Skip to content 
I first saw the Grand Hotel Europe on a past trip to Lucerne, Switzerland. Set on the banks of Lake Lucerne, this stately hotel draws the eye of everyone who strolls past it on the waterfront promenade. I knew I had to come back and stay here—and so I booked it for my trip to most recent trip to Switzerland. Ultimately, I was a little disappointed in my choice. This is my honest review of the Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne, and if this 4-star hotel is worth the price.
The Location
The location is the prime draw of the Grand Hotel Europe. The hotel overlooks beautiful Lake Lucerne and is just steps away from the lakefront walking path. The Lucerne Casino and the Seebad (a swimming pool within the lake) are nearby.
However, note that Lucerne Old Town, where most of the major tourist sites and popular restaurants are, is about a 20-minute walk away. The walk was definitely nice, but it gets a bit tiresome if you want to go back to your hotel during the day and then out again for dinner at night. If you don’t feel like walking, a bus stop is literally right outside the front door of the hotel.
Pros
- Stunning lakeside location
- Old world glamor
- Friendly staff
- Breakfast is included and the breakfast buffet is substantial with a good variety
- Reasonably priced parking
- Lots of public transportation nearby
Cons
- Only some rooms have air conditioning and they sell out early. Rooms without air conditioning can get stiflingly hot in the summer
- You have to request a fan and the hotel doesn’t have enough for every room
- Located far outside of Lucerne’s town center
- No mini-fridges in rooms
- Outside can be very noisy especially if you have the windows open
- No screens on windows let bugs in
- Some common areas and rooms look dated and tired
- No luggage stands in rooms
- There is a busy street between the hotel and the lake
- No spa or pool
The Rooms
It’s unfortunate that the rooms with the prime lakefront views do not have air conditioning—so you have to choose between the scenery and being comfortable when booking. The only rooms that have air conditioning (or the “fan cooling system” as the Grand Hotel Europe calls it), are the Standard Family Rooms, the Superior Double Rooms, and the Standard Triple Rooms. When booking online, it will clearly note which rooms have air conditioning and which do not, so make sure to look for that before reserving in the summer.
We stayed in a Junior Suite with Lake View, which as promised, had stunning views of Lake Lucerne. This rooms are spacious (approximately 430 square feet), with French doors that open up to the lake. However, you should know that these rooms are not right on the lake—there is a busy street between the hotel and the lake, along with a few other low buildings, that do detract from the view a bit.
The Junior Suite has two twin bed that can be pushed together to make a king-sized bed, parquet floors, and a separate seating area with a small couch, chair, and table. The ensuite bathroom has a sliding door which can be tough to close all the way properly, and doesn’t offer great privacy.
Restaurants
The Grand Hotel Europe has one main restaurant, the Bellevue, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In warmer months, the Bellevue’s terrace and garden is open, so you can enjoy alfresco dining and drinks. The breakfast buffet is definitely the highlight, offering a wide spread of juices, baked goods, fresh fruits, cheeses, and more.
We mostly ate at the hotel for breakfast and then explored the great restaurants in the area for the rest of our meals, but it’s definitely worth getting a drink out on the Bellevue’s terrace—especially during sunset.
There’s also a small lobby bar, the Europe Bar and Lobby, which serves drinks and snacks, and seemed to be popular with the locals.
Parking
We didn’t rent a car (you really don’t need to, thanks to Switzerland’s great rail network and public transportation system), but there is parking available at the Grand Hotel Europe. Parking is surprisingly reasonable, costing CHF 25. You do need to make a reservation in advance by emailing the hotel.
Is the Grand Hotel Europe Lake Lucerne Worth the Money?
I stayed at the Grand Hotel Europe in July, and paid about $350 per night by booking through Agoda. You can definitely find other lakefront hotels closer to Old Town Lucerne for less money, however, the five-star hotels in the area will cost a few hundred dollars per night more.
Overall, I would say you can find a better deal in the area, but it was nice to stay in a historic lakefront hotel.
Other hotels in Lake Lucerne that you might want to check out instead include:
- Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
- Grand Hotel National Luzern
- Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
- Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne
Read More
Paris is a city that demands a transportation experience as grand as its landmarks and as stylish as its fashion. Treat yourself to a luxury car rental in Paris from one of these six best rental shops.
We’ve traveled to all seven continents and personally vetted hundreds of properties to find the best luxury hotels in the world, where your experience will be unparalleled from check-in to check-out. Read our full list of our 14 favorites here.
All-inclusive, adults-only, and a beautiful beach: these were the three requirements I had when planning a romantic getaway to Mexico, and the TRS Yucatán hotel did not disappoint. Read our full review here.
If we had to choose the best hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, it would be Villa Copenhagen. This stately hotel ticks all the boxes: location, style, luxury, and service. Read our full review here.
When planning my bucket list trip to the Maldives, there were a few factors that influenced my hotel choice. I wanted an adults-only resort, overwater villas, all-inclusive, and I needed it to be somewhat affordable. Read our review of the Mercure Maldives Koodoo here.
Float among icebergs, gaze at penguins, and soak up mesmerizing views—an Antarctica cruise is a trip of a lifetime. These are the Best Antarctica Luxury Cruises.
A luxury train ride across Canada is the best way to see the country. These are the five most majestic trains to take.
Famous for being one of the happiest countries in the world, a trip to Bhutan will be unlike anywhere you’ve ever visited. Read our full Bhutan travel guide here.
Check out our Daily Deals at Agoda.com