The best hotels in Lausanne
Lausanne has 8,000+ places to stay, but most visitors either overpay for a lake view they barely see or end up stuck near the station with nothing worth walking to. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Lausanne
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Hôtel Elite
Avenue Sainte-Luce, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hôtel Agora Swiss Night
Gare, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hôtel Ibis Lausanne Centre
City Centre, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
Starling Hotel Lausanne
Ecublens, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
Ouchy, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
Lausanne Palace
Grand-Chêne, Lausanne
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hôtel de Rohan | Old Town, Lausanne | $65–95/night | 7.2/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Hôtel Elite | Avenue Sainte-Luce, Lausanne | $85–115/night | 7.8/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Hôtel Agora Swiss Night | Gare, Lausanne | $110–160/night | 8.1/10 | Most Popular |
| 4 | Hôtel Ibis Lausanne Centre | City Centre, Lausanne | $115–165/night | 7.9/10 | Business Pick |
| 5 | Hôtel de la Paix | Ouchy, Lausanne | $145–210/night | 8.5/10 | Best Location |
| 6 | Hôtel Mirabeau | Montbenon, Lausanne | $155–220/night | 8.3/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 7 | Starling Hotel Lausanne | Ecublens, Lausanne | $175–240/night | 8.2/10 | Family Friendly |
| 8 | Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne | Ouchy, Lausanne | $195–260/night | 8.7/10 | Top Rated |
| 9 | Lausanne Palace | Grand-Chêne, Lausanne | $350–650/night | 9.1/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Beau-Rivage Palace | Ouchy, Lausanne | $480–900/night | 9.4/10 | Romantic Stay |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Hôtel de Rohan
This small hotel sits right in the heart of the Old Town, a short walk from the Cathedral. Rooms are basic and a bit dated, but they are clean and the price is hard to beat in Lausanne. The surrounding streets are lively at night, so light sleepers should request a rear-facing room. Breakfast is a simple continental spread served in a tiny dining room. Good option if you just need a roof over your head close to the sights.
Check Availability
Hôtel Elite
Hôtel Elite is a modest family-run property on Avenue Sainte-Luce, about ten minutes on foot from the train station. The rooms are compact but tidy, with decent beds and functional bathrooms. Staff are genuinely helpful and will point you toward good local lunch spots. Parking is available on site, which is a real bonus in this city. It punches above its price bracket for comfort and location.
Check Availability
Hôtel Agora Swiss Night
This hotel is directly beside Lausanne train station, which makes it ideal for arrivals and early departures. Rooms are modern and well-soundproofed despite the busy location. The buffet breakfast is generous and sets you up properly for a day of exploring. Metro Line M2 is right outside, so getting to Ouchy or the Old Town takes minutes. A reliable, no-fuss base for both tourists and business travelers.
Check Availability
Hôtel Ibis Lausanne Centre
The Ibis sits in the city centre close to the commercial district and convention facilities. Rooms follow the standard Ibis formula, compact, clean, and functional with decent beds. The bar downstairs is open late and serves simple hot food throughout the evening. Location gives easy access to the M2 metro for reaching the lakefront. Not exciting, but dependable and consistently delivered.
Check Availability
Hôtel de la Paix
Hôtel de la Paix is just a few minutes from the Ouchy lakefront promenade and the Olympic Museum. The building has been well maintained and rooms on upper floors have partial lake views worth requesting. The on-site restaurant serves solid Swiss and French dishes at fair prices for this neighborhood. Staff are professional and quick with recommendations for local boat excursions. A good mid-range choice if being close to the lake is a priority.
Check Availability
Hôtel Mirabeau
Set near the Montbenon esplanade, this hotel offers some of the best lake and Alps views in its price range. The rooms are classically decorated with quality furniture and comfortable bedding. The terrace is a genuine highlight, especially on a clear morning when Mont Blanc is visible in the distance. It is a short walk or metro ride from the main train station. Worth paying slightly above budget for the panorama alone.
Check Availability
Starling Hotel Lausanne
The Starling is a large modern hotel near EPFL campus in Ecublens, about fifteen minutes from the city centre by metro. It has a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and spacious rooms that work well for families. The on-site restaurant is above average, and the hotel runs a good weekend brunch. It feels a bit removed from the tourist core, but the transport links are straightforward. Best suited to those attending conferences or wanting a quieter stay.
Check Availability
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
The Mövenpick stands right at the edge of the Ouchy waterfront, giving it direct access to the lake promenade and boat piers. Rooms are contemporary with good-quality linens, and the lake-facing rooms justify the higher room rate. The restaurant serves an excellent Sunday brunch that draws locals as much as guests. Service is polished and attentive without being stiff. This is one of the best all-round packages in Lausanne at a mid-to-upper price point.
Check Availability
Lausanne Palace
The Lausanne Palace on Rue du Grand-Chêne is a landmark property with panoramic views over the city and Lake Geneva. Built in 1915, the building has been meticulously maintained and the interiors combine period elegance with modern comforts. The spa is one of the finest hotel spas in Switzerland, and the restaurant holds a respected culinary reputation. Butler service and concierge support are genuinely impressive. This is the benchmark for luxury in the city and worth every franc.
Check Availability
Beau-Rivage Palace
The Beau-Rivage Palace is one of the great grand hotels of Europe, sitting directly on the Ouchy lakefront with formal gardens stretching to the water. Rooms and suites are extraordinarily spacious, with silk fabrics, marble bathrooms, and views that are genuinely stunning. The Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant on site holds Michelin stars and is a destination in itself. Staff to guest ratios are exceptional and service anticipates needs before they are voiced. Few hotels in Switzerland can match this combination of history, setting, and quality.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Lausanne
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Ouchy vs. Old Town: where should you actually stay?
Ouchy wins for atmosphere and access to the lake. The Quai d'Ouchy is a 2km promenade lined with parks, the Olympic Museum, and the kind of light that makes you understand why painters came to this part of Switzerland. Hotels here run $145-480/night and are worth the premium if the lake matters to you.
Old Town is charming but inconvenient. The streets around Lausanne Cathedral and Place de la Palud are genuinely beautiful. but they're steep, the hotel options are thin, and you're 12 minutes on foot (mostly uphill) from the M2 metro. Stay here if you want quiet and character. Otherwise, Ouchy or Montbenon give you more for the same money.
Getting around Lausanne without a car
The M2 metro is your main tool. It runs every 3-5 minutes during the day, connecting Ouchy-Olympique at the lake to Lausanne-Gare in 6 minutes, then continuing up to Flon and beyond. A single ticket costs CHF 3.70, but most hotels in Lausanne include a free unlimited transit pass for the duration of your stay. always ask at check-in.
Buses fill the gaps. Line 2 runs east-west along the lake. Bus 31 connects Gare to Ecublens in about 20 minutes. For nights out in Flon, the LEB suburban train from Flon station is quick and runs late on weekends. Skip renting a car unless you're heading to Gruyères or the Lavaux vineyards.
Lausanne's best neighbourhoods for food and nightlife
Flon is where Lausanne eats and drinks. The old industrial district around Place de l'Europe has been properly transformed: good restaurants, wine bars, late-night spots, and the Romandie concert venue all within a few blocks. It's walkable from Montbenon hotels and one metro stop from Gare.
For something calmer, the streets around Rue de Bourg in the city centre have decent mid-range restaurants and a few excellent wine shops. The covered market at Rue de l'Ale runs Tuesday and Saturday mornings. arrive before 9am if you want the good cheeses. Most Old Town restaurants are tourist-priced; locals eat in Flon or near the Université de Lausanne campus.
Lausanne for business travellers
Most conferences happen at the EPFL in Ecublens, the Lausanne Palace event spaces on Grand-Chêne, or the SwissTech Convention Center near the Unil-Sorge metro stop. Know your venue before booking. Staying in Ouchy and taking the M2 to Gare, then a bus to Ecublens, sounds complicated but runs reliably in under 30 minutes.
Hôtel Ibis Lausanne Centre is the practical choice for business: city centre location near Rue de Bourg, reliable WiFi, and rates at $115-165/night that won't need a three-paragraph expense justification. For client dinners, move up to Hôtel Mirabeau in Montbenon. better restaurant access and a significantly more impressive lobby.
What to know about Lausanne hotel prices
Prices in Lausanne spike hard in July and August. Ouchy hotels can jump 40-50% in peak weeks, and anything with 'lake view' in the description will cost you. Book Ouchy properties at least 6-8 weeks ahead for July stays. The Festival de la Cité in early July and the Lausanne Marathon in late October are the two dates that hammer availability city-wide.
Shoulder season. March through May and October through November. is genuinely the smart play. Temperatures sit at 6-14°C, the crowds are gone, and you're paying $65-155/night for rooms that cost $200+ in August. The lake is still beautiful. The Cathedral is less crowded. And the Lavaux vineyard terraces above Lutry are spectacular in autumn light.
Day trips from Lausanne worth planning your hotel around
Château de Chillon in Montreux is 25 minutes by regional train from Lausanne-Gare. one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, and worth half a day. The Lavaux UNESCO vineyard terraces between Lutry and Chexbres are 15 minutes by train; the hike along the Chemin Viticole takes about 3 hours and ends with a wine tasting. Neither requires a car.
Gruyères (yes, the cheese) is 55 minutes by train with one change at Romont. Geneva is 45 minutes on the direct intercity from Lausanne-Gare. easy enough for a day trip, but honestly Lausanne has more character. If you're planning multiple day trips, base yourself near Lausanne-Gare and don't overthink it.
Lausanne's best neighborhoods
Lausanne splits into distinct vertical zones, from the lakefront at Ouchy up through the city centre to the historic Old Town. Start with Ouchy if the lake matters to you, or base yourself near Grand-Chêne if you want walkable access to everything without the uphill grind.
Ouchy 2 vetted hotels Lakefront living with the Olympic Museum on your doorstep.
Lakefront living with the Olympic Museum on your doorstep.
Ouchy is Lausanne's showpiece. The Quai d'Ouchy runs along Lake Geneva with clear views across to the Savoy Alps on a good day, and the whole neighbourhood has an easy, unhurried feel that the rest of the city doesn't quite match. The Olympic Museum, the Château d'Ouchy, and the Vidy Roman ruins are all within 15 minutes on foot.
Two of our picks are here, and they sit at different ends of the spectrum. Hôtel de la Paix is a polished mid-range option at $145-210/night, well-positioned on Avenue Ruchonnet. Beau-Rivage Palace is the full luxury play at $480-900/night, with a park, private pier, and the kind of service that makes you feel like the 19th century wasn't so bad.
The M2 metro runs from Ouchy-Olympique up to Lausanne-Gare in 6 minutes, so you're never actually isolated down here. But the neighbourhood is steep in parts. the walk from the lakefront up to the city centre is 20-25 minutes and involves some serious inclines. Use the metro after dinner.
City Centre & Grand-Chêne 2 vetted hotels Central, walkable, and home to Lausanne's most storied address.
Central, walkable, and home to Lausanne's most storied address.
The Grand-Chêne-Montbenon corridor is Lausanne's most convenient base. You're 8 minutes' walk from the Flon district, 10 minutes from Place de la Riponne, and 15 minutes downhill to Ouchy. The streets around Rue du Grand-Chêne and Avenue du Théâtre are quiet at night but genuinely central during the day.
Lausanne Palace sits here at $350-650/night. It's not just a hotel. it's a Lausanne landmark, and if you're going to spend that kind of money, this is where the city's history, architecture, and service come together properly. For business stays, Hôtel Ibis Lausanne Centre on Rue du Maupas handles city-centre convenience at $115-165/night without pretending to be something it isn't.
Parking is a genuine headache in this area. Don't rent a car unless you're leaving the city. The M2 metro stop at Lausanne-Gare is 8 minutes on foot, and bus lines 1, 2, and 4 connect you to most of the city within 15-20 minutes.
Gare & City North 2 vetted hotels Convenient for arrivals, less inspiring for lingering.
Convenient for arrivals, less inspiring for lingering.
Lausanne-Gare is where most visitors land, and some of them make the mistake of staying there too. The area around the main station and Avenue de la Gare is functional: good transport links, 24-hour food options, and a handful of mid-range hotels. But it's not the Lausanne you came to see.
Hôtel Agora Swiss Night on Rue du Simplon is the exception worth noting. It rates 8.1 and runs $110-160/night. genuinely good value for the location, and close enough to the Flon metro that you can actually enjoy the city. For budget travellers, Hôtel de Rohan in the Old Town offers a historic vibe at $65-95/night, though the rooms are small and the area requires some uphill tolerance.
The Gare area sees the most street noise and the most transient foot traffic in Lausanne. Book here if you have an early train connection or a late arrival. Otherwise, the 6-minute M2 ride to Ouchy is worth the slight price increase for a completely different atmosphere.
Ecublens & Campus 1 vetted hotel Family-friendly and quiet, but you'll need the bus.
Family-friendly and quiet, but you'll need the bus.
Ecublens sits west of the city centre, home to the EPFL (one of Europe's top tech universities) and the Unil campus. It's a different energy from the rest of Lausanne: green, spacious, and genuinely quiet. Starling Hotel Lausanne is the main draw here, with a pool, large rooms, and a conference centre that makes it a go-to for academic events.
The distance is real. You're 15 minutes from Lausanne-Gare by M1 metro and a further 6 minutes on M2 to reach Ouchy. That's manageable for a day trip to the lake but annoying if you're doing it twice a day. Families and conference attendees don't care. everyone else should think twice.
Room rates at Starling run $175-240/night and represent solid value for the size and facilities. The EPFL campus itself is worth a wander: the Rolex Learning Center by SANAA is genuinely one of the most interesting buildings in Switzerland, and it's 5 minutes from the hotel's front door.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Lausanne.
Romantic
Ouchy is the clear winner here. The lakefront at Quai d'Ouchy at dusk, with the Alps reflected in Lake Geneva, is genuinely hard to top. and Beau-Rivage Palace's garden terrace makes the setting even more ridiculous.
Culture
Base yourself near Montbenon or Grand-Chêne for access to the Collection de l'Art Brut on Avenue des Bergières, the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts in Flon, and Lausanne Cathedral in the Old Town. all within 20 minutes on foot.
Family
Ecublens and Starling Hotel Lausanne make the most sense for families: pool on-site, large rooms, and the EPFL campus walking paths just outside. The Olympic Museum in Ouchy is 20 minutes by M1 and M2 and keeps kids genuinely engaged for 2-3 hours.
Budget
The Old Town and Gare area give you the lowest rates in the city, with Hôtel de Rohan on Rue de la Mercerie starting at $65/night. Breakfast at the Rue de l'Ale market on Saturday mornings costs CHF 5-8 and beats any hotel buffet.
Beach
Stay in Ouchy and you're a 3-minute walk from the Plage de Vidy, Lausanne's main public swimming area on the lake. The Bellerive Plage lido on Allée Ernest-Ansermet is open June-August and has a 50-metre pool alongside the lake swimming.
Foodie
Flon is Lausanne's best eating and drinking neighbourhood, with everything from natural wine bars to proper brasseries packed into a few blocks around Place de l'Europe. Stay in Montbenon or Grand-Chêne and you can walk there in 10 minutes.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Lausanne
When to visit Lausanne and what to pay.
Summer (June-August)
This is when Lausanne is at its most beautiful and most expensive. The Festival de la Cité runs in early July with free outdoor concerts across the Old Town, and the lakefront fills up from late June. Ouchy hotels book out 6-8 weeks in advance. don't leave it late.
Spring (March-May)
Spring is genuinely the best time to visit if you're not chasing beach weather. The Lavaux vineyard terraces above Lutry and Epesses are spectacular in April and May, and hotel prices sit 30-40% below summer peaks. The Lausanne-Ouchy lakefront starts coming alive in May. warm enough for long walks, quiet enough to enjoy them.
Autumn (September-November)
September still has summer warmth but without August prices. The Lausanne Marathon in late October fills hotels city-wide for one weekend. book 8-10 weeks ahead if your dates overlap. The wine harvest in the Lavaux is October, and a few of the Dezaley and Epesses estates open for visits.
Winter (December-February)
Lausanne in winter is quiet, genuinely affordable, and underestimated. The Christmas market at Place de la Palud runs through December and is worth an evening. Skiing at Les Diablerets and Villars is 75-90 minutes by car. some Ouchy hotels offer ski packages in January and February that bundle transport.
Booking Tips for Lausanne
Insider tips for booking hotels in Lausanne.
Always ask about the transit pass at check-in
Most Lausanne hotels include a free unlimited transit pass (Lausanne Transport Card) for your entire stay. It covers M1, M2, and all bus lines within zones 11 and 12. Never buy single tickets if you haven't asked. a 3-night stay saves you CHF 20-30 easily.
Book Ouchy hotels 6-8 weeks ahead for July
The Festival de la Cité (early July) and the general peak of lakefront tourism between July 10 and August 20 push Ouchy occupancy above 90%. Beau-Rivage Palace and Mövenpick are the first to sell out. If you're flexible, early June or late September offers the same lake experience at 30-40% lower rates.
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the Gare
Lausanne-Gare is a 24-hour hub. Ground and first-floor rooms on Rue du Simplon and Avenue de la Gare get noise from 5am onwards. platform announcements, delivery trucks, and street activity. Always request floor 3 or above, and confirm the room faces a courtyard if you're a light sleeper.
The M2 metro runs until 1am. plan around it
If you're staying in Ouchy and going out in Flon or Old Town, the last M2 runs around 1am on weekdays, 3am on weekends. After that, a taxi from Flon to Ouchy costs CHF 15-22. Not unreasonable, but worth knowing so you're not stranded on Avenue du Théâtre at 1:30am looking confused.
Verify 'lake view' before you book
Several Lausanne hotels in Ouchy and the city centre advertise lake views in property photos but only offer them from select rooms. sometimes just 20-30% of the inventory. Call the hotel directly, name the specific room category, and ask which floor and orientation it faces. Don't trust a stock photo of the terrace.
The Lausanne Marathon weekend affects the whole city
The Lausanne Marathon runs in late October (usually the last Sunday). Hotels across Ouchy, Gare, and city centre fill within 6-8 weeks of registration opening. Rates spike 25-35% across all categories. If you're not running, avoid that weekend entirely. road closures make getting around genuinely frustrating.
Hotels in Lausanne — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Lausanne.
What's the best area to stay in Lausanne?
Ouchy is the sweet spot for most visitors. You're on the lake, 10 minutes from the Olympic Museum, and the M2 metro line runs straight up to the city centre in under 6 minutes. If you'd rather be in the thick of things, Grand-Chêne and Montbenon put you between Place de la Riponne and the Flon district without needing a metro card.
How much does a hotel in Lausanne cost per night?
Budget picks around the Gare or Old Town run $65-115/night. Mid-range hotels in Ouchy and Montbenon sit at $145-240/night. The top-end properties, Lausanne Palace near Grand-Chêne and Beau-Rivage Palace in Ouchy, start at $350 and climb to $900/night in peak season.
Is Lausanne expensive compared to Geneva?
Lausanne runs about 10-15% cheaper for hotels than Geneva, and noticeably cheaper for food. A decent lunch near Place de la Palud will cost you CHF 18-25, versus CHF 25-35 for the equivalent in Geneva's centre. Mid-range hotels here offer real value. especially in Montbenon and the Gare area.
What's the best way to get around Lausanne?
The M2 metro is the backbone. It runs from Ouchy-Olympique at the lake all the way up to Croisettes in 20 minutes, stopping at Lausanne-Gare halfway. Buses cover everything the metro doesn't, and your hotel key card often includes a free 24-hour transit pass. Taxis from the Gare to Ouchy run about CHF 15-20.
When is the best time to visit Lausanne?
Late May through September is peak season. hotel prices jump 30-40% and the lakefront gets crowded. June is the sweet spot: good weather (18-23°C), the Festival de la Cité in early July is worth planning around, and prices haven't hit their August ceiling. March-April is genuinely underrated: quiet, $65-150/night for solid mid-range picks, and the Old Town is yours.
Is Lausanne safe for tourists?
Very. It consistently ranks among Switzerland's safest cities. The Gare area at night is the one place to stay alert. it's not dangerous, but there's occasional loitering around the train station after midnight. Ouchy and Old Town are problem-free at any hour.
Do I need to speak French to get around?
No, but it helps. Lausanne is in French-speaking Switzerland, so French is the default in shops, restaurants, and at smaller hotels. Most hotel staff speak English fluently, especially in Ouchy and Grand-Chêne. Learn 'bonjour' and 'merci' at minimum. locals notice and appreciate it.
Are there good hotels near the Olympic Museum?
Yes. The Olympic Museum sits in Ouchy, right off the Quai d'Ouchy lakefront promenade. Hôtel de la Paix is 7 minutes' walk from the museum entrance. Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne is even closer, about 5 minutes on foot, and has better amenities for the price bracket.
What areas of Lausanne should I avoid for hotels?
Avoid booking in the immediate blocks around Lausanne-Gare if you're not catching an early train. The area is convenient but grim, with little to do after dark and street noise starting at 5am. Ecublens is fine for families visiting EPFL, but it's 15 minutes from the lake and 20 minutes from Old Town by metro and bus.
Are there family-friendly hotels in Lausanne?
Starling Hotel Lausanne in Ecublens is the top pick for families. It has proper room sizes (not the usual Swiss shoebox), a pool, and it's steps from the EPFL campus walking paths. Rooms run $175-240/night, and the hotel is 12 minutes from Lausanne-Gare by bus 31.
What's the most romantic hotel in Lausanne?
Beau-Rivage Palace in Ouchy. Full stop. It's on the lake, the gardens are extraordinary, and the views across to the French Alps are the kind of thing you remember for years. Rates start at $480/night. worth it for a special occasion, not for a casual weekend.
Is there a hotel with a view of Lake Geneva?
Several, but the quality of that view depends entirely on which floor and which room you book. At Beau-Rivage Palace, even the garden-facing rooms are stunning. At Hôtel de la Paix, request a room above the 3rd floor facing the Quai d'Ouchy for a clear lake view. Don't trust any hotel photos showing lake views without checking recent guest reviews on the room category.