Tulip Inn Lausanne Beaulieu

The bus stop is just a few metres away, and the pedestrian part of town is about a 10-minute walk. There’s a supermarket and café nearby, plus a free bus pass. For anyone driving, the secure garage has an elevator up to reception. The room was spacious, quiet and very clean, with lots of windows and good facilities. The bathroom had plenty of mirrors too. I also liked how the lounge and work room were arranged, and the little garden was lovely and well cared for, a nice spot to relax when the weather cooperates. Most of all, the people made a great first impression. Isabelle, the owner and receptionist, was warm and very helpful. We didn’t have breakfast, so I can’t comment on that.

The courtyard was a lovely place to sit with coffee or chat, and the neighborhood felt peaceful and safe. We walked to most places, with the city center about 10 minutes away and the train station roughly 15-20 minutes on foot. The 21 bus from the station takes around 10 minutes, and the 2 goes to Ouchy by the water. Ask reception for the free city bus pass. Our room was clean, the beds were comfortable, and the AC worked great. The bathroom was small but clean. One annoyance: when we left towels on the floor to signal they were dirty, housekeeping hung them back up. I had to leave a note to get fresh ones. There’s a small kitchen in the lobby where we microwaved a few things. Grocery stores are close, though most of Lausanne shuts around 6pm. The only one we found open later was Coop Express at the station. We skipped breakfast, but the set-up looked good. It was a good value and we’d stay again.

The breakfast was decent and had a fairly good selection, and the nearby bus stop got us into the city center quickly. Beyond that, I was disappointed. The rooms felt small and the decor looked dated. The minibar was locked, and there was no room AC, just a floor fan that looked like a giant speaker. I find it hard to believe this was hotel of the year in 2007 & 2008.

The staff helped us feel welcome even though we were 18 and felt a bit out of place as young travelers. We met three receptionists and a few cleaners, and everyone was polite, greeted us, and spoke English well. We stayed four nights on our first trip abroad. The place had a nice, rather expensive-looking atmosphere, but the rooms were reasonably priced. The fan in our room was great and really made the stay. The TV wasn’t connected to wifi, so we used our data, and the minibar came in handy though it was a little pricey. The pillows were much too flat and soft, but it wasn’t a huge issue. It’s just outside the city center, a short walk away, and the nearby bus stop was a godsend. I’d recommend staying here if you want to be a little out of the center.