9
Excellent
478 USD
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Hotel des Balances in Lucerne

🌍
Switzerland, Lucerne, Weinmarkt
● Center: 190 m

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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Rooms and prices

2 guests
Adults2+
Children under 170+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Check availability on Booking
Double room facing the old town
Double room facing the old town
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
504 USD
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Double room with river view
Double room with river view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
618 USD
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Superior Double room with river view
Superior Double room with river view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
744 USD
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Double Suite with balcony and with river view
Double Suite with balcony and with river view
Wireless internet, air conditioning and minibar
Beds:
1 134 USD
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Family room
Family room
Private bathroom
Beds:
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Double Junior Suite with river view
Double Junior Suite with river view
Private bathroom
Beds:
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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.
2 guests
Adults2+
Children under 170+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
Age7+
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Services and facilities

General
  • 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
Rooms
  • Bridal suite
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
  • Family room
  • Cable TV
  • TV
  • Minibar
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower
  • Toiletries
Accessibility
  • Accessibility features
Services and amenities
  • Ironing
  • Luggage storage
  • Laundry
  • Safe-deposit box
  • Concierge services
  • Dry-cleaning
  • Shoe shine
  • Luggage storage
  • Wake-up service
  • Telephone
Meals
  • Bar
  • Coffee/tea for guests
  • Breakfast
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Cafe
  • Restaurant
  • Kitchen
  • Packed Lunches
  • Bottled water
  • Kettle
Internet
  • Free Wi-Fi
Transfer
  • Airport transportation
Languages Spoken
  • Spanish
  • German
  • English
  • French
  • Multi-language staff
Tourist services
  • Tour assistance
Recreation
  • Casino
  • Hiking
  • Sun Deck
Parking
  • Parking
  • Garage
Business
  • Business center
  • Fax and copy machine
  • Meeting and presentation facilities
  • Conference Hall
Sports
  • Golf course
Beauty and wellness
  • Doctor
  • First Aid Kit
Kids
  • Family/Kid Friendly
Pets
  • Pets allowed

Video: Review of Hotel des Balances Lucerne Switzerland

Map

Reviews

Cleanliness
Amenities
Location
Service
04.06.2026 Rene
A very warm welcome, warm and helpful. A very clean and spacious room with a beautiful view. A warm welcome at breakfast would be appreciated. The selection and menu offered will make for a great start to the day.
07.12.2025 Guest
We observed a disagreement between the hotel manager and a guest during our stay. While this incident did not impact our overall experience, we believe there is room for improvement in service quality. The hotel enjoys a strategic and convenient location. However, it would be appreciated if basic amenities such as a toothbrush kit were provided. Additionally, we hope that all guests are treated with equal respect and that service is not influenced by racial differences.
27.10.2025 SanzhixiaozhuziY
I originally booked a room without a lake view because it was too expensive. However, the exterior was under renovation, and not being able to open the windows was a big problem, so I upgraded to a room with a lake view. The view was nice, but the price was a bit steep 🥲. The restaurant on the first floor was packed; they gave us two vouchers for two drinks, but we didn't go because it was too crowded 😂. I think the hotels in the back row without lake views offer better value; it depends on personal preference.
25.09.2025 Jesyn
Hotel des Balances is a beautiful blend of history and modern comfort, right in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town. The location is unbeatable — you can walk to the Chapel Bridge, Jesuit Church, and plenty of shops and restaurants within minutes. My room was stylish and very clean, with a wonderful view over the river. The historic facade and murals give the hotel real charm, while the interiors feel elegant and well cared for.

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!
04.07.2025 Anonymous
The apples at the front desk were very sweet. It's a little walk from the train station, but you'll get used to it. The scenery is beautiful. The restaurant downstairs is excellent; reservations are necessary. It was one of the best Swiss meals I've ever had, and the view was beautiful.
02.07.2025 5tylistic
Fantastic location and enjoyable stay. Highly recommended!
03.01.2025 Aey1973
Convenient location, accessible by car but complicated, must enter from the back of the river. Good service staff, smiling, luxurious room, beautifully decorated, beautiful river view, beautiful light in the room, we stayed 3 people, not cramped, the bed is soft and comfortable, it is also a shopping area, shops close early, maybe because it is winter, welcome drink tastes great.
23.07.2024 Guest
Everything was perfect
Especially the location was really pratical
And excellent service
It is a overall good hotel
I would definately recommend it
26.06.2024 Wahyu
location is great, but if you drag check-in luggages, will have some draggy time with the stoney street and stairs
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
29.10.2023 La_Mimi
The hotel is very nice and the rooms are well equipped. Everything is there, also slippers and L'occitane products. The view of the city - if you have a good room - is wonderful. Ah, and the room is very clean !

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.
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POIs near hotel

attraction
Spreuerbrücke (3 min)
Historic covered wooden bridge featuring medieval paintings along its interior.
museum
Museum Luzern (4 min)
Museum Luzern offers exhibits on local culture, art, and history, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
museum
Rosengart Collection (5 min)
Collection showcasing works by Picasso and other modern artists, open year-round.
museum
Kunstmuseum Luzern (8 min)
Art museum featuring Swiss and international modern art collections, open Tuesday to Sunday.
museum
Bourbaki Panorama (12 min)
Panoramic circular painting depicting the retreat of the French army in 1871, free admission.

Cafe and Restaurants near hotel

restaurant
Швейцарски ресторант "Фричи" (4 min)
Sternenpl. 5, 6004 Luzern
restaurant
Restaurant «FONDUE HOUSE LUZERN» (5 min)
Falkengasse 4+6, 6004 Luzern
restaurant
Restaurant «ASIAN FONDUE HOUSE» (5 min)
Falkengasse 6, 6004 Luzern

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).

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