Château Gütsch

We dined in the bar and restaurant and enjoyed the gorgeous view. The hotel reminds me of the Beauty and the Beast castle and has modern interior touches amidst the older castle feel. The bar boasts great views and we had drinks and appetizers there. Then we had a group dinner at Restaurant Lumieres and had a pre-selected menu. The burrata was amazing and the fish was very good. We did have a few hiccups where one cannelloni was not prepared (even after submitting all the orders ahead of time) yetthey quickly made another one. The service was good and they always kept the drinks filled and brought out the courses at the right time. I cannot speak to the hotel rooms however the views from the bar, patio and restaurant were breathtaking!

Amazing location and splurged a bit for the nicer rooms. Very swanky place. Love the fact that breakfast was included but make sure when they ask if you want fried eggs to say yes. We made the mistake of saying we will wait for our friends and they never came back. Lol When going to the city make sure to pin where the elevator entrance is or you will be making a long hike back up some stairs. We made this mistake and sobered up quick.

Ursula LeGuin described the fictional city of Omelas as a paradise whose existence depends on a single child being trapped in darkness and misery. Something similar could be said about Chateau Gutsch: It is doubtless a beautiful and luxurious hotel with a wonderful view of Lucerne and the surrounding lake and mountains. But it bills itself as having a funicular that allows you to easily scale the side of the mountain from the city centre. During our visit of 3 days, we tried to ride the funicular 9 times and it was broken 4 of those times, the last time in a very scary way (see below). But here's the main issue: When we arrived, we had heavy luggage and got to the funicular station, but one of them was obviously broken and closed, while the other didn't seem to be moving. We heard intermittent alarms buzz but the funicular never arrived. Eventually, a technician arrived with a wrench and worked for 5 minutes until a door opened, and a shaken-looking man stumbled out of the funicular door, which had been trapping him inside. In retrospect this should have raised more flags, but we blithely believed the hotel when they told us the issue had been solved that evening. We had to take a taxi to the hotel for about 25 francs instead. The next day, the funicular was broken again in the evening and still the next morning. The hotel didn't have a shuttle in the evening, so we had to climb up the side of the mountain even though we'd already been out walking all day and were pretty tired. The next morning they did have a shuttle operating. Then, on the day we were checking out, we got into the funicular for one last trip, when the doors closed on us - and did not reopen! The display showed "out of order" in German, and my wife and I were trapped in a small box. Others gathered outside, waiting for the funicular, but they couldn't see or hear us. We felt a bit like ghosts. We wondered if the funicular was airtight or if we needed to breathe more shallowly. I tried to call the hotel, but my phone couldn't get any signal. My wife's phone managed to get through and called the hotel. They said they would call SuisseBahn, who would have to come fix it. We used the emergency button, but it just called someone on a call line at SB who said someone was looking into it and hung up on us (just what you want when you're trapped and your whole life is flashing in front of your eyes). I'm mildly claustrophobic, but we tried to keep it together...for 30 minutes, until some SB employees showed up and started looking at the door. They went back and forth for 10 minutes, looking at things and discussing the situation in a tone which did not sound very confident. Apparently they didn't have the right wrench to open it, and eventually they used a crowbar to pry the door open a little bit. Between the 3 of them and both of us, we managed to pull the door open enough for us to both jump out. When we got back to the hotel, they completely refused to take any responsibility and said it was SuisseBahn's problem. Yet the hotel's customers and staff are the vast majority of riders on the funicular. If they admitted that it doesn't work consistently they would have to lower their prices to compensate guests who will have to take taxis up and down the mountain. The apparently amazing deal is too good to be true, at least for us and the two other guests who were trapped during the 3 days we stayed there. It might not happen to you, but please incorporate this pattern of failures into your decision-making before booking here! (Also, our AC was broken during the peak of summer, and they never fixed it despite us asking twice. But that's minor compared to the experience on the funicular.)

Not worth the view. The view from our corner room was spectacular. We recommend a visit to their lovely bar which has the same view. But we would never stay here again. The room was lovely but outdated, and we had to leave the windows open because it was warm. No AC. No screens on the windows and we had to share our room with many of the local insects. The hotel is a 20 minute walk from Old Town and all of the main attractions. The walk was through an undesirable neighborhood, and the public bus was less than appealing. We had a terrible experience our last night at the hotel. They neglected to notify us that they booked a private party for a large corporation, and this party took over the bar, the terrace, and the main courtyard of the hotel. It was our last night and we came back to the hotel early to pack, and to have drinks and desert in their wonderful bar. We were told we could not use the bar or the other public outside seating areas due to the party. Furthermore, they had a loud band that played until after 11:30 PM and we had to leave our windows open due to the lack of AC at the hotel. We could not sleep and the music was so loud we couldn't concentrate on reading or TV. We talked to the staff and the manager, and everyone was unhelpful and ungracious. (Note that the staff at this hotel is quite limited, with no concierge. There was usually only one front desk staff member, and they were often confusing and limited in providing us information and guidance regarding Lucerne. Go for the view and have a drink at the bar - but we suggest you avoid an overnight stay.

This hotel is located on top of a hill with an amazing view of the coty of Luzerne. It has an easy access to a tram that will take you to the street level when you're ready to explore the town. The rooms are well kept, clean and has a vintage feel to it. A boutique hotel that is visited by many.

This hotel definitely oozed charm, and the staff at the front desk was incredibly friendly. Taking the trolley up the hill was practically straight out of a Wes Anderson film as was the picture views and the look of the building sitting on the hillside. All that said, there were enough issues to warrant the three stars, and I don't think we'd stay here again. The rooms are small, but we expected that - but with paper thin walls we could hear our neighbor next door who unfortunately was sick both mornings. While I can sympathize, it's not fun waking up to. And the wifi just didn't work in most places in the hotel. The windows don't have screens but needed to be opened for a slight breeze (supposedly our room just had the AC installed but it wouldn't turn on). Unfortunately, without screens we had some bugs flying in and noise from the restaurant courtyard. And despite signs everywhere staying that the hotel was completely smoke free, everyone smoked in the courtyard and resulted in smoke in our room. We tried room service one night and the burger from the bar was great but we had inedible gnocchi that was undercooked resulting in a gummy/flour texture. The walk from the hotel to the bridge, the train station, etc was all easy (or a quick bus ride). So while it was nice being outside of town, we had too many things go wrong on our stay.

A must see. It's a quick ride on the number 2 bus and then up the picturesque tram to the "White Castle". Even without a reservation, we were given an outside table with an amazing view. The food was great as was the service. The staff was fun, genuine and helped us with our limited German. It's spendy and worth it. We tried world class versions of gnocchi, salad, grilled veggies, filet and a toblerone dessert I didn't even attempt to pronounce. To note, the cappuccino was perfect and I would come back to enjoy another with the stellar view. A reservation is recommended, but not always necessary.

We stayed here for two nights. The views of Luzern were stunningly beautiful. The city is small so it is easy to walk to all the points of interest. The hotel itself was perched atop a hill so had amazing views. The decor was traditional but modern. I loved their tub/shower. It was a great stay and I would definitely stay there again. I loved taking the funicular up to the hotel. The bar/restaurant had amazing views.

After reserving a table for three people for drinks we were not lead to our table and was asked if we had reserved this table after being told to sit there. After ordering three drinks one was forgotten, the mojito had sugar sitting in the bottom of the drink as a consequence of not being stirred long enough, and the wine was not allowed to be tasted before excepting the glass. The service is just simply not up to par.

So much to say about this hotel and restaurant. First, the hotel. We stayed twice. Our first room had a balcony overlooking the city. The room was nicely furnished with a work space and small sitting area. The bathroom is updated with two sinks, shower/tub combination and the usual personal care items. Towels are very nice and include a face towel! The closet has real hangers for tops and pants, shelves, a safe and mini-fridge with free water, soda, juice and one beer. This room was very warm for us and we opened the balcony door from time to time to cool off. Television has English language news channels and if lucky another type of English language program. There is a spot light on the terrace below that illuminated the room, even with curtains closed, until midnight. It wasn't bright enough to prevent sleep. The room during our second stay was a bit larger, no balcony and a cute little reading nook as well as the work space, with similar closet and bath. The fabrics and furniture details in this hotel are outstanding. Each person has their own feather comforter with duvet and feather pillow. These were a bit 'flat' for our taste. I folded mine over and we asked housekeeping for an extra. There is also a large bolster pillow for reading in bed. Switches next to the bed shut off the overhead light. The lobby includes a small sitting area near the elevator. Just off the lobby is a large Saloon decorated beautifully in velvet and chandeliers. A bar, also off the lobby, is quite cozy with wonderful city views. They have a large selection of in-house crafted cocktails and local beer. In winter the bar is open only in the evening. Downstairs is a large restaurant, also with great views of the city and a large terrace. Breakfast is served here for hotel guests and open to the public from lunch through dinner. There is another comfortable seating area outside the restaurant just past the public rest rooms. We dined here twice and found the staff to be professional and friendly and the food presentation and quality excellent. Many people come up the funicular for the 'Business Lunch' special or a coffee and dessert to enjoy the views. The hotel provided us with a pass to use the funicular during out first 'two night' stay. The funicular is unmanned and works like an elevator. Press the button near the door to call the funicular to your location. At the bottom, turn right and walk straight to reach the old town area. The breakfast buffet included coffees, teas, juices, pancakes, bacon, sausage, beans, omelet, scrambled and soft boiled eggs. A selection of breads, cold cuts, cheeses, yogurts, fruit salad, musli, cereals, fresh fruits, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, olives and other savories. There were both cold and warm milk available and a variety of 'sides' like honey, salt & pepper, butter and soft cheese. We were at breakfast just after 7am each day. I'm not sure if the selection dwindles as the morning wanes. We found the hotel to be very clean and comfortable. The staff were all friendly and polite. Each space is well thought out and the hotel is fun to explore with stained glass windows in the stairway and torches in the basement halls. Originally a fairy tale home, re-imagined as a hotel, a visit to Chateau Guetsch is a definite must when in Lucerne.

We were planning our summer roadtrip and decided to driving to Italy from Amsterdam. We wanted to take one night in Switzerland and decided on Luzern. We found Hotel Chateau Gutsch online and it looked nice. Location: Good - it's located up on the mountain which gives you an amazing view. Although the hotel is on the mountain it's very easy to get to the old town center which is about a 10 minute walk. Arrival: You pull up to the parking lot and see the hotel which looks like an old castle. You walk down some stairs to come to the lobby. Bellman: None so be prepared to carry your own bags. Parking: In front of the hotel and free. Reception/Front Desk: The front desk is one desk with one person (sometimes two when busy). Lobby: Very small but proportionate to the size of the hotel. There are a couple of couches to sit. Room: We had room 22 and it was very nice and simple. View: The view from our room was amazing. We had one balcony which you could see all of Luzern. Bed: The king bed was fine and comfortable. Bathroom: The bathroom is simple. Shower in the tub with two sinks. Hair dryer: Regular hair dryer which you could find in the closet. Products: The White Company products which was nice. FYI - it's a shampoo and conditioner combo so it you're like me and have long hair and need a separate conditioner make sure you bring your own. Coffee Maker: No coffee maker in the room. Closet: Good size closet. Safe: Standard safe in the closet. Control Panel: None. Just a remote control for the TV. Minibar: Very limited with two bottled waters, one beer, one Coke, and one bottle of orange juice, but all free. Mirrors: Large mirror in the bathroom and full length mirrors on the closet doors. Housekeeping: Fine. Wifi: Free wifi with good speed. You can watch YouTube videos with no problem. Dining: We didn't eat dinner on property, but had a drink in the terrace which was lovely with the view. We ordered a Coke and beer. Unfortunately my beer came out quite warm. We did have the breakfast buffet which we found was very disappointing. There were limited choices and not what you expect in a hotel in Europe of that rating. Spa/Gym/Pool: No spa, gym or pool on property. Concierge: Concierge is the same as the person at the front desk. Our guy was very helpful. Style: Old romantic castle. Service: Overall the service is good. Other: Three things: 1) The hotel backs up to a forest which was pretty awesome. If you're a runner or a hiker bring your gear and take advantage of it. It was a great place for a morning walk with our dog. 2) If you are staying at the hotel in the summer just know that they do not have air conditioning. In the evenings you have to be careful with the bugs when you open your windows. We had the light on in the room and within minutes had a bug infestation with the biggest bugs I've ever seen. We had to call the front desk and someone came with bug spray to kill all of them which was a bit gross. They tell you to open your windows with your light off which is a bit inconvenient unless you're ready to go to bed. I know there's nothing the hotel can do about the bugs, but just be prepared. 3) They have a funicular from the hotel which goes down to the street level. You have to buy tickets from the hotel front desk. Dog Friendly? Yes - Dog friendly! Pet fee is 30 CHF (Swiss Franc). They give you a welcome gift on arrival of a box with food in it. Would I go back? Yes, I would stay there again in the future if I was in Luzern.

Happy that we took the funicular up to this beautiful bar in the Chateau Gutsch. The bartender was so charming and while the drinks were a bit more expensive than by the lake, the breathtaking view made it worth it. Definitely go here!

We took the tram number 2 or 12 to Gütsch. Once you come out you walk a block and will see a unmarked entrance to he funicular. Once you figure out how to get in you get a ride up to the hotel. The hotel was great. Great views and very classic looking. We went to the bar which has great views of Lucerne. Might be the best views of the city. The bartenders were great. They made a great old fashioned. A variation of the classic recipe by all the same a great cocktail. They had a small menu where you can get snacks and such.

The bar at this hotel was awesome. Beautiful views of the city, lake and mountains. Variety of comfortable seating. Just the trip up to the hotel where the bar is located is an adventure as one can take the funicular (like an outdoor elevator) from near the bus stop. Walking around this old world style historic property is fun as well. Service was good, worth a 1-2 hour visit for sure.

Just had drinks We decided to hike up to the hotel for drinks to watch the sunset. We were told by our hotel that there was a tram to the hotel, but the only one we saw was for guests only. We hiked up the walkway which took about 10-15 minutes. It is steep so if you are out of shape or have issues walking, this walk is not for you. When we finally got up there, the view was worth the hike. The bartender didn't come to us for another 10. Once we got service, the drinks options are endless. We both stuck to beer and there were great options. The shifts must have changed because the new bartender was much more attentive and caring. We had 2 more beers and headed back down the hill. If you are looking for somewhere with great views (Lake, town and Alps) come here!

We loved staying here! Make sure to stop by the bar to take in the views of the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend Château Gütsch if you're staying in Lucerne.

Most magical view right from our balcony!! They upgraded us and we couldn't be happier. Honestly the hotel staff are so accommodating and helpful! The room is beautiful and bathroom is stunning. The food is delicious (the included breakfast has been the same for the past two days and is alright) but the dinner and snacks we ate at the restaurant were delicious! My only tiny downside is that our room is hot but they provide a fan and it's been +85°F so it's understandable. All in all, wonderful experience here!

Beautiful hotel. Clean rooms and great view. Breakfast included was a plus. Not far from all the shops and restaurants. Bar in hotel has fabulous cocktails and great ambiance.

Invest a 10 minutes walk up the stairs from Pilatusplatz and you'll find yourself in this wonderful castle with an amazing view over the area. Hotel, Restaurant and Bar are furnished lovingly in vintage style. Amuse Bouches and drinks at the bar are available from 10 SFr. Stay inside or seat yourself outside on one of several terraces, equipped with chairs and tables, loungy areas and sunbeds.

Four stars only for the spectacular building and location. The views over the City of Lucerne are amazing even though on our visit it was very overcast. This is much vaunted elegant Chateau Gutsch so my husband and I made the effort to dress nicely for Sunday lunch.. Most other guests did too so I was surprised when the staff seated a table of four near us, one of whom sported shorts and a T shirt proclaiming him to be a "Bad Ass" .. And no, he was not 16 but a grown man ! Personally I was surprised that the restaurant of this quality does not exercise a dress code. The "Bad Ass " T shirt and what looked gym shorts were a brave choice as I would also like to mention that there was a brisk wind blowing on a very cool day... Summer is over. It was definitely cooler autumn weather but no heating was on in the restaurant and the stone floors were... Stone cold..brrrr! I mentioned it to the waiter but it did nt get any warmer. There was a Degustation Menu or a la carte to choose from so i chose an entree and Mains from the Degustation Menu. My delicate entree of Comfit of watermelon with yoghurt and goats cheese from Stans came prettily presented but i am still not sure about the purpose of the sorbet in the middle. . We both chose the Duo of entrecôte and rib steak with grilled baby corn to follow but neither the meat or the accompaniments were remarkable. My husband had ordered a wonderful 2008 Echezeaux Pinot noir so no dessert and we finished the wine and the meal with a cheese platter . In conclusion, this was not an inexpensive meal. In Lucerne there are a choice of several more than excellent restaurants, some also with extraordinary views. I have to say that we have eaten better there for the same money. Today s lunch was disappointing by comparison.

Just stopped in for a coffee and cake after a hike up the hill. What an incredible view! I was able to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy my snack with an amazing scenery as my companion. I would have gladly paid double for this opportunity and would highly recommend.

Situated at the end of a short (2 minute) funicular ride with commanding views of Lucerne (the city and the lake), this elegant hotel, restaurant & bar is a pleasurable respite from the bustle of the city. We only went for cocktails and the charming bar with plenty of windows offered a variety of cocktails, traditional and au courant. I assume that the restaurant and hotel are likely as delightful as was our cocktail bar experience. Not cheap but the experience was well worth it.

Did a 10 day trip across Switzerland and this by far was my favorite hotel. We got there early and they were nice enough to let us check in early and upgraded us to a beautiful view of the city. It was so nice to feel so far away yet such a close easy walk to downtown. The beds were comfortable. You can tell by the details there is pride in this hotel and it is very well maintained. It has such a historic feel with all the modern comforts that I love. The employees were friendly. And the breakfast was delicious. I would highly recommend this place to everyone and hope to make it back to this hotel again...

This place and the Town ,down to the chocolate chip ice cream, was one of my favorite life time experiences.Um the raqulet also

What a beautiful view of beautiful Luzerne. Famous place, and rightly so. For you pedestrians, take the bahn, or electric tram up from street level. Gotta go for a drink and the view. I have not stayed here, but I am sure that the rooms are small, cozy and impeccably clean and neat. Some with the view from heaven.

The biggest mistake you'll make visiting Lucerne is not coming here. Do yourself a favor and grab pre-dinner drinks at the happy hour. The views are stunning, the atmosphere is baller, and they have a legit bar with outstanding drinks. It's pretty much got everything you need. We admittedly only went to the bar, so can't comment on the restaurant or food, but can't say enough good things about the bar right off the lobby.

Beautiful view even on a cloudy day!! The reason I wanted to go here was because of the view and the history/story of the location. We ate during lunchtime, dinner might be better. For lunch we had calamari, caesar salad, burger with bacon, cheese and friend egg, and fries and some kind of desert that was a special that day. Lunch was savory. The wait staff was excellent and made sure we were taken care of throughout the meal. If you are are in Luzern, go here!

This beautiful hotel is totally worth the steep walk. It is tucked into the mountain and the patio offers gorgeous views. We stopped in for coffee and the menu looked decent for meals as well. Make the trip, you won't be disappointed!

The food we had tonight was AMAZING - I had an awesome salmon appetizer and the yummy lamb main course, while my husband had the Greek salad and gold bag (meat in a baked pastry bag), then we shared the tablerone mousse dessert. The gold bag was the only thing I wouldn't give top ratings to, and that is just because the meat was not as flavorful as everything else we had. We were each brought a complimentary cold cucumber amouse Bouche, and it was fantastic. I am SO full. The prices are steep (by my standards), but when you compare the quality of this meal, to paying 30 Swiss francs for a burger and fries, or 32 Swiss francs for some bread and boiled potatoes dunked in melted cheese, you realize this is definitely worth it. The views are spectacular, the hotel itself is stunning, and the service was above average (one waitress was clearly cranky, the other 4 people who helped us over the evening were great). I do have to complain about the ridiculous practice of charging 9 Swiss francs for a bottle of basic water, and another 9 when we needed more. All in all, a very pleasant experience.

This place is ah-mazing. Service at the bar was excellent. Great presentations on drinks. Great standards and list of specialty drinks. Our service was top noch (breakfast was a little less than welcoming but they were very busy and the people I was with were a little picky about where to sit). Rooms are all really really neat. Some huge, some have weird layouts, some a little smaller... All of them were different but all had great views and balconies. The view was unbelievable. There is a tram. Get your tickets at the front desk (2.50ea). Be sure to get two (one down and one up) unless you want to walk back up the mountain. It is doable but if you are going down in to the city to have dinner and end up having a few drinks you probably want to take the tram. You can buy some in the city but two of the vending machines were not working. If you use a card make sure it has a chip. Otherwise coins only. Staff was unbelievably friendly and helpful. This place is great. Treat yourself for a night.

Old hotel with very nice view of Luzern, renovated yet very, very old- you would think Russian Billionaire would invest a little more to make it truly spectacular, like the website advertises. I'm not one to write reviews, however, it should be noted that the staff don't seem to know what they are doing! Ordered a 1/2 bottle of champagne for room service, never came, 40 minutes later called back, the guy said "oh yeah, you never gave me your room number"! Of course he didn't ask, later explains his screen is broke on the phone as if I'm supposed to know. The waiter for dinner, forget it. Very basic bad Italian food, no knowledge of the menu- I ordered the parmigiana, he said "which one"? He poured a little wine in my glass for a taste test on a screw cap Pinot noir I could go on & on, really not worth it at all. Just take a walk up to see the view, max aperitivo, but don't stay, plenty of other- more central options. Ps. The nice reviews you read are because they offer free champagne to those who write a review and post a pic.