REVIEW | Hotel du Raisin in Lausanne

After the year 2021 without visiting my sister Florence in Zug in Switzerland, I finally returned to the Confoederatio Helvetica in March 2022. I stayed over a week. More than a family visit, I organised an excursion to French-speaking Switzerland, also known as Romandy to visit Maxime and the vineyards of Lavaux in the canton of Vaud, near Lausanne. I also booked a journey on the world-famous Glacier Express from Sankt Moritz to Brig. Furthermore, I looked for a nice way in and out. The ÖBB Nightjet night train from Amsterdam to Zurich and the voyage home via Lyon in France.

Switzerland being expensive – yes, even for the Swiss – and this being a semi-solo trip, I looked at prices. Hotel du Raisin offered a good mix of a decent offering and an okay price. ‘Only’ a two-star hotel, it offered a good rating on Booking. Intriguingly, when I actually stayed at the hotel, it didn’t take Booking bookings anymore.

Presentation and check-in

Hotel du Raisin is located above Café du Raisin and Restaurant du Raisin. It’s on a corner of the Place de la Palud, featuring Lausanne City Hall.

Check-in was very informal, as there is no reception as such. I didn’t have to show an idea. I just payed and got a key.

The room

My room was a suite, featuring a kitchenette. It also featured a bathroom with a shower and one sink, a double bed and a single bed, so space for three (or more if you’re naughty). There’s a large television which allowed me to watch the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Funny it was the first time in forever I actually used a hotel room tv.

The suite is marketed for longer stays. Other rooms don’t (necessarily) have a toilet or bathroom. The kitchenette was not well furbished. There was barely cutlery and plates. I didn’t find a bowl.

As the café and restaurants were closed on Sunday, I needed to buy food. Many things are closed on Sunday in Lausanne. But no bowl means no cereals. Or should I have eaten that in the saucepan?

There were coffee and tea options though. The room has many level differences so you must be careful not to trip all the time. Another challenge was connecting to WiFi, but in the end it worked.

But apart from that the room is more than okay for a two-star hotel. So yes.

Breakfast

Breakfast is not included. It’s very sober, very French. Some bread, some butter, some jam, an orange juice, a croissant and a hot drink. Note I dod not get a plate.