We will be staying in Lausanne for two nights this fall (unless I decide to stay in Vevey instead). Can anyone recommend any small hotels or B&B's? I'm thinking about Hotel Regina or in Vevey the Guest House Le Charlot. We go on from Lausanne by train to Basel.
We don't have much time in Lausanne or Vevey but plan on taking a ferry one way to see the Chateaux de Chillon and maybe the train up to Gruyeres then the return trip the train back. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Sue,
You might also have a look at Hotel Elite in Lausanne. It's in a very convenient location close to the train station.
Posted by
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
Another vote for hotel Elite. Very well located and in a quiet street.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
I only have one thing to add...
Both towns are beautiful but very different for walking.
Lausanne has very steep streets that go up to the old part of the city from the lake.
Vevey is completely flat and easier for walking.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I stayed at the Regina and would happily do so again. I have never stayed elsewhere in Lausanne or Vevey, so I have no basis for comparison.
Note that the Regina was one of several places in Switzerland where I could not get the room I needed on their website booking tool. However, e-mailing not only got me the desired room, but also a discount by telling them I found it in Rick Steves Switzerland. So if you do want that hotel, e-mail them directly for the best room selection and prices.
Posted by
Nor cal
86 posts
We stayed in a larger hotel than what you want so can't help you there. On the sights front: The ferry to Chillon is a great idea. Castle is wonderful. If you like to walk , walk the lakeside path about 2 miles to Montreaux. Really delightful. Cafes line the waterfront in the town. Then take the train back to Lausanne. I didn't like Gruyere at all. I love cute small towns but it is not really a town. It's one street, more like a movie set which indeed it was for a Bollywood movie the day we were there. It was a long train trip back and forth for not much..
Lausanne has the excellent Olympics museum and very interesting Brut museum which displays art by untrained artists, generally recluses, mental patients or just off-beat people with information about them as well as the art.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
make sure you watch Rick's TV episode on Lausaunne (either on your friendly PBS station or via Amazon or iTunes).
[Edited: or on this site: http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show. Laura]