Lausanne, SwitzerlandOuchy
Château d'Ouchy
Neo-Gothic lakeside castle
Ouchy Lausanne, Switzerland
Renovated
2023
Price
$$$
Rated for
Heritage Design LuxeOutside the door
The house
Sandoz Foundation HotelsNeo-Gothic lakeside castle
The hotel runs as a romantic waterfront castle, with a sunlit terrace on the lake and cocktails among medieval stone walls.
“The Chateau has welcomed travelers since the 19th century, when Lord Byron and Percy Shelley came to Lake Geneva for poetic inspiration, opium, and sex.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A twelfth-century bishop's keep wrapped in nineteenth-century Neo-Gothic turrets along Lake Geneva.
Listed
Contemporary cream interiors contrast with gargoyles and carved ceilings in the medieval tower.
Listed
Lakeside rooms set behind floor-to-ceiling windows looking toward the Alps and calm water.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
The interior accommodations reflect the castle’s majestic and storied history. Rooms are spacious and feature massive floor-to-ceiling windows framed by ornately patterned curtains.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The Ouchy promenade runs along the lakeshore just outside, and the nearby metro connects directly to central Lausanne.
The rooms
Bedrooms are finished in warm cream and taupe tones. Tower suites in the medieval keep preserve original carved ceilings and stained glass.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The heated outdoor pool sits in the private garden under mature trees, lined with loungers facing the castle.
The spa
Le Boudoir hosts massages and facials developed in partnership with Swiss skincare brand Alpeor.
Sauna and steam
Tiered wooden benches line the Finnish sauna, which sits alongside a hammam and sensory shower.
The Bar
The bar serves house cocktails and Swiss wines against exposed stone masonry, with an adjoining room for billiards.
At the table
The 57° Grill prepares meat and seafood over an open fire, with dining tables extending onto the lakeside terrace.
How it began
Industrialist Jean-Jacques Mercier bought the ruined bishop's fortress in 1885, preserving only its medieval tower to build the hotel.
Lausanne
More like this
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Hôtel Angleterre
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.