Hotel Aulac
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Aulac is the cheapest lakefront 3-star in Ouchy — small balconies onto the water, though rooms have no air-conditioning and can be noisy.
Hotel Aulac is the cheapest lakefront 3-star in Ouchy — small balconies onto the water, though rooms have no air-conditioning and can be noisy.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Rooms are done in a classic style that reads a little dated but is kept clean — reviews describe them as somewhat dated but kept clean. The reason most people pick this hotel is the small balcony on the Lake View rooms, which opens onto Lake Geneva and the French Alps across the water; guests mention rooms with beautiful views of the lake and small balconies overlooking it. The big catch is that there is no air-conditioning — reviews state flatly that the rooms can get very hot in summer. From June to August, when Lausanne afternoons reach about 30°C, a room can turn stuffy. In winter, spring and autumn it is a non-issue.
Food and amenities
Restaurant and Brasserie Le Pirate inside the hotel serves regional food and Lake Geneva fish — reviews call it informal dining with regional specialties from the lake. It is a relaxed spot for a casual meal, and far cheaper than the luxury hotel restaurants nearby. Wi-Fi is free, and a free public transport pass runs for your whole stay, covering the metro, buses, trams and the lake boats. There is no pool, no gym and no spa — this is a simple, location-first hotel. Staff get warm marks, with reviews noting friendly staff and clean rooms.
Location and getting there
Hotel Aulac sits on Place de la Navigation, right next to the Ouchy-Olympique metro — 100 m away. The M2 line reaches Lausanne-Gare in 8 minutes, where you connect to a train to Geneva Airport (GVA) in 40 minutes; the city centre is 10 minutes out and the airport about 40 minutes by car. The Olympic Museum is a 5-minute walk, the Port d'Ouchy is right beside the hotel with boats to Évian, Montreux and Chillon Castle, and the Lake Léman promenade runs along the water for long strolls. Reviews sum up the setting as a lakeside area with charm, parks and gardens, surrounded by Alpine splendour.
Things to know before booking
Two things shape whether this hotel works for you. First, no air-conditioning — fine in cooler months, rough in a July or August heatwave. Second, the lake-facing rooms are noisy: traffic on Quai de Belgique, the restaurants below, and the harbour after dark all carry up. Reviews are explicit that rooms facing inland are quieter, so ask for one at booking if you sleep light — you trade the lake view for the quiet. On TripAdvisor it ranks #26 of 45 Lausanne hotels at 3.5/5 from 512 reviews, and 7.4 to 7.6/10 on Booking and Agoda — below its neighbours, for the reasons above.
Our take
Hotel Aulac is best for the budget traveller who wants to be on the lake and is not coming in high summer. Winter, spring and autumn are when it pays off most — a small lakeview balcony at around $137 a night is a hard price to find anywhere in Ouchy. But if you are visiting in the summer heat, or you are a light sleeper, look elsewhere: Hôtel du Port (our #8) gives a family-style lakefront feel at a similar price, and Château d'Ouchy or Beau-Rivage Palace step things up for a bigger budget.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Lakefront spot on Lake Geneva at the most affordable price in the Ouchy district — rates start around $137 a night, rare for the waterfront here.
- Lake View rooms come with small balconies that open onto the lake and the Ouchy harbour, with the French Alps across the water.
- Just 100 m from the Ouchy-Olympique metro and a 5-minute walk from the Olympic Museum, with the Port d'Ouchy boats next door.
- A free public transport pass for your whole stay covers the metro, buses, trams and the lake boats.
- Restaurant and Brasserie Le Pirate on site serves informal regional Lake Geneva dishes at prices well below the luxury hotels nearby.
- Rooms have no air-conditioning — reviews flag they can get very hot in summer, when Lausanne afternoons reach about 30°C from June to August.
- Lake-facing rooms are noisy: traffic on Quai de Belgique, the restaurants below, and harbour nightlife all carry up. Ask for an inland room if noise bothers you — you lose the lake view but it is quieter.
- It is a simple place with no pool, no gym and no spa, and the rooms read somewhat dated, though they are kept clean.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Come in winter, spring or autumn and the lack of air-conditioning is a non-issue — Aulac turns into a genuinely good-value lakefront stay. In peak summer (July to August) look instead at the Mövenpick or Château d'Ouchy, which are fully air-conditioned.
- If you are sensitive to noise, ask at booking for an inland-facing room — reviews are clear that rooms facing inland are quieter. You give up the lake view but gain the quiet.
- Skip the pricey luxury restaurants and eat at Le Pirate downstairs — it does regional Lake Geneva fish and informal plates for far less, and you do not even have to leave the building.