Lausanne Palace

I stayed at the Lausanne Palace in early October with my parents, in two rooms booked until 7 October. The hotel has a famous name. Our stay did not live up to it, and the way a family emergency was handled is the main reason I am writing. On 5 October my grandfather had a medical emergency in India and we had to leave two nights early. At check-out, the Front Office Manager told me in person that the hotel would do its best to refund the unused nights for both rooms. Two days later the written answer arrived: no refund unless I produce an official medical certificate confirming not only the emergency, but specifically that my presence was "required or necessary" with my grandfather. Think about that standard. No doctor certifies that a grandson is medically necessary at a bedside. A family rushing home does not stop to collect paperwork proving it was entitled to worry. From a hotel at this price level I expected judgement and some humanity. What I received was a bureaucratic hurdle that is close to impossible to clear, and a reply very different in spirit from what I was told at the desk. In fairness, the front office team themselves were warm, friendly and helpful throughout our stay, and I thank them. I cannot say the same of their manager, whom I found rude and unaccommodating in person and rigid in writing. The team sets a better example than the person leading it. The rooms: the suite was fine. The smaller rooms are another matter. They are run down and dated, and overdue for a complete refurbishment. The bathrooms in particular, starting with the tiling, belong to another decade. At these rates that is hard to accept. Breakfast: service was extremely slow. There seemed to be several trainees on the floor, and a number of our orders were missed altogether. Not what you expect from a five-star palace hotel in the morning. Overall, this is a hotel trading on its name. Between tired rooms, slow breakfast service and an inflexible response to a real family emergency, it is not worth the rate being charged, and as things stand I would not recommend it. There are better places to stay in Lausanne. The refund request remains open with management. I will update this review to reflect how it is finally handled.

**Lausanne Palace – A True Swiss Deluxe Experience** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our stay at the Lausanne Palace Hotel was nothing short of lavish and luxurious — every bit the true Swiss Deluxe Hotel it's known to be. Perfectly located in the heart of Lausanne, just a few minutes' walk from the main train station, it offers the ideal blend of convenience and elegance. The property itself was spotless — impeccably maintained from the lobby to the rooms. But what truly elevated our stay was the genuine kindness and hospitality of the staff. From check-in to check-out, every interaction felt warm, attentive, and sincere. A special mention goes to **Lila at the Spa Reception**, who set the tone for our entire spa experience with her warmth and professionalism. She made us feel welcomed and cared for from the very first moment, and her attentiveness added a truly special touch to our visit. Lausanne Palace Hotel isn't just a beautiful place to stay — it's the people who make it unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone seeking true 5-star luxury paired with heartfelt hospitality.

Wonderful stay at this amazing property. From arrival to departure, 6 days here was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in many years and travels around the world. Truly a property worthy of the Leading Hotels of the World designation. Views of the lake are amazing and the location is ideal for exploring Lausanne and as a home base for both the MJF and Switzerland touring. The hotel is historic yet with all the modern conveniences. Staff are professional yet exceedingly friendly. From the bellmen to the front desk, and restaurant and bar staff, everyone we encountered was helpful, kind, and after several days got to know us well. Don’t miss the Brasserie and 2-star restaurant on the property. Special thanks to Daniel and Christophe who went out of their way to ensure we had an exceptional stay. Will be back!!!

The Palace, one of Switzerland’s great classic grand hotels, has successfully made the transition into the modern era following a major renovation completed around ten years ago. The rooms and facilities are continuously refreshed and maintained to a very high standard. The service is outstanding. I was particularly impressed by the professionalism and attentiveness of the housekeeping management, room service, and the front desk staff, who consistently provide discreet yet genuinely personal attention to every guest. All facilities are of an exceptionally high standard, the food is excellent with a wide variety of choices, and the views are simply breathtaking. Overall, this is a hotel I can recommend without hesitation.