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Vaud, Swiss Riviera
Luxury Hotels in Lausanne
The Olympic capital — cultured, steep, and overlooking Lake Geneva.
Why Stay in Lausanne
Lausanne sits on the steep northern shore of Lake Geneva, its streets climbing from the lakefront district of Ouchy up through the old town to the Gothic cathedral at the summit. It is Switzerland's fourth-largest city and carries a cultural seriousness that surprises first-time visitors: the International Olympic Committee has been based here since 1915, and the city has built an identity around sport, culture, and education that gives it more substance than its size suggests.
The lake view from almost anywhere in the city is exceptional — across to the French Alps, with the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc visible on clear days.
Atmosphere & Travel Style
Lausanne is more energetic than Montreux and more relaxed than Geneva. The student population from EPFL and the university gives the city a younger, more casual energy than Switzerland's financial centres. The old town around the cathedral is genuinely medieval — steep, cobbled, and compact. Ouchy on the lakefront has a promenade quality closer to a resort town than a city.
It suits travelers who want a Swiss city with cultural depth, lake access, and easy connections along the Riviera — without the formality of Geneva or the pure resort focus of Montreux.
Luxury Hotel Scene
Beau-Rivage Palace is the landmark luxury address — a grand hotel directly on the lake in Ouchy, open since 1861, with one of the finest spa facilities on Lake Geneva. It sits within its own park and has a self-contained resort quality despite being minutes from the city.
La Réserve Eden au Lac Lausanne offers a more contemporary boutique alternative. For travelers who want to be in the old town rather than on the lakefront, the Royal Savoy offers a hillside position with lake views and a more central access to the cathedral quarter.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring and summer — May to September — are the strongest months. The lakefront is at its best, the Lavaux vineyards are vivid green, and the outdoor terrace culture at Ouchy is in full effect.
The Lausanne Festival in July brings outdoor events across the city. Autumn is excellent for the grape harvest in the Lavaux. Winter is quieter but the cathedral, museums, and restaurant scene continue year-round.
How It Compares
Against Geneva, Lausanne is smaller, less international, and more relaxed. Geneva has the UN, the diplomacy, and the international infrastructure; Lausanne has a more local Swiss character and a steeper, more dramatic urban landscape.
Against Montreux, Lausanne is more urban and culturally varied; Montreux is more resort-focused and event-driven around the Jazz Festival. The two are 25 minutes apart by train and work well combined on the same trip.
Lausanne is the strongest mid-point on a Lake Geneva itinerary — between Geneva to the west and Montreux and the Château de Chillon to the east.
Getting There
Lausanne is 35 minutes from Geneva by direct train and 25 minutes from Montreux. From Zurich, around 2 hours 20 minutes. The lakeside rail route is one of Switzerland's most scenic — running along the Lavaux vineyard terraces between Lausanne and Montreux.
The nearest international airport is Geneva. The Lausanne-Ouchy metro connects the main station to the lakefront in around 6 minutes.
The Best Luxury Hotels in Lausanne
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne
Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne is a luxurious 5-star lakeside hotel offering understated elegance and timeless design with sweeping views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The property seamlessly blends refined gastronomy, world-class wellness at the Guerlain Spa, and sophisticated accommodations to create an invitation to purity and renewal. For over 160 years, this iconic destination has set the standard for refined hospitality in Switzerland.
Lausanne Palace
Lausanne Palace is a historic 5-star luxury hotel celebrating 110 years of elegance in the heart of Switzerland's Olympic capital, offering panoramic views of Lake Geneva and sophisticated accommodations. The hotel seamlessly blends timeless charm with contemporary hospitality, featuring Michelin-starred dining, a serene spa with hammam and sauna, and refined cocktail bars. Perfectly positioned to explore Lausanne's cultural treasures and the stunning Lavaux region, it serves as an ideal gateway to Switzerland's most enchanting destinations.
Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne
Hotel Royal Savoy is one of Lausanne's grandest luxury hotels, a magnificent Belle Époque palace set in five acres of parkland above Lake Geneva. Recently restored to its original splendour, it combines historic grandeur with a world-class spa and exceptional lake and Alpine views.
Hotel Château d'Ouchy Lausanne
Hotel Château d'Ouchy is a uniquely romantic hotel in a genuine medieval castle on the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne's Ouchy harbour district. With lake views, exceptional dining and the extraordinary experience of staying in a medieval fortress, it is one of the most distinctive luxury addresses on the Swiss Riviera.
Curated Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How does Lausanne compare to Geneva for a luxury stay?
A.Lausanne is more intimate, more local, and less formally international than Geneva. Geneva suits travelers with connections to international institutions or who want the most efficient Alpine access point. Lausanne suits those who want a Lake Geneva stay with genuine city culture, easier access to the Lavaux vineyards, and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. The two are 35 minutes apart — many travelers combine both.
Q.Is Beau-Rivage Palace the best hotel in Lausanne?
A.Yes — at the five-star grand hotel level it is the only serious choice in Lausanne. Open since 1861, directly on the lake in Ouchy, with a large spa and park grounds. For travelers who want a more contemporary boutique experience or a position in the old town rather than the lakefront, alternatives exist but none at the same grand hotel level.
Q.What is the Lavaux and is it worth visiting from Lausanne?
A.The Lavaux is a UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape stretching along the lake shore east of Lausanne — terraced vineyards dropping steeply to the water, with views across to the French Alps. It is 15 minutes by train and worth a half-day at minimum. The villages of Lutry, Cully, and Rivaz offer wine tasting directly from the producers. It is one of the more underrated day trips in Switzerland.