rue du Grand-Chene 7 - 9, Lausanne, Switzerland | 41 21 331 31 31
Luxurious historic property in the heart of Lausanne’s Old Town
Elegant rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars, and lake or Old Town views
Luxury suites feature sitting rooms and dining areas
Four restaurants, three bars, and a wine cellar offer top-notch dining
Spa provides men’s/women’s saunas, a cafe, and a hair salon
Indoor heated pool and hot tub on-site
Fitness center includes a Pilates/yoga studio
14 event spaces and a business center
Free Wi-Fi
Dated furnishings in some rooms
Some pillows and bedding feels low quality for this caliber of hotel
No in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities in rooms (only in suites)
The historic 138-room Lausanne Palace & Spa is a luxury Old Town retreat that's a short walk from many of the sights. An array of amenities include four restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star, as well as three bars and an extensive wine cellar. The hotel also has a full-service spa with an indoor pool and a sundry of hydrotherapy rooms including separate women's and men's saunas; plus, there's a hair salon and modern fitness center. A range of rooms and suites feature classic and contemporary decor as well as lovely views over the lake or Old Town. Some, however, have dated furnishings. Travelers might also want to consider the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel, which is situated right on the waterfront and offers luxurious rooms and amenities, though at a higher rate.
Scene
Historic luxury property in Old Town with elegant, contemporary interiors and Old World touches
Built in 1915, Lausanne Palace & Spa blends into the medieval setting of the Old Town and provides a luxurious stay in the heart of a walkable and lively area. The six-floor building is charmingly adorned with wrought-iron balconies, red awnings, and columns supporting the grand entrance that’s lined in red carpeting. Black-and-white designs in the lobby make the Old World architecture feel current. The white front desk features a trendy facade of white pyramid rivets. Ground floor hallways are stylish, with recessed lighting, crown molding, chandeliers, plush furniture, and encased jewelry and designer accessories. The luxurious feel extends to the hotel's restaurants, which are a mix of classically styled spaces with elegant decor, to a more contemporary aesthetic, like in the light and airy Le Côte Jardin, where tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows are complimented by huge cherry red lamps suspended over black and red furnishings.
Location
Located in Lausanne's Old Town, a short walk to many sights and restaurants
The hotel is situated on a fairly busy street lined with shops and restaurants in the Old Town. The prime location is a short walk from several historic sites and museums, including the Lausanne Cathedral (10-minute walk), Musee Historique de Lausanne (eight-minute walk), and the Musée de l'Élysée (15-minute walk). The Lausanne-Ouchy port on Lake Geneva is 15 minutes by bus, and from there travelers can walk to the Olympic Museum and Botanical Garden. Geneva is a 45-minute train ride or about an hour by car. The Geneva International Airport is about a 40-minute drive or an hour via public transportation.
Rooms
Elegant rooms have lovely views of the Old Town or lake.
The hotel offers a range of rooms and suites that vary in decor, from modern and sleek, to more classic styles with traditional furnishings and features that may include decorative fireplaces and balconies. Large windows offer either views of Lake Geneva and the Alps or Old Town and the Lausanne Cathedral. All rooms have work desks, flat-screen TVs, ACs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, plus thoughtful details like fluffy bathrobes and slippers, trouser presses, and umbrellas, though they lack tea- and coffee-making facilities. Suites add coffeemakers, stereos, and sitting areas or living rooms, and some of the larger options have office areas, dining rooms, and added features like whirlpool tubs and private bars. Sleek, marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos and walk-in showers, heated towel racks, bidets, and high-end toiletries.
Features
Four restaurants, three bars, full-service spa, fitness center, and lots of event spaces
The hotel’s Old Town location offers ample dining options nearby, but if guests choose to stay on-site, there are four restaurant choices: the fine-dining, Michelin-starred La Table d’Edgard, the Brasserie du Grand Chene with its Parisian menu, the Cote Jardin serving Mediterranean dishes, and the Palace Sushi Zen offering traditional Japanese cuisine. The extensive wine cellar has a private tasting room and there are also three bars, including a cigar bar and one featuring live performances and a panoramic terrace. The hotel’s luxurious CBE Concept Spa has a heated indoor pool, separate saunas for men and women, a hot tub, men’s ice showers, therapeutic women’s baths, a panoramic terrace, and a spa cafe. The modern fitness center offers cardio equipment, weights, and a Pilates studio. There's also an Aveda hair salon that provides hair styling and cuts, among other treatments. Fourteen event spaces are available and suitable for a variety of functions accommodating up to 450 people. There’s also a business center with a computer and printer, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.