Hi all! Wondering if anyone has had a good experience with any hotels or B&B's in Lucerne? We are taking an August tour with RS, but hoping to go a day or two early. Ordinarily we would want to stay for the extra time at Hotel des Alpes, where we will be staying on the tour, but the price they have presented us (260 CH/night) is very high, and we would love to save a little bit (and get air conditioning just in case it might help with sleep--something that des Alpes doesn't offer) if we could. Because we are Club Carlson members, it looks like the Radisson Blu right next to the RR station might be a much cheaper option, with A/C, and just across the river from Hotel des Alpes when we move over there for the tour. Don't know how noisy it might be? What we save over at the Radisson would buy meals for our entire extra time in Lucerne! But we know there is a huge amount of experience and expertise on the forum and thought we might ask: does anyone have any other recommendations for sleeping in Lucerne relatively cheaply, and relatively close to Hotel des Alpes? If the place has A/C it would be an added bonus! Always nice to have A/C just in case one needs it...and for some white noise to block out street sounds. Thanks!
Mike
Posted by
Florida
1450 posts
I enjoyed this B&B. It's quiet and in a good location. 120 for a double, but no AC and no elevator.
Posted by
Switzerland
408 posts
If the price is right and a/c is important to you, I would go for the Radisson Blu. It is on a fairly quiet side street and set back from the main tracks leading into the station, so I don't think noise should be a huge issue. I used to live on the other side of the Lucerne station and never had any problems with train noise (the church bells were another story!). Just keep in mind that although it looks very central, it will be a 10-15 minute walk to get to "old town" (where des Alpes is) because you have to go around the train station. It's a flat and nice walk, but just fyi!
As for alternatives, it depends a bit on what class of hotel you are looking for. Lucerne is expensive, especially in the summer, and the price Hotel des Alpes gave you is fairly standard for that quality level. You could also have a look at rates for the Hotel Astoria or Hotel Flora, both of which are 4-star category like Radisson, centrally located and have a/c. Both on a busy main road, but closer to restaurants, shops and the 'old town' than Radisson. They may have good specials this far out, so worth a look to see how it compares to Radisson for you.
The B&B mentioned by the other poster is very nice and a good value, a bit outside of downtown - but very accessible with bus or if you don't mind walking (ca 15 mins). And as mentioned, no a/c.
Any other specific questions, let me know, as I am very familiar with Lucerne!
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
The Renaissance by Marriott is a great location. Close to the lake and the train station.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
I normally stay at the same hotel as the tour, but CHF260 per night does seem to be a bit pricey. If you don't mind changing hotels, you could have a look at Hotel Stern. The rooms are very comfortable, and it's in a great location only about a 10 minute walk to the station.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Hi Mike, I'd stay at the Radisson. The RR station is just over the bridge from the Hotel des Alpes, about a 5 min walk. I don't think it would be any noisier than any other hotel you might find in the area.
We did the Switzerland tour in September 2016 and enjoyed it very much, hope you will too!
Posted by
USA
311 posts
We stayed at the European chain, Ibis Budget Luzern city on Kellerstrasse 6. On the other side of the river from the train station, but right across the street from a bus stop, so easy access to everywhere. It was clean and basic, but we just needed a place to rest our heads and have a private bath. The reasonable price of 100 euros/night for a triple helped us budget for other pricier hotels during our visit to Switzerland. It is no frills, but we had no complaints.