Renaissance Lucerne Hotel

The staff made our anniversary and engagement trip feel so special. They even surprised us with chocolates and a sweet personalized note. Such a thoughtful gesture, and we’ll definitely be back 🤩

The restaurant attached to the hotel was pretty good, and we had the free breakfast there. There’s also a gym on the first floor. We liked that they happily gave us sparkling water for free when we asked, since we prefer it to still water. The location is great too, about a 4 minute walk from the station in the center of Lucerne. They also provide a visitor pass for free buses in zone 10 and discounts at museums and other activities.

The staff were always friendly and happy to help with directions or recommendations, and the bar and restaurant had a welcoming, stylish feel for a drink or a bite. Our room was modern, spotless, and lovely to come back to after exploring. The beds were super comfortable, the bedding, robes, and towels felt luxurious, and it was quiet enough to unwind. The location is hard to beat, close to the train station, lake, and old town. A wonderful stay at the Renaissance Lucerne Hotel, with genuine Swiss hospitality.

We paid a premium for four nights over New Year for two couples in two rooms at the Renaissance Hotel by Marriott Bonvoy, Lucerne, expecting five-star standards. Instead, this was one of the worst hotel stays we’ve had. We felt stuck because the booking was non-refundable, so we spent as much time as we could enjoying beautiful Lucerne and as little as possible at the hotel. The location is good, but nearby hotels cost about the same and actually deliver quality. We’re gutted we paid so much for this experience, and it has completely destroyed our trust in Marriott Bonvoy. We’ll avoid the brand in the future. The reception was tiny and soulless, and the lift, corridors, and rooms felt shocking and neglected. Stained carpets and dirty walls ran through the corridors and lifts. Our rooms were cramped, old, outdated, and poorly maintained, with dust and hair on the floors and worn furniture that looked decades old. The cleaning was unacceptable for any hotel, let alone one claiming to be luxury. Daily housekeeping was minimal and careless, with no proper vacuuming or attention to detail. A piece of wall art was partly hidden behind the TV, as if it had been installed without anyone checking the wall first. That summed up the careless, amateur feel of the place. The shower was the only thing that looked updated, perhaps renovated recently. It was clean, but that alone doesn’t make this a five-star hotel. The heating barely worked in the cold, and wind came through the window. Soundproofing was nonexistent. We heard every hallway and outside noise as if the window were open and people were right beside our bed. There were no slippers or bathrobes, so I had to ask reception for slippers. Breakfast had some variety, but the hot food was consistently cold. We only ate there two of the four days, then went elsewhere. How is this accepted as a five-star hotel, especially in Switzerland, where hospitality standards are supposedly strict? Who regulates or inspects these places? This is clearly accepted by Marriott, and that says everything. The company used to represent quality. Now it feels like branding, money, and market dominance have replaced pride and accountability. Standards seem optional when a company gets this big, wealthy, and powerful. What wouldn’t pass inspection at a smaller hotel somehow gets a free pass under the Marriott name. Avoid!