, again, on this trip I really wanted places within walking distance of the train station, and this one fit the bill (it's about 2 blocks). Easy to walk across the bridge to the center of town, also. I arrived by train from Zurich, also, then took the scenic train to Montreux.
http://www.schiller-luzern.ch/

YOu know, I think the Suisse Majestic in Montreux had families and works for that, but now that I think of it, the Renaissance in Lucerne doesn't really have that vibe and not sure it has appropriate rooms. But I might be wrong, it's one of those weird hotels where the bathroom is visible from the bedroom, also (meaning glass walls). That is one design trend that totally baffles me, no matter who is staying in the room.

The OP is long back from their May trip to Switzerland.

OP is probably not on Fodor's now but if so it would be nice to geta report on how it went.