Lausanne Palace

It took a long time for our meat and cheese plate to arrive, and in the end it never did. We waited 20 minutes after our drinks came, but had other business to get to, so we left. The drinks themselves arrived in a reasonable time, though they couldn't make the hot chocolate with cream we'd ordered because they had no cream. We got a plain hot chocolate instead, which was surprising for such a highly rated hotel. We weren't sure how to order when we first arrived and no one offered help, though eventually we got seats and placed our order. I'd wanted for years to enjoy a nice apero with my parents at Lausanne Palace, and while the atmosphere was pleasant, I expected more.

On a business trip, I got a free room upgrade, and the renovated room was spacious. The hotel sits in a beautiful spot overlooking the lake, with an interior mixing old and new, plus a huge lobby with a charming bar and lounge. The staff were friendly and attentive. Breakfast was the letdown, and at 49 CHF per person I didn't think the buffet was worth the money. The winter garden is beautiful, but the breakfast was average and the coffee came from a Nespresso machine. Other five-star hotels do better, and there are places in Lausanne serving a better breakfast for less.

We came with my family to see the historic Lausanne Palace, where delegations from several nations stayed during the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in July 1923. The visit left us with mixed feelings. Staff seemed unaware of the hotel's role in world history. I asked several questions but couldn't get clear answers, and ended up explaining the history myself. There's a small museum corner in the lobby, but the main display about the Treaty is poorly placed and easy to miss. When I showed interest in the hotel's history, guest relations manager Lea was defensive and surprisingly impolite, leaving us uncomfortable. Alejandro at reception, on the other hand, was excellent: friendly, professional and genuinely helpful. The hotel could make its heritage more visible and promote it through tours and social media. We came a long way for the visit, but left disappointed.

I stayed three nights on a business trip to Lausanne. The rooms were modern and spacious, and everything was immaculate, clean and tidy. The staff were welcoming and very hospitable. I'd recommend this hotel without hesitation.