Where to Stay in Lucerne: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Lucerne? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Lucerne very well, I have created this guide of:

• Lucerne’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
• For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Lucerne

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Lucerne, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

• Where to stay in Lucerne for the first time: Hotel des Alpes, perfectly located in the Old Town with river views or Hotel Rebstock (a bit cheaper)
• Where to stay in Lucerne with a lake view: Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne
• Best 5-star hotel in Lucerne: Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, an iconic hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
• Where to stay in Lucerne on a budget: Barabas Hotel Luzern or Backpackers Luzern
• Where to stay in Lucerne with family: HITrental Chapel Bridge Apartments or Hotel Baslertor (with swimming pool!)
• My favorite hotel in Lucerne for a romantic stay: Château Gütsch (fairytale castle with fantastic views of the city) or Grand Hotel National Luzern (on the lakeside)

In Lucerne’s Old Town (Altstadt)

The Old Town of Lucerne, or Altstadt, is the charming heart of the city.

This area is famous for its medieval architecture, painted facades, and cobblestone streets, creating a truly authentic atmosphere.

It’s the best area to discover the city’s main sights on foot.

You should stay in this district:

• For a first time stay, as you’ll be in the middle of everything.
• To explore all main landmarks easily, without needing public transport.
• If you love historic charm, with its traditional buildings and squares.
• For a culture-filled trip with easy access to museums and churches.

This is the perfect area to see:

• Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge and the symbol of Lucerne.
• Water Tower (Wasserturm), the octagonal tower next to the Chapel Bridge.
• Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke), another historic wooden bridge with paintings depicting the “Dance of Death.”
• The Lion Monument
• Musegg Wall and its nine towers, the medieval ramparts of the city.
• The Jesuit Church, the first large baroque church built in Switzerland.
• Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz, two squares with beautifully painted buildings.

Where to Stay in Lucerne’s Old Town?

• Boutique Hotel Münzgasse: Right in the heart of the Old Town, steps from the Reuss river. Modern and stylish rooms in a historic building, from 180€. Strong points: convenient self-check-in, excellent central location, modern amenities.
• Hotel Rebstock: Set in a charming 14th-century half-timbered building. Individually decorated rooms with a traditional feel, starting at 230€, breakfast included. Strong points: historic character, renowned restaurant, located in a quiet part of the Old Town, very welcoming staff.
• Hotel des Alpes: Located right on the Reuss river. Comfortable double rooms, many with river and Chapel Bridge views, from 250€, breakfast included. Strong points: incredible view, unbeatable location, friendly staff.
• Hotel Des Balances: Set in a beautiful historic guildhall by the river. Elegant rooms starting from 390€, breakfast included. Strong points: amazing riverside terrace, high-quality restaurant, charming atmosphere. My favorite hotel for a romantic stay in Lucerne!
• Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern: This 5-star hotel is located on the edge of the Old Town, facing the lake. Luxurious, individually decorated rooms from 450€. Strong points: spa area, fantastic views, exceptional service. Simply the best luxury hotel in Lucerne’s historic center.

In the New Town (Neustadt)

The New Town, just across the river from the Altstadt, is a more modern and lively area.

This is where you’ll find the main train station, making it a very convenient base for exploring the region. It has a great mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural venues.

Staying in Neustadt allows you to enjoy modern comforts while being just a few steps from the historic center.

You should stay in Neustadt:

• If you’re planning day trips by train, as the station is right there.
• If you enjoy a mix of shopping and dining, with more modern options than the Old Town.
• To be close to the KKL Culture and Convention Centre.

This district is perfect for discovering:

• KKL Luzern (Culture and Convention Centre), a modern architectural masterpiece by Jean Nouvel, home to a world-class concert hall.
• Rosengart Collection, an art museum featuring works by Picasso, Klee, and other modern masters.
• Lucerne Train Station, an attraction in itself with its impressive archway, a remnant of the 19th-century station.
• Vögeligärtli park
• The lakeside promenade, for beautiful walks with views of the Alps.

Here are my favorite hotels in the New Town district

• Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel: Directly opposite the train station. Classic, clean double rooms from 210€, with a great breakfast included. Strong points: extremely convenient location, very helpful staff, quiet despite being central.
• Cascada Boutique Hotel: A stylish hotel a few minutes’ walk from the station. Modern double rooms from 250€, breakfast included. Strong points: fun waterfall-themed decor, excellent restaurant, very comfortable beds. Excellent value for money!
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne: Next to the KKL and the lake. Spacious, contemporary rooms from 280€, breakfast at an additional cost. Strong points: great location for concerts and train travel, modern amenities, some rooms have lake views.
• Hotel Anker Luzern: A trendy and colourful hotel located between the Old and New Town. Bright, modern rooms starting at 350€, with breakfast included. Strong points: stylish design, lively bar and restaurant, great location for exploring both sides of the river.
• Château Gütsch: A fairytale-like 19th-century castle hotel set on a hill overlooking the city, with the old town and new town still easily reachable thanks to the funicular. Elegant rooms with panoramic views of Lucerne, the lake, and the mountains, from 380€. Strong points: exceptional views, unique historic setting, quiet location. My favorite hotel for a Romantic stay in Lucerne!

On the Lake Shore

The Lake Shore area offers some of the most beautiful views in Lucerne.

Stretching along the northern bank of Lake Lucerne, this district is home to grand hotels, parks, and the city’s casino. It provides a more relaxed and scenic atmosphere.

You can stay on the Lake Shore:

• If you want breathtaking views of the lake and mountains from your hotel room.
• For a more luxurious and relaxing holiday, away from the immediate bustle of the Old Town.
• To you enjoy evening strolls along the beautiful promenade.
• For a romantic getaway

Best things to see and do around the Lake Shore:

• Lake Lucerne Promenade, the perfect place for a walk, with stunning alpine views.
• The Grand Casino Luzern,
• The Swiss Museum of Transport, one of Switzerland’s most popular museums
• Boat trips on Lake Lucerne, with many departure points along the shore.
• Lido Beach, for swimming and sunbathing in the summer.

The Best Hotels to Stay on the Lake Shore

• Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne: Located right on the promenade. Bright, stylish double rooms from 230€, many with balconies and lake views. Strong points: fantastic location, wonderful views, free city bus ticket.
• HERMITAGE Lake Lucerne: A bit further from the center, offering tranquility. Modern double rooms with private lake-view balconies from 350€. Strong points: every room has a view, private lake access, excellent wellness area.
• Grand Hotel National Luzern: This 5-star hotel is a historic landmark on the lake. Opulent rooms in a classic style from 550€. Strong points: indoor pool, magnificent architecture, prime location. This is my recommendation for a classic luxury stay on the lake!

Where to Stay in Lucerne on a Budget

If you’re traveling on a budget, here are a few great hotels for a stay in Lucerne without spending too much:

• Backpackers Luzern: Located a short walk from the lake shore. Offers beds in a dormitory from 55€ or private double rooms from 130€. Strong points: shared kitchen facilities, garden area, very low price for Lucerne, great for meeting other travelers.
• Barabas Hotel Luzern: Located in the Old Town, in a former prison. Rooms start from 120€. Strong points: central location, clean, and a truly unique concept.
• Ibis budget Hotel Luzern City: Located a bit outside the immediate center, about a 15-minute walk. Modern, compact rooms from 130€. Strong points: reliable quality, clean, good price for Lucerne. Another great place to stay on a budget.
• Hotel Alpha: In a quiet area, a 10-minute walk from the train station. Simple, clean double rooms from 140€, breakfast included. Strong points: very friendly staff, good breakfast, excellent value for money

Where to Stay in Lucerne with Family

• HITrental Chapel Bridge Apartments: In the heart of the Old Town. Offers apartments of various sizes for families, from 320€. Strong points: kitchen facilities, amazing location, feel like a local.
• KoBi Apartments Hirschenplatz: Located on one of the most picturesque squares in the Old Town. Offers spacious, modern apartments with full kitchen facilities, from 420€. Strong points: unbeatable central location, perfect for families wanting independence, high-quality furnishings.
• Hotel Monopol Luzern: A grand historic hotel directly opposite the train station. Offers triple rooms from 440€ and quadruple rooms from 490€. Strong points: beautiful building, extremely convenient for arrivals and day trips, spacious rooms for families.
• Hotel Baslertor: Situated near the Musegg Wall on the edge of the Old Town. Quadruple rooms from 630€. Strong points: features an outdoor swimming pool, a quiet location, and is great for families during the summer months.
• Lucerne Lake View Apartments: Offering some of the best views over the city and lake. Large, luxury apartments start from 900€. Strong points: incredible panoramic views from the balcony, very spacious, ideal for a longer family stay in comfort.

What is the best hotel in Lucerne?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Lucerne, I recommend you the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern.

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious, you should book a night or more at Grand Hotel National Luzern or at the wonderful Château Gütsch.

Where to stay in Lucerne: The best hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Lucerne, whether in the old town or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.

You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel	District	Price (from)
Boutique Hotel Münzgasse	Old Town (Altstadt)	180€
Hotel Rebstock	Old Town (Altstadt)	230€
Hotel des Alpes	Old Town (Altstadt)	250€
Hotel Des Balances	Old Town (Altstadt)	390€
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern	Old Town (Altstadt)	450€
Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel	New Town (Neustadt)	210€
Cascada Boutique Hotel	New Town (Neustadt)	250€
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne	New Town (Neustadt)	280€
Hotel Anker Luzern	New Town (Neustadt)	350€
Château Gütsch	New Town (Neustadt)	380€
Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne	Lake Shore	230€
HERMITAGE Lake Lucerne	Lake Shore	350€
Grand Hotel National Luzern	Lake Shore	550€
Backpackers Luzern	Cheap Hotels	55€
Barabas Hotel Luzern	Cheap Hotels	120€
Ibis budget Hotel Luzern City	Cheap Hotels	130€
Hotel Alpha	Cheap Hotels	140€
HITrental Chapel Bridge Apartments	Hotel for families	320€
KoBi Apartments Hirschenplatz	Hotel for families	420€
Hotel Monopol Luzern	Hotel for families	440€
Hotel Baslertor	Hotel for families	630€
Lucerne Lake View Apartments	Hotel for families	900€