Along Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland
When I get off the metro at Lausanne’s Ouchy-Olympique station and walk toward my hotel in that foggy-brain state of someone who has flown all night through many time zones, I’m dimly aware of a commotion nearby. But it’s not until I reach my seventh-floor room at the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne and look out the window toward the promenade along Lake Geneva, that I begin to understand what’s causing the ruckus.
I’ve arrived in this Swiss lakeside city in the midst of the Euro 24 soccer championships, and Lausanne is a city obsessed. And while I didn’t come to Lausanne for soccer, my perch at the Mövenpick Hotel gave me a glimpse into this local fandom, with a giant screen broadcasting the games along the lakeshore and hordes of fans cheering on their teams.
Here’s the scoop:
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne, Switzerland
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
From the outside, the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne resembles a 1960s apartment block. Inside, though, it’s been nicely updated.
The seven-story property seems to cater to international business and leisure travelers, with front desk staffers who speak fluent English and event schedules posted around the lobby, while many guests buzz around wearing conference badges.
Frequent travelers should note that the Mövenpick is under the Accor brand umbrella, which encompasses luxury brands like Fairmont, Raffles, and Sofitel, as well as mid-range chains including Novotel and Mama Shelter — useful if you’re an Accor points collector.
An ample Swiss breakfast buffet at the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
Facilities and Services
The lobby-level restaurant does an extensive hot and cold buffet (included in some room packages) in the mornings with an especially good selection of cheeses and fresh breads along with the usual eggs, bacon, yogurts, cereals, and pastries. Big windows face the marina and lake across the street, and the sidewalk terrace outside the dining room has great lake views.
Later in the day, the bar/cafe adjacent to the main restaurant, also looking out to the lake, seems to do a brisk happy hour business.
On the 1st floor, one level above the lobby, a spacious window-lined fitness center offers an opportunity for a workout — beyond climbing up and down Lausanne’s hilly streets (yes, it’s a hilly city!) or taking a walk or a run along the Lake Geneva shore.
Guest room, Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
Guest Rooms and Amenities
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne guests can choose from queen- or twin-bedded rooms, ranging in size from a compact 247 square feet to a roomier 323 square feet. All feature modern furnishings, with built-in work desks and night tables, coffee makers, tea kettles, mini fridges, and good Wi-Fi.
Some rooms have views of the lake across the street and the often lively activity along the lakeshore.
The hotel also has two types of larger suites, the 409-sq-ft junior suite, with a lakeview sitting area, and the two-level 860-sq-ft duplex suite, with a king bed and vistas over Lake Geneva.
Many of the guest rooms have views of the lake.
What’s Nearby?
Like many Lausanne hotels, the Mövenpick provides a Lausanne transport card good for free public transit during your stay as well as discounts on local museums. The hotel is about a five-minute walk to the metro that ends at the lake but climbs steeply up the hill to the city center and beyond. It’s less than a 20-minute metro ride to Lausanne Gare, the central rail station.
Once you’re at the central train station, stroll over to Plateforme 10, the city’s recently completed arts district, which has three modern museums you can explore, as well as all sorts of outdoor concerts and events. Also in the city center, take a walk to the gothic Lausanne Cathedral, which dates back to the 1200s.
Back on the lakeshore, within walking distance of the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne, The Olympic Museum tells you all about the Olympic Games, past and present. And whether or not you’re a soccer fan, the Mövenpick’s location by the lakeshore scores a goal.
Rates
Double room rates at the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne start at about US$170/night. Compare rates at Booking.com.
For a completely different hotel experience in the Lake Geneva region, check out our review of Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, a luxe lodging in the nearby town of Montreux.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Switzerland Tourism and Lausanne Tourisme, in partnership with Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne, hosted my stay for review purposes.
