Hotel des Balances
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel des Balances is Chapel Bridge framed straight from your window — the best location in Lucerne.
Hotel des Balances is Chapel Bridge framed straight from your window — the best location in Lucerne.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms at Hotel des Balances split into two sides: the river side, with its direct Chapel Bridge view, and the side facing the Weinmarkt square. The river rooms turn genuinely romantic in the evening, when the lights play off the water. Rooms are clean, the beds are soft, and the overall feel is the warm, old-Europe kind. The one thing worth knowing: some rooms are smaller than the photos make them look, and several reviews suggest asking for a Deluxe River View at booking so you get both the view and the floor space. The linens and towels earn praise as better quality than the price would suggest, and housekeeping keeps the rooms tidy throughout the stay.
Food and amenities
The La Balance restaurant serves good French and Swiss food, with a riverside terrace that fills up in summer — sitting there eating breakfast while tourists cross Chapel Bridge is one of those moments reviewers say sticks with them. The breakfast buffet gets credit for its range and the quality of the ingredients, particularly the Swiss cheese, fresh-baked bread and fresh fruit. The Wi-Fi is fast and steady throughout the hotel, and there is a handsome lobby that works for getting some work done or just resting between outings.
Location and getting there
Hotel des Balances sits in the heart of the car-free old town, which makes the surroundings quieter and more walkable than the streets near the station. Chapel Bridge is under a minute away, Weinmarkt — the old guild square — is right behind, the Jesuit Church is across the river, and Lucerne Station is about 7 to 8 minutes on foot along a pretty route. For day trips up Mount Pilatus or Rigi, you walk to the station and pick up a train or boat. The Schwanenplatz shopping area is not far either.
Things to know before booking
This is a 4-star, and it prices above a typical Swiss 4-star — you are paying for the view more than for facilities. There is no spa or pool. Some rooms are smaller than the photos suggest, so request the river side, and ideally a Deluxe River View on floor 3 or higher, when you book. The river rooms are the draw; the Weinmarkt-side rooms are quieter but face the square rather than the bridge.
Our take
Hotel des Balances suits couples and romantically inclined travelers who want the best view in Lucerne, full stop. It runs more than an average 4-star, but factor in the location, the direct Chapel Bridge view and the steady service and it earns its keep. It is the place to book for the first night of a Swiss trip — the kind of start that is hard to forget.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- River-facing rooms look straight onto the Reuss and Chapel Bridge, with Mount Pilatus in the backdrop — the most romantic outlook in Lucerne, especially in the evening when the lights reflect off the water.
- Centre of the old town: it is a 1-minute walk to Chapel Bridge and about 5 minutes to the old guild square of Weinmarkt, with the Jesuit Church just across the river.
- The La Balance restaurant serves quality French-Swiss food and has a riverside terrace where you can watch the bridge while you eat.
- Staff and service draw consistent praise for both professionalism and warmth.
- It sits inside a historic guildhall building that has been kept in good shape, blending the original architecture with modern comforts rather than gutting it.
- Some rooms are smaller than the photos suggest — reviews recommend specifically requesting the river side, and a Deluxe River View, when you book.
- It costs more than a typical Swiss 4-star, largely because you are paying for the Chapel Bridge view rather than extra facilities.
- There is no spa or pool here, so it leans on its location and restaurant rather than on-site amenities to justify the rate.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a Deluxe River View at booking and request floor 3 or higher for the best angle on Chapel Bridge. The Weinmarkt-side rooms have their own charm and run quieter.
- The La Balance terrace takes reservations — for a riverside table at dinner in summer, book it 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
- Lucerne Station is only a 7-minute walk, and trains and boats for Mount Pilatus and Rigi leave from there, so you can do the day trips without ever needing a car.