Lausanne Guesthouse & Backpacker

Siblings Anne-Marie, Jodoc, and Christian Elmiger opened the Lausanne Guesthouse & Backpacker in 2001, offering budget-minded travelers an affordable stay in a 19th-century building that has views of the French Alps and Lake Geneva. Guests are a mixed bunch comprised of families, couples, and solo travelers on a budget. The six-story hotel’s charming cream-colored facade features light gray shutters and pretty wrought-iron balconies. There's also an underground parking lot that’s accessible through stone archways. A small wooden door leads into the homey lobby, where there’s a purple-painted reception desk and a dining lounge with large windows, wooden tables, rattan furniture, texture-painted walls, a piano, and a small collection of books. The hotel is a non-smoking property, but smoking is permitted in the garden, which has patio furniture and a barbecue grill. Hallways are equipped with lockers and the wider halls also offer cozy lounge areas.

Situated in Lausanne, the French-speaking area of Switzerland, the hotel is a two-minute walk to the train station and within walking distance of the Gare Metro and Epinettes bus stop. A free public transportation pass -- usable on the trams, buses, trains, and ferries -- is provided at the hostel, making it convenient to visit the sites, such as Lake Geneva and the port, which are 10 minutes away. The Old Town can be reached by bus in 15 minutes and is full of cafes, restaurants, nightlife, and museums, including Musee Historique de Lausanne, Cathedrale de Lausanne, and Palais de Rumine. The Olympic Museum and Musee de l'Elysee also take 15 minutes by bus and Chillon Castle can be reached via a 45-minute tram ride. Geneva is a 45-minute drive or hour-long tram ride, and the Geneva International Airport is an hour by tram or 30 minutes by car. 

The shared dorms and private rooms are basic and clean, featuring beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, hardwood floors, and pinewood bunk beds or twin beds with metal or rattan headboards. Both the Quadruple Rooms, with linen and towels for a fee, and the Family Rooms have two bunk beds. Double Rooms feature writing desks attached to built-in wardrobes and two twin beds or a full bed. Some rooms offer balconies and all, except Quadruple Rooms, have optional private bathrooms with showers (located across from the rooms). Shared bathrooms are clean and basic, with small showers and toilets. Hairdryers, alarm clocks, and power adapters are available with deposits. All rooms receive daily housekeeping, but none are outfitted with TVs. Another issue to note: Rooms have thin walls, and noise from the neighboring train station might be an issue.

The Lausanne Guesthouse & Backpacker doesn’t have fancy facilities, but the communal areas are clean, contemporary, and homey. The fully-equipped kitchen has a modern feel, with a wooden dining table, recycling bins, a toaster, stovetops, a microwave, shared refrigerators, and glass doors that lead to the garden. Croissants and coffee are provided in the morning for a fee. Vending machines -- selling hot and cold beverages and snacks -- are in the kitchen and lobby. A shared office area, with work desks, can be rented on a daily basis. Faxing and printing services are also available. Five PC computers and a public payphone are in the lobby. The laundry room has coin-operated machines and an iron. Wi-Fi is free throughout.