The Hotel des Balances stands on the Weinmarkt, one of the Old Town's historic squares, with the Reuss river flowing past its back. It is among the best-placed hotels in the city for visitors who want to be inside the old quarter, since the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower and the town hall are all within a couple of minutes' walk. The house belongs to the row of old merchant buildings around the square, and its name means the Scales, a fitting name for a hotel on an old trading square. Inside, the hotel is a comfortable mid-size property with a river-facing restaurant and a bar, and rooms that are decorated in a contemporary style within the historic shell. The setting is the draw: you step out into a pedestrian square, and the lanes, shops and cafés of the Old Town surround you.
Location and getting around
This is as central as Lucerne gets. The Chapel Bridge is a minute away, the Kornmarkt and the Rathaus are next door and the lake promenade is a short stroll through the lanes. The railway station is about ten minutes on foot, and the boat piers are close to it, so you can reach the trains and the lake easily without a car.
The Spreuer Bridge and the Musegg Wall are within a pleasant walk. Because the square is traffic-free, access by taxi is limited, so check the hotel's arrival instructions if you have heavy luggage, and ask about parking, since the Old Town has few spaces and nearby garages are the usual solution.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms vary in size and layout because the building is historic, so request a larger or river-facing room if space or the view matters. A river outlook or a view over the square is a highlight, though rooms on the square can pick up noise on busy evenings, so ask for a quiet room if you sleep lightly. Breakfast terms and exact facilities vary by rate, so check what is included before you book. The restaurant is open to non-guests and has a river-facing terrace in good weather.
Who it suits
Couples, history lovers and first-time visitors who want to stay in the middle of the Old Town and walk everywhere. It is a good choice for short stays built around the city rather than the mountains, because you can step out after breakfast and be at the bridge in a minute. Families are welcome, though smaller rooms and the lack of a car park may suit couples better than large parties.
In the evenings, the lit bridge and the quiet lanes after the day trippers have gone are part of the appeal, and rates in the colder months are often lower than in summer. Book early for weekends, concerts at the KKL and the festival season, when the Old Town fills quickly.
Why stay here
- ✓Old Town Weinmarkt location
- ✓Riverside setting on the Reuss
- ✓River-view rooms
- ✓Restaurant with river outlook
- ✓Bar
- ✓Walk to the Chapel Bridge
- ✓Pedestrian square location
- ✓Historic building
Good questions
Where is the Hotel des Balances?+
It is on the Weinmarkt square in the Old Town, beside the Reuss river and a minute or two from the Chapel Bridge.
How far is it from the station?+
About ten minutes on foot through the Old Town, and the boat piers are close to the station.
Is there parking?+
Parking is limited in the traffic-free Old Town, so ask the hotel about its arrival and parking arrangements before you drive.
