Château d'Ouchy
Neo-Gothic castle meets chic contemporary Swiss hotel. Pastel tones, warm light, and smart wood floors sit alongside exposed stone walls and historic beams. The lobby rotates art by local Lausanne artists. Casual but polished — the 57° Grill staff wear jeans and Stan Smiths, not stiff uniforms.
Pre-order a whole roasted chicken when booking the 57° Grill — spit-roasted birds take 40–60 minutes, but they can have yours ready the moment you sit down if you call ahead.
Why It Matters
It's one of the very few actual medieval castle hotels in Switzerland where you sleep in the building, not just near it. The Tower suites in the original dungeon are a genuinely rare experience. The hotel holds Swiss cultural heritage status of regional importance and is listed as a cultural landmark — unusual for an operating 4-star hotel. It's also the closest hotel to Lake Geneva's shoreline in Lausanne.
A genuine 12th-century castle sitting directly on the shores of Lake Geneva — and yes, it actually looks like that. The neo-Gothic exterior with its tower and pointed arches is the real deal, built for the Bishop of Lausanne in 1177 and radically rebuilt into a hotel in the 1890s. Inside, the 49 rooms span the full spectrum from compact, contemporary Superior rooms to the jaw-dropping 100m² Knight's Suite with gargoyles, stained-glass windows, period tapestries, and a high wooden ceiling. The castle's history runs deep: there's a plaque commemorating the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, signed here after World War I.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Lake-View Room
The sweet spot for most guests: 24–35m² with an unobstructed east-facing view of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Spacious layout, contemporary furnishings in cream, beige, and chocolate tones. Guests who opt for these consistently say they're tempted to just stay in and look at the lake all day.
29 sqm
Deluxe Room
At 24–35m², these are noticeably more spacious — and some feature exposed ancient stone walls and four-poster beds that genuinely make you feel like you've stepped into a castle. Available in East, South, and West-facing orientations. This is where the building's character starts to show.
29 sqm
Junior Suite
Ten of these, each one slightly different. The contemporary-wing Junior Suites have a sleek modern aesthetic; some in the historic wing feature exposed beams. All sit at 45m² and face the lake, garden, or port. This is the jump into real suite living — separate sitting areas, higher ceilings, and a genuine sense of space.
45 sqmKnight's Suite
The most extraordinary room in the hotel. A full 100m² in the historic castle tower, surrounded by gargoyles, original wood panelling, vibrant stained-glass windows, period tapestries, and a magnificent high wooden ceiling. Few hotels anywhere in the world can genuinely claim to offer a room like this. It faces the port to the North, East, and West.
100 sqmRiviera Suite
At 45m², the Riviera Suite punches above its size with an extraordinary 360-degree panoramic view over the shores of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. The décor is authentic neo-Gothic 19th century — this is what the castle looked like when it was first transformed from medieval fortress to hotel residence. South and North facing.
45 sqmSuperior Lake-View Room
Same footprint as the Superior (20–24m²), but facing east over Lake Geneva. The view is the upgrade here — waking up to the Alps and the lake framed in your window is the reason many guests choose this category. The rooms themselves are compact; it's the outlook that earns the premium.
22 sqmSuperior Room
The entry point — 20–24m² with pastel tones, warm lighting, and seriously comfortable bedding. Views face the town, garden, or courtyard. Don't expect Lake Geneva from here, but the rooms are modern, calm, and very well finished for the size.
22 sqmTerrace Suite
A 65m² suite with the largest private terrace in the hotel — overlooking Ouchy harbour, with a king-size 200x200 bed (which can split into two singles on request). The bespoke designer furniture keeps it contemporary without losing the castle feeling. Works well for families too: the living room can be fitted with one or two extra beds.
King (200x200, convertible to two singles) · 65 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Bikes available to hire for exploring the lakeside promenades and surrounding area. Lake Geneva's shoreline paths are flat and well-maintained.
Full billiards table in the Castle Bar — available for guests and bar visitors.
Hands-on cocktail masterclass sessions run by the hotel's bar team. Available for private groups and events.
The hotel hosts regular life-size game nights in the castle garden, including Werewolf-style social deduction games. A recurring event listed on the hotel's events calendar.
The hotel concierge can arrange guided visits to the terraced Lavaux vineyards — a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Lausanne. Also arranges visits to Château de Chillon and the medieval village of Yvoire by boat.
The hotel operates a private electric boat for lake excursions on Lake Geneva. A genuinely memorable way to see the Ouchy waterfront from the water.
Local Lausanne artists display and sell their work in a rotating exhibition within the hotel lobby. The exhibition changes regularly and highlights the city's creative community.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Multiple seminar rooms available including the Vinotheque (8–15 people) and larger event spaces. The hotel holds a certified sustainable event management system (ISO 20121:2024 / EarthCheck Venue Check).
Complimentary wireless internet throughout the property.
Room service available. Guests note the menu is fairly limited; the on-site restaurant is the better option.
Teak-decked terrace facing Lake Geneva, used for outdoor dining in summer and popular for afterwork sessions.
Tree-shaded private outdoor pool open May through end of September, 7am–8pm. Complimentary for hotel guests.
While the hotel's own gym is under renovation, guests have complimentary access to the Beau-Rivage Palace fitness facilities next door — a notably high-calibre gym. Open daily 6:30am–10pm.
Full concierge service. Staff are consistently noted for local knowledge, recommending restaurants and arranging excursions.
Pets allowed with an additional charge of CHF 25 per night.
Gift vouchers available for hotel stays and Boudoir spa treatments via the hotel's e-guma shop.
Since 2022, all electricity comes from renewable hydropower. Organic kitchen waste is converted to clean energy via BioEcoEnergie SA. EarthCheck Silver certified; Swisstainable Level III.
All guests receive a complimentary Lausanne public transport card valid for the duration of their stay, covering the M2 metro and bus network.
Electric vehicle charging stations available on site.
Very limited on-site parking spaces. Not reservable in advance — first come, first served.
Sauna, hammam, and sensory shower in a dedicated wellness area. Open 7am–10pm daily. Complimentary for hotel guests.
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