Hotel Crystal

I liked the place. It felt safe and was close to the tourist spots, and they gave us a travel card to use around Lausanne. There's also a cafe where you can get coffee or tea until 8 pm.

The location is very good and breakfast is solid, but I can't think of much else to recommend. There was no air conditioning or ceiling fan. It was about 38C when I visited earlier this month, and I had to ask the front desk over and over before I got a small portable fan. The website says the rooms have been renovated, but mine, room 38, clearly hadn't been. It faced an air shaft, so there was no view at all. Some local bar or business played music past 11 every night. That wasn't the hotel's fault, but it left me choosing between an open window with the music and a closed one with no air moving. It made for a pretty unpleasant stay. The decor mixes interesting historic Olympic posters with tacky Warhol and Lichtenstein knock-offs. I may not be back in Lausanne, but if I am, I won't stay here.

I accidentally booked two rooms. I realized three hours later and messaged them to ask if they could at least refund half, but they said that wasn't possible. I never stayed there, and the lack of empathy and poor service left a bad impression.

You couldn't ask for a better location. The free public transport and daily Swiss breakfast were a big help, and the reception staff were really warm and helpful. They lent me a Swiss charging plug and stored my bags for a few hours, which helped me make the most of my stay.