Hôtel Palafitte
Hotel · Neuchatel ·
Overwater bungalows with lake access, Nespresso & whirlpool tubs
Information
Rte des Gouttes-d'Or 2, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Get directions
$$$
Overwater bungalows with lake access, Nespresso & whirlpool tubs
Rte des Gouttes-d'Or 2, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Get directions
$$$
"Set on Lake Neuchâtel about 45 minutes from Bern, this lakeside escape brings the spirit of overwater bungalows to Switzerland with stilted “Lake” pavilions whose private terraces have ladders for morning swims in glass‑green water, plus 14 nearly identical “Shore” pavilions set back from the lake that add views of the Alps. Open all year except December, it’s high‑tech and contemporary rather than a Maldivian replica, its concept inspired by the region’s prehistoric stilt dwellings and originally built to draw stares at the 2002 Swiss National Exhibition; steel stilts hold futuristic boxes with unobstructed lake views, developed in collaboration with students from the EHL Hospitality Business School. In summer, guests take to kayaks, paddle boards, water‑skis, and boats; in winter, they enjoy a MICHELIN restaurant, glittering views, and in‑room spa treatments, with a permanent spa and more tech upgrades on the way. Regulars even request specific pavilions for sunset angles or a favored bird‑landing spot, and with only two room categories—Lake and Shore—choosing is straightforward; couples come to unwind, while business travelers use it as a refined base near the watch factories. Sustainability runs deep: 100% renewable hydropower, herbs grown on site for the restaurant and bar, and kitchen waste converted into renewable energy. Ultimately, it’s location, location, location—one of Europe’s most architecturally creative hotels making spectacular use of its setting and introducing travelers to the joys of Lake Neuchâtel." - Mitchell Friedman
"In the first of those, we stayed at Hôtel Palafitte, a cluster of bungalows fanned out over Lake Neuchâtel which, in addition to being exceedingly beautiful, owned at that time the distinction of being the only hotel in Europe built on stilts."
"Hôtel Palafitte is a South Pacific-style overwater bungalow hotel, located not in the Maldives but on the waters of Switzerland’s Lake Neuchâtel." - Le Guide MICHELIN
"Perfect for those with no taste for the tropics, or anyone who appreciates an inventive and inspiring hotel, Hôtel Palafitte is a South Pacific-style overwater bungalow hotel, located not in the Maldives but on the waters of Switzerland’s Lake Neuchâtel, at the foot of the Jura mountains, with a stunning view of the Alps across the lake. Completed just in time for the Swiss Expo.02, this is an utterly futuristic execution of a timeless concept. After all, farmers lived in houses on stilts above the waters of this very lake some five thousand years ago — but never quite like this." - Le Guide MICHELIN
"The Hotel Palafitte offers you individual luxury pavilions with breathtaking views of Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps, half of which are built on piles directly in the lake. Each pavilion is 68 m² in size and is equipped with a spa bath, a Nespresso coffee machine, air-conditioning, free internet access and free wireless internet. The private terrace of the pavilions built on the water offer you direct access to the lake. The elegant restaurant La Table de Palafitte offers you refined Swiss and local cuisine." - My Boutique Hotel (en)