Neuchâtel - where to stay

By Mark Sukhija

There are several hotels in Neuchatel of varying prices to suit all budgets. To date, I've only stayed in the following two - but would like to try the Hotel Palafitte next time round.

Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when contacting these fine establishments. I have stayed at all these hotels.

Recommended hotels

1. Hotel Beau Rivage (1, Esplanade du Mont-Blanc, CH-2000 Neuchatel) - We've stayed at the Hotel Beau Rivage a few times now and have been consistently impressed. Service has always been 5-star, bathrooms are excellent, rooms are spacious and rivals the Hotel Splendide Royale in Lugano in the Comfy Carpet Stakes. Good restauant with a decent selection of local wines - which is always a plus. Location can't be bettered - nor can the lakeside rooms. On our last visit - we even had a kickbike in the room to use during our visit.

Other hotels - caveat emptor

1. Hotel Beaulac (Esplanade Leopold-Robert 2, CH-2000 Neuchatel) - We stayed at the Hotel Beaulac for our visit to the Fêtes des Vendanges in 2009. This was our first and last stay. Basically, I have no complaints re the service was OK if uninspiringly mediocre although the location is only bettered by the Hotel Beau Rivage . The bathroom, on the other hand, is a problem - it contains only a shower, i.e. no bath, and no room to swing a cat in. Which, at 280 CHF (plus taxes) for a double room, is shockingly poor value - I've stayed in several hotels in Switzerland over 100 CHF per night cheaper with better bathroom facilities than this.