UPDATED MAR 2020. Lucerne is a fantastic destination for a beginner solo traveler and a great place to treat yourself. I know that so many are looking for ways to travel cheaper, but I think it’s important to experience a little of everything from guesthouses and hostels to luxury hotels. Here’s my guide on where to stay in Lucerne I am reviewing the unbeatable Grand Hotel National.
Where To Stay In Lucerne For A Luxury Solo Female Travel Getaway
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for staying at the Grand Hotel National
What is your hotel recommendation?
Where is it located?
Lakeside Lucerne, Switzerland.
What is the price range?
Mid range – luxury depending on your room choice.
When is the peak season?
June – September.
What are the highlights of the hotel?
Wellness area, location, and breakfast.
Grand Hotel National location
For me, location is a big deal when picking a hotel.
I remember when I was traveling around America years ago. I ended up staying at a dingy motel on the side of the highway in Texas. It was so far outside of town that I couldn’t get to the attractions without spending an arm and a leg on taxi fares. The pool was a hub of bacteria, green with algae, and the lights in the room would flicker on and off.
It was horrible to put it nicely.
This experience taught me that it’s worthwhile spending more to get a good location when picking a hotel and now it’s the first thing I look for.
The location of The Grand Hotel National was perfect because it is only a 10-minute walk from the Lucerne train station and main attractions.
This allowed me to see everything I wanted without expensive taxi fares. As a solo female traveler, the central location also spared me from long walks through the streets alone at night to get to my room.
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The different rooms
I stayed in the Empire Junior Suite which was just as magnificent as it sounds.
A chandelier dazzled from above and glittered the room with a light that delicately touched the classical decor. The spacious bathroom, probably the size of one of the bedrooms in my apartment, made getting ready for each day a treat.
High-speed Wi-Fi was also included and there was a small office desk in the room which I used each night to plan out the following day of adventures.
I loved all the above features of the suite, but perhaps my favorite feature was the balcony.
Each morning you can draw back the curtains and step onto the balcony with an unobstructed view of Lake Lucerne.
With a morning espresso and newspaper – the newspaper service comes in a variety of languages and is left at your doorstep at a time you determine – you can watch the lake glisten beneath the impressive snow-capped mountains.
It’s a lovely way to start the day.
If the suite is too extravagant for your budget, the hotel offers standard rooms as well. October is a great time to visit and you can get standard rooms for about $200USD a night – not budget travel, but not outrageously expensive.
The wellness area
If you are looking for extra relaxation during your stay, the hotel boasts an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center.
Taking a dip is a great way to end the day. I even had an after-dinner-before-taking-night-photos-swim ritual happening each night during my stay (which I thoroughly miss now that I am back in my indoor pool-less apartment!)
There is also a spa offering massages and solarium.
Breakfast buffet
I LOVE hotel breakfasts. Being able to get a solid breakfast then go straight out into my adventures for the day is very convenient.
The large breakfast room at the Grand Hotel National will give you an awesome hotel breakfast. There’s a selection of fresh bread, meats, cheeses, cereals, yogurts, and juices to make a delicious morning meal.
Accompanied by a fresh coffee, it gave me enough energy to get through my days exploring.
I even discovered, albeit on my last day there, that you can order eggs and other dishes through the kitchen. I tried an omelet and wish I had got one every day, so again, I hope you can learn from my mistakes.
Travel tips from the staff
If you need any help planning your things to do, firstly, I recommend reading my posts on day trips to Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus and my solo travel guide with a list of things to do in Lucerne.
Secondly, I recommend asking the staff if you need any help with planning your days.
The staff helped me find the best ways to get to the top of the mountains on my day trips and the best example I have is when I asked: “Can you recommend a place for dinner, walking distance away, that has good Swiss food, possibly fondue and not too expensive.”
Well, look at me and my diva demands!
I thought it might have been too annoying of a request but, without hesitation, the gentleman had a place in mind and even gave me a google map of walking directions to get there.
The recommendation was spot on too and it was a wonderful place for dinner.
For other places to stay in Lucerne
If the Grand Hotel National is not your style, I recommend searching on Booking.com. I use this to book accommodation when I travel and can always find a good deal on there.
I hope my post on where to stay in Lucerne can help you plan your trip. It was a real treat to stay in a hotel with such helpful staff, delicious breakfasts, great facilities, and a fantastic location.
For more information:
Visit the Grand Hotel National Lucerne website
Follow their Instagram account for updates
If you found this useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!
I’m definitely imaging myself at this hotel heaven. I’m glad they cater to guests with all kinds of budgets. Sorry to hear about your dingy motel experience in Texas, but The Grand Hotel National definitely looks like they take pride in their pool and even offer a spa!
It was definitely a step up from the Texas experience! Such a wonderful place to stay!
This place looks amazing! I’ve never been to Switzerland but its somewhere i have always wanted to go. My sister lived in the French Alps so maybe I’ll go and find this place next time on my way to visit her!
That sounds like a great plan, I would love to see the French Alps one day too!
What a stunning hotel to be lucky enough to stay in. I am a big fan of Switzerland especially because of the mountains. I could definitely see myself laying by that pool in the afternoon after a very long day. I also like the fact that they donate money to charity, when you book directly with them.
Switzerland is such a wonderful place isn’t it! I fell in love completely and this hotel was the cherry on top of a great holiday!
Very decadent! I also always try to take into consideration the location of a hotel. Sometimes it’s better to pay a little more but to have everything within walking distance. The view from your balcony is very charming – I would definitely stay at the Grand Hotel National!
100% agree! I always prefer to pay more for a great location.
All the little touches are so regal. Love the chandelier and wall paper! Reminds me of royalty.
Yes, so royal! I felt like a queen there too!
Oh gee looks like you made yourself at home here hehe. I love your post dinner, pre sleep, pre shoot swim ritual. It was a heated indoor pool right? Lucerne is an amazing place, I loved it so much – Wish I had heard about this hotel before though. Looks fab!
Thank you, I definitely made myself a home here! The pool was heated and indoors so it was perfect for the evenings!
Lucern is such an amazing place and add this hotel and it’s probably mind blowing! What a great detailed description of your stay and it will definitely go on my list of accommodation next time I am in Switzerland.
Yay, so glad to be able to add something to your next trip!
I agree that location is key when choosing a good hotel, and I also think it’s worth it to spend a bit more for a comfortable night’s stay. Switzerland is probably way out of our price range anyway, but I do enjoy my armchair travels. Your photos are lovely!
Thank you so much for the sweet words and for armchair traveling with me! <3
It definitely looks like they named the Empire Junior Suite appropriately. I love the location overlooking the lake too!
So true and the view was truly incredible! Thank you for stopping by!
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