Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne

Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne, a Michelin One-Key property, consistently garners high praise for its blend of historic grandeur and modern luxury, offering an exceptional experience in Lausanne, Switzerland.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional" and "unforgettable." The hotel holds an "Exceptional" rating of 9.3 based on over 3,000 reviews on one platform, and a 9.2 rating on another. Reviewers often highlight the beautiful and clean environment, coupled with top-notch service. The hotel has also earned a "One MICHELIN Key" designation, signifying a very special stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests particularly love the Royal Savoy for several key aspects:

• Service & Staff: The staff is consistently described as polite, helpful, friendly, and going above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay.
• Location: The hotel boasts a prime location between Lake Geneva and the city center, offering easy access to attractions and public transport.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel beautifully balances "old-school glamour and quiet, assured luxury." Housed in an elegant Art Nouveau-style building with a new wing, it features impressive decor, including a grand central chandelier and art nouveau influences throughout.
• Amenities: The state-of-the-art Spa du Royal, with its huge 1500 m² area, indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, and fitness center, is a significant highlight. The Sky Lounge, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city, Lake Geneva, and the Alps, is also a highly praised amenity.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne are consistently described as luxurious, spacious, meticulously maintained, and tastefully decorated. They are equipped with amenities expected of a five-star luxury hotel, including coffee-making facilities, high-quality furnishings, and mini-bars with complimentary soft drinks. Many rooms offer stunning views of the city, Lake Geneva, or a park, with some featuring terraces or balconies. Bathrooms are often large, featuring heated marble floors, bathtubs, separate walk-in rain showers, and luxury toiletries like Bulgari. Beds are frequently referred to as "heavenly," providing a restful night's sleep. The hotel comprises two wings: the historic Savoy wing with lake or city views, and the contemporary Park wing, offering rooms with private balconies and park views.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers diverse dining options, including the Brasserie du Royal, the Sky Lounge, and a Lobby Lounge & Bar.

• Brasserie du Royal: This restaurant offers cuisine based on Swiss and local products with a Mediterranean flair, combining tradition and modernity in an elegant and convivial atmosphere. Guests praise the quality of food, with dishes like pâté en croûte and hearty root vegetables highlighted, and a generous breakfast buffet is served here.
• Sky Lounge: Located on the 7th floor, it provides spectacular 360° panoramic views over Lausanne, Lake Geneva, and the Alps, making it an ideal spot for sunset drinks. The average price for a meal here is around CHF 33.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is noted as generous and excellent, with quality food.
• All-day service: The hotel's all-day service provides delicious food that guests thoroughly enjoy.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne receive exceptional ratings, with a staff performance rating of 9.3. Guests consistently commend the staff for being polite, helpful, courteous, and very friendly. Many reviewers mention staff members going "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay. The prompt service is also appreciated. However, there was one mention of a swim-pool waitress having a bad attitude, contrasting with the general positive feedback for other staff.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel enjoys an "ideal location" between Lake Geneva and the city center of Lausanne. It is just a short distance from popular attractions like the Olympic Museum (9-minute walk) and the Lausanne Botanical Garden (5-minute walk). Public transportation is easily accessible, with the Délices metro stop right outside the hotel, connecting guests to the lakeside, central station, and inner city in minutes. Lausanne Railway Station is also a short distance away (approximately 900 meters or 0.8 km). The hotel offers secured, covered self-parking and valet parking on site.

7. Value & Pricing

While offering unparalleled luxury, the Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa is considered to provide "exceptional value for money" by some. With an average price of around $461 per room, it is higher than Lausanne's average hotel room price of $221, but for a 5-star property, it is seen as surprisingly affordable for the experience it delivers. Prices can vary, with a room costing around CHF 300 to CHF 500 depending on the season and specific offers. February is typically the cheapest month to stay, while August is the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Service Inconsistencies: One guest reported issues with housekeeping not replenishing toiletries or tissues, and a teacup not being washed. Another mentioned an unprofessional incident regarding deposit top-up while a "Do not disturb" sign was on.
• Room Size/View Expectations: A few guests felt the room could be bigger or that the lake view wasn't as good as expected, given the price.
• Spa Policies: While the spa is a highlight, the "adults only" policy and the fact that the sauna is a mixed, naked-only facility (though swimwear is allowed elsewhere in the spa) might be a point of consideration for some guests.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. michelin.com
4. wrapyourlipsaroundthis.com
5. hoteladvisorexpert.com
6. theswisspath.com
7. lhw.com
8. lhw.com
9. royalsavoylausanne.com
10. royalsavoylausanne.com
11. thefork.co.uk
12. restaurantguru.com
13. trip.com
14. expedia.com
15. trip.com
16. hotels.com
17. kayak.com