The Best Luxury Hotels in Lausanne, Honestly Ranked
The grandest palace hotel on Lake Geneva, Vevey's Daisy Miller hotel and Nabokov's Montreux palace: the Olympic capital and its Riviera, decoded.
By Biirdee Travel, Luxury Travel Concierge · Updated October 29, 2026
Lausanne holds one of Europe's great unsung hotel trios: all LHW members, all under the radar of travelers who stop at Geneva. The Beau-Rivage Palace at Ouchy is the headline: an 1861 lakefront palace in four hectares of gardens, with Anne-Sophie Pic's two-Michelin-star restaurant and the Alps across the water. Above it, the Lausanne Palace anchors the city center, and the Royal Savoy's turreted silhouette hides a rooftop terrace with the lake panorama and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools. Follow the shore east through the Lavaux vineyards and the Riviera adds two grand hotels worth the trip on their own: the Trois Couronnes at Vevey, twenty minutes away, and the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace ten minutes beyond it; Évian's Hôtel Royal waits across the water by ferry.
The Short Answers
- Best overall: Beau-Rivage Palace, Lake Geneva's definitive palace hotel; lake-view rooms are mandatory.
- Best in-town: Lausanne Palace, Belle Époque grandeur over the old city.
- Best spa-and-views value: Royal Savoy; the Sky Rooftop terrace is the city's best vantage point.
- Best on the Riviera: the Trois Couronnes in Vevey for literary grandeur, the Montreux Palace for Belle Époque scale and July's jazz festival.
- Lavaux's UNESCO vineyard terraces start 15 minutes east; the lake drive is half the reason to come.
- Lausanne prices ~20% under Geneva for comparable luxury; Leaders Club benefits attach at the four LHW members.
The Top Tier, With Our Honest Take
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne
Ouchy lakefront
9.5Exceptional · 481 guest reviewsThe 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
Guests praiseLocationServiceAmenities
from ~CHF 600–900/night
Lausanne Palace
City center, above the old town
9.2Excellent · 2,243 guest reviewsThe urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
Guests praiseFriendly staffGreat locationGood breakfast
from ~CHF 450–650/night
Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
Between center and lake
9.2Excellent · 3,470 guest reviewsThe turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Guests praiseHospitalityLocationAmenities
from ~CHF 400–600/night
Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
Vevey lakefront (20 min east)
9.4Excellent · 46 guest reviewsVevey's grand hotel since 1842, where Henry James set Daisy Miller: a galleried atrium, lake-facing balconies, a full spa and a terrace on the quay; the Beau-Rivage's closest rival in character; LHW member
Guests praiseExcellent serviceStunning property
from ~CHF 450–700/night
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
Montreux lakefront (30 min east)
The 1906 Belle Époque palace on the Montreux shore, Vladimir Nabokov's home for his last 16 years: lake-view balconies, a large spa with an indoor pool, and the Montreux Jazz Festival on the doorstep each July
from ~CHF 350–600/night
Smart-Value Lakefront Classics
A notch below the palaces in polish, a long way below them in price, and every bit as close to the water.
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
from ~CHF 280–420/night
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Autograph Collection
Montreux, above the lake quay
Montreux's 19th-century grand hotel between the station and the flower-lined quay: Belle Époque public rooms, lake-view balconies and Marriott Bonvoy points; the smart-value base for the Riviera and Chillon
from ~CHF 250–400/night
Across the Lake (35 min by ferry)
Hôtel Royal, Évian Resort
Évian-les-Bains, France (35 min by ferry from Ouchy)
The 1909 Belle Époque palace in parkland above Évian: frescoed salons, a big spa, views back across the water to Lausanne and serious family infrastructure; the lake's grandest crossing, and a different country for dinner
from ~€450–750/night
Pools in Lausanne
None of the hotels we rank in Lausanne has a rooftop pool; these are the ones with an outdoor pool.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
Outdoor pool
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Lausanne for couples
The hotels we book in Lausanne for an anniversary, a honeymoon or a weekend for two.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
Lausanne with children
The hotels we book in Lausanne for a stay with children.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
Hôtel Royal, Évian Resort
Évian-les-Bains, France (35 min by ferry from Ouchy)
Kids club, babysitting; outside Lausanne
The 1909 Belle Époque palace in parkland above Évian: frescoed salons, a big spa, views back across the water to Lausanne and serious family infrastructure; the lake's grandest crossing, and a different country for dinner
Lausanne on your own
The hotels we recommend in Lausanne to a traveler on their own.
Lausanne Palace
City center, above the old town
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Lausanne on business
The hotels our business travelers book in Lausanne.
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Near the Olympic Museum
The hotels we rank within a twenty-minute walk of the Olympic Museum, with the walk from the door.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
7 min walk
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Near the Ouchy promenade
The hotels we rank within a twenty-minute walk of the Ouchy promenade, with the walk from the door.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
1 min walk
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Near Place de la Palud
The hotels we rank within a twenty-minute walk of Place de la Palud, with the walk from the door.
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Near Lausanne station
The hotels we rank within a twenty-minute walk of Lausanne station, with the walk from the door.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
17 min walk
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Near Flon station
The hotels we rank within a twenty-minute walk of Flon station, with the walk from the door.
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Under $800 a night
The hotels we rank in Lausanne whose entry rate was under $800 a night when we last checked, in US dollars at Oct 2026 exchange rates.
The 1861 palace in four hectares of lakeside gardens at Ouchy: Anne-Sophie Pic's two stars, a full spa and Alps-across-the-water rooms that define Lake Geneva luxury; LHW member
The urban grande dame above the old town: Belle Époque salons, a serious spa, lake views from the upper floors and cathedral-quarter walks from the door; LHW member
The turreted 1909 landmark: the Sky Rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the city, and a spa with heated indoor and outdoor pools; LHW member
Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence
Ouchy quay, Lausanne
about $350 a night
The Ouchy inn where Lord Byron wrote The Prisoner of Chillon in 1816, now a cluster of historic lakefront houses: lake-view rooms, the Ouchy promenade outside, and the Beau-Rivage's neighborhood at a fraction of its rate
Lausanne by neighborhood
Where the hotels we rank in Lausanne sit, neighborhood by neighborhood; "boutique" marks an independent or small-group hotel of roughly a hundred keys or fewer.
| Neighborhood | Hotels |
|---|---|
| Ouchy | Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne, Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence (boutique, 75 keys) |
How to Choose
The Beau-Rivage is the destination in itself; take a lake-facing balcony room, dine at Pic once, and let the Ouchy promenade do the rest. The Lausanne Palace suits city-first stays and conference traffic; the Royal Savoy is the smart-money pick whose rooftop terrace outdoes both pricier rivals, and the Angleterre down on the quay is the budget-conscious lakefront answer. For a couple, the Beau-Rivage pairs lake-and-Alps rooms with the Guerlain Spa and dinner at Pic au Beau-Rivage Palace, which holds two Michelin stars, and the Lausanne Palace has lake-view suites with balconies, a 2,100-square-meter spa and the Michelin-starred La Table du Lausanne Palace. With children, the Beau-Rivage runs a kids' club during the Vaud school holidays, arranges childcare on request and has heated indoor and outdoor pools and a two-bedroom Duplex Suite; across the lake, the Hôtel Royal adds baby, kids' and teen clubs at its Kids Resort. On your own, the Lausanne Palace puts the Flon, Place de la Palud and the cathedral a short walk from the door, with LP's Bar and the Bar 1915 downstairs, and the Angleterre keeps to 75 rooms in four pavilions on the Ouchy quay, a minute from the lakefront promenade. On business, the Lausanne Palace has fourteen meeting rooms for up to 300 people, a conference center and a business center, 500 meters from the station, and the Royal Savoy, ten minutes below the station on the Avenue d'Ouchy, has a business center and meeting rooms. Push east for the Riviera: the Trois Couronnes for Vevey's quieter, literary grandeur, the Montreux Palace for Belle Époque scale and July's jazz festival, the Suisse Majestic for Montreux at a gentler rate. The region is the real luxury: Lavaux's terraced vineyards (UNESCO), the Olympic Museum, the ferry to Évian and its Hôtel Royal, and Geneva forty minutes down the shore. We build the Léman arc (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux) as a single lake itinerary.
Lausanne Hotel FAQs
What is the best hotel in Lausanne?
The Beau-Rivage Palace, by a comfortable margin; it's among the best lake hotels in Europe, full stop. The Royal Savoy is the value surprise; the Lausanne Palace the city-center classic. Along the Riviera, the Trois Couronnes in Vevey is the Beau-Rivage's closest rival in character.
How much do Lausanne's best hotels cost?
Entry rooms ~CHF 400–900 at the palaces, roughly 20% under Geneva equivalents; the Angleterre and the Suisse Majestic open the lakefront from ~CHF 250. Summer lake season and the Montreux Jazz Festival (July) peak; winter weekdays run softest.
Lausanne, Vevey or Montreux?
Lausanne for a real city with the Beau-Rivage on its shore; Vevey and Montreux for the postcard Riviera, Chillon castle and a slower pace. They sit 20–30 minutes apart by train or along the lake road, so many clients split the stay between the two.
Lausanne or Geneva?
Geneva for business and the Jet d'Eau postcard; Lausanne for the better lake resort experience and Lavaux's vineyards. Forty minutes apart; the discerning answer is the Beau-Rivage with Geneva day-tripped.
Which hotels in Lausanne have a rooftop pool?
None of the hotels we rank in Lausanne has a rooftop pool; Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne, Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence have an outdoor pool.
Which hotels in Lausanne are best for couples?
For a couple we book Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne and Lausanne Palace.
Where should a family stay in Lausanne?
With children we book Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne and Hôtel Royal, Évian Resort (outside Lausanne). Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne and Hôtel Royal, Évian Resort have a kids club and offer babysitting.
Which hotels in Lausanne suit a solo traveler?
On your own, we book Lausanne Palace and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence.
Which hotels in Lausanne are best for a business trip?
On business we book Lausanne Palace and Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa. For a working stay: Lausanne Palace (business center) and Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (business center).
Which hotels are near the Olympic Museum?
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne (4 min walk), Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (9 min walk) and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence (7 min walk) are within a twenty-minute walk of the Olympic Museum.
Which hotels are near the Ouchy promenade?
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne (2 min walk), Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (8 min walk) and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence (1 min walk) are within a twenty-minute walk of the Ouchy promenade.
Which hotels are near Place de la Palud?
Lausanne Palace (5 min walk) and Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (20 min walk) are within a twenty-minute walk of Place de la Palud.
Which hotels are near Lausanne station?
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne (16 min walk), Lausanne Palace (5 min walk), Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (10 min walk) and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence (17 min walk) are within a twenty-minute walk of Lausanne station.
Which hotels are near Flon station?
Lausanne Palace (1 min walk) and Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa (16 min walk) are within a twenty-minute walk of Flon station.
What does a luxury hotel in Lausanne cost a night?
Four of the hotels we rank in Lausanne start under $800 a night: Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne from about $750, Lausanne Palace from about $560, Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa from about $500 and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence from about $350 (US dollars at Oct 2026 exchange rates).
Which neighborhood in Lausanne should I stay in?
Of the hotels we rank in Lausanne, Ouchy has Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne and Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence. For a boutique stay, Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence in Ouchy.
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