8/10 for the Château d'Ouchy
While strolling along Lake Geneva, the Château d'Ouchy does not go unnoticed. The stone building has been part of the Lausanne landscape since its construction in the 12th century. Passed into the hands of many owners who have given it various functions, the castle became a hotel at the end of the 19th century. Swiss cultural property of regional importance, this 4-star belongs to the Sandoz foundation which owns three other hotels in Lausanne, including the Beau-Rivage Palace, a few steps away.
9/10 The situation
A place for a walk with a view of the Alps, the Ouchy district is without doubt the most pleasant in Lausanne. To reach the train station or the city center in just five minutes, take the metro at Ouchy-Olympique station, just in front of the hotel. The CGN company pier from which boats leave for Évian-les-Bains, Vevey and Montreux is a few meters away. Finally, on the cultural side, the Olympic Museum and the Elysée Museum are only a five-minute walk away.
8/10 The decoration
In the rooms, no touch of madness for our greatest peace. Pastel tones dominate from floor to ceiling and drape furniture and bed linen. The exposed stone is a nod to the chivalrous past of the castle which, from the outside, preserves its neo-Gothic style.
»IN PICTURES - Visit of the Château d'Ouchy, in Lausanne
9/10 The rooms
With its 50 rooms, including 11 junior suites and 3 suites in the dungeon, the hotel aims to be discreet and family friendly. They mostly occupy the contemporary wings of the castle. The most spacious rooms - and the most beautiful for our taste - are located in the tower, the only surviving part of the original building. These rooms occupy the entire floor and are accessible by a private elevator. An electronic tablet placed on the desk provides information on the hotel services and places to visit in Lausanne. In terms of equipment, there is what you would expect from a hotel of this range: mini-bar, Nespresso machine, safe, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer. The little extra: an electrical plug adapter is available free of charge, the French plugs are not always compatible with the Swiss.
7/10 Service, equipment
On the first floor, there is a hammam and a sauna of three to four places each. Small and discreet, but perfectly suitable for a hotel with 50 rooms. We will take care to warn the reception before going there because these equipments are switched off when they are not occupied. The outdoor swimming pool is open from May to September. No spa, but guests of Château d'Ouchy can access the spa of the Cinq mondes of the neighboring Beau-Rivage Palace, at the preferential rate of 25 Swiss francs (20 €). Room and laundry services are offered.
8/10 At the table and at the bar
The 57 ° C Grill is an amazing place. With its “New York” open kitchen, cooking its piece of meat will have no secrets. Seeing the cooks running chronometers in every direction and regularly taking the temperature of the ribs on the grill is a spectacle in itself. Fish, some varieties of which are caught in Lake Geneva, are also available. However, we can regret that the vegetarian options are quite limited.
For more calm and light, we will settle under the veranda which faces the lake. Attached to the sense of sharing, the 57 ° C Grill practically only offers dishes to share. The portions are generous: a dish offered for two people would easily revive a third guest. By the way, why 57 ° C? "It's the perfect cooking temperature for meat," explains chef Sébastien Rauch.
As for the bar, you can't miss it: it occupies the entire lobby, to the point of leaving only a very small space for the reception. In addition to wines and cocktails, the bar sells cigars, including some Cuban and Dominican varieties. Every first Thursday of the month, tastings of Vaud wines are organized there in the presence of winegrowers.
8/10 Value for money
Let us not forget: we are in Switzerland. The prices are therefore high, but without falling into the unreasonable. Count at least 200 € per night in Superior Room and 300 € in junior suite. The “3 for 2” offer allows you to stay three nights for the price of two. A glass of prosecco and a late departure at 2 p.m. (if available) are offered if you book directly with the hotel. Breakfast costs € 30.
Château d'Ouchy, place du Port, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Phone: +41 21 331 32 32.