Hotel des Balances in Lucerne
✅ Many guests praise the unbeatable location in Lucerne’s Old Town, close to major sights like the Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church. ✅ The river-view rooms receive high acclaim for their stunning scenery and clean, stylish interiors. ✅ Staff are frequently described as warm, professional, and helpful, providing quick room service and good local recommendations. ✅ The onsite restaurant and bar are highly rated for quality food and atmosphere, with some guests calling it one of the best Swiss meals they have had. ✅ Facilities such as free parking, WiFi, and family rooms contribute positively to the overall experience. ❌ Some guests noted the absence of basic toiletries like toothbrush kits and limited amenities such as body lotion and hair conditioner. ❌ A few reviews mention issues with room size being small, especially for travelers with multiple suitcases. ❌ Service quality showed some inconsistency, including an incident of disagreement involving hotel staff and concerns about equal treatment. ❌ Certain rooms lack air conditioning, which some guests found uncomfortable. ❌ One review highlighted an air mattress in a room, which deflated and negatively affected sleep quality.
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Description
Hotel des Balances is a historic 4-star hotel established in 1836 and renovated in 2008, located in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town. It offers a variety of rooms including Double rooms facing the old town, Superior Double rooms with river views, Family rooms, and Suites with balconies overlooking the river. Guests appreciate the blend of historic charm with modern amenities such as air conditioning, WiFi, and 24-hour security. The hotel features a restaurant and bar with river views, a casino, and business facilities including meeting rooms and a business centre. Cleanliness and service receive high marks, scoring 9 out of 10, and the hotel also welcomes pets upon request. Its elegant interiors and well-maintained historic facade create a distinctive atmosphere for visitors seeking comfort and character in central Lucerne.
Location
Situated on Weinmarkt in Lucerne’s Old Town, the hotel is within easy walking distance to key landmarks including the Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church. It's roughly a 10-minute walk from the train station, making arrivals convenient despite a short walk with some cobblestone streets and stairs. Nearby dining options include Swiss and fondue restaurants within 300 to 350 meters. Zurich Airport is approximately 48 kilometers away. The central location means guests can explore shops, cafes, and cultural sites on foot, with the hotel offering a scenic view over the river and close proximity to multiple city attractions.
Tips
- If you want to enjoy the best views, book a river-view room or a suite with balcony.
- Consider bringing earplugs due to early morning church bells reported by some guests.
- For dining at the hotel restaurant, make a reservation in advance as it can get very busy, especially during peak times.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children can stay in some rooms of this hotel. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
- Breakfast: Buffet [Mon - Sun] 07:00-11:00 Open Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request Types of pets allowed: dogs, cats Fee: CHF 20.00 (approx. US$25.47) per pet per day
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
- Paying at the hotel: JSB, UnionPay, AmericanExpress, DinersClub, MasterCard, Visa
- Check in time: 14:00. Check out time: 04:00-12:00.
Services and facilities
- Air conditioning
- Elevator/lift
- Currency exchange
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Security guard
- Newspapers
- Ticket assistance
- Television in lobby
- Terrace
- Fire Extinguisher
- All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
- Reception desk
- Electric car charging
- Bridal suite
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Family room
- Cable TV
- TV
- Minibar
- Hairdryer
- Shower
- Toiletries
- Accessibility features
- Ironing
- Luggage storage
- Laundry
- Safe-deposit box
- Concierge services
- Dry-cleaning
- Shoe shine
- Luggage storage
- Wake-up service
- Telephone
- Bar
- Coffee/tea for guests
- Breakfast
- Breakfast in the room
- Cafe
- Restaurant
- Kitchen
- Packed Lunches
- Bottled water
- Kettle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Airport transportation
- Spanish
- German
- English
- French
- Multi-language staff
- Tour assistance
- Casino
- Hiking
- Sun Deck
- Parking
- Garage
- Business center
- Fax and copy machine
- Meeting and presentation facilities
- Conference Hall
- Golf course
- Doctor
- First Aid Kit
- Family/Kid Friendly
- Pets allowed
Video: Review of Hotel des Balances Lucerne Switzerland
Map
Reviews
The staff were warm, professional, and genuinely helpful — from check-in to recommendations around the city
Overall, a fantastic hotel if you want charm, comfort, and a prime location in Lucerne. Highly recommended, especially if you can book a river-view room!
Especially the location was really pratical
And excellent service
It is a overall good hotel
I would definately recommend it
the amenities could be better, no body lotion and hair conditioner
room size is pretty comfortable
toilet, closet doesn't have bidet but i guess it's not the standard there, prefer bigger water flow for the shower
On the negative side, the bed was uneven, maybe because it was used too much, so sleeping was a bit uncomfortable. Then, the rooms are not so spacious.
For one or two nights, I fully recommend coming here.
I will rather go to a more modern hotel next time because of the uneven mattress.
POIs near hotel
Cafe and Restaurants near hotel
Frequently asked questions about Hotel des Balances
What types of rooms are available at Hotel des Balances?
The hotel offers Double rooms facing the old town, Double rooms with river view, Superior Double rooms with river view, Family rooms, Double Junior Suites with river view, and Double Suites with balcony and river view.
Are pets allowed at Hotel des Balances?
Yes, pets including dogs and cats are allowed on request. There is a fee of CHF 20 per pet per day.
Is parking available at the hotel?
Yes, the hotel provides free parking for guests.
Does the hotel have air conditioning in the rooms?
While the hotel offers air conditioning as a service, some reviews mention that certain rooms do not have air conditioning.
How far is Hotel des Balances from Zurich Airport?
The hotel is approximately 48 kilometers from Zurich Airport (ZRH).



















































































