Historik Chalet-Hotel Lodge, Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen — Hotel in Küssnacht (SZ)

4 star here, 0 star there

That is what the receptionist of the Schloss-Hotel on the opposite of the road said when I described our experiences with Swiss-Chalet it also owns. The hotels are directly related and marketed as 1, sharing the same reservation system. She asked whether we liked it. She got her answer: worst hotel ever (for its price). It may have to do with the 2 times I banged my head against the beam above the door and the beam in the middle of the room or the complete lack of sleep. Btw, I'm 1.80m (6 feet). But it's even worse. See below.

The Swiss-Chalet is rustic. Very rustic. Build a long time ago, when people under 1.70m (5 ft 6) just needed a simple place to stay. When things like creaking floors, bad mattresses with squeaky springs, stale and murky floors, 1 toilet and 1 basic shower per 5+ rooms, dogs/(cats/other animals?) in hotel rooms, thin 99% translucent curtains and sound protection didn't matter. You worked hard, so you fell in your bed and slept like a baby.

But now it is 2024. Times have changed. You would expect when you pay €130+ per night the things described above are sorted out. Modernized. Invested in. So you could have a decent sleep, the least you should expect, right? But no, Schloss Hotel decided NOT to do any of this. They offer you the 'historic' experience and think they are doing you a favor. They don't!

So when you are over 1.70m and would like a comfortable stay, don't go to Swiss-Chalet. Save some money, maybe up your budget and press your gas pedal when the hotel is in sight. There are so many other places...

And maybe some food for thought. The (professionally nice and correct) receptionist of Schloss-Hotel said: "I'm sorry, here is 4 star and there is 0 star". My interpretation: when you cannot afford our 4 star rooms at double or triple rate of the 'economy' option Swiss-Chalet, you must be happy with what you get. Pay half, get 10%. And please don't complain, you should have known. The philosophy of Schloss-Hotel.

And that was it. No manager called, no hint of compensation, just professional smile and raised shoulders. We drove away very disappointed and will never,...

Do not ignore the bad reviews. People are likely staying at the sister location and saying it’s fine, it’s not.

You can’t turn off the heat. The heat runs continuously. The radiator is hot to the touch. When I got to the room is was 90F. Opened the windows and it was still hot. You need to leave the windows open while you sleep if you want it to cool down at all. It was 50F that night and the room never got below 75F.

Leaving the windows open creates more problems however. Road noise, church bells, people, cigarette smoke coming into the room.

Noise is a huge issue. You can hear your neighbors all around you. I had to wear AirPods to drown out the neighbor noise and outside noise.

The curtains don’t block any light. They are decorative curtains, see the photo.

In order to get a private bathroom you have to get the more expensive room. They want nearly $150 USD to have a room with a shared bathroom. I got the private bathroom, and if you’re 5’10 or taller, your head hits the ceiling. Additionally, since you need to leave the windows open to control the temperature, you have the choice between closing the bathroom door and it being super hot, or leaving the bathroom door open and hoping no one looks into your room that’s at eye level with people walking by with curtains that don’t cover the whole window.

With all the negatives out of the way, the building itself is kind of cool since it’s so old but that wears off fast.

The reviews for this location are a combination of people confusing it with the attached restaurant and people confusing it with the castle...

Staying at the Historik Chalet‑Hotel Lodge was a truly enchanting Swiss experience! Housed in a beautifully preserved 17th‑century farmhouse, the charming low ceilings, wooden beams, and rustic décor evoke the cozy ambiance of an authentic Alpine chalet . Our room felt warm and intimate, furnished simply yet thoughtfully, with all modern comforts—including free Wi‑Fi, TV, and a safe .

We loved waking up to the peaceful surroundings and heading downstairs for a hearty breakfast buffet served in the on‑site restaurant, followed by lakeside strolls on the private beach of the sister Schloss‑Hotel . The chalet’s cozy bar was a welcoming spot to relax in the evening over a drink, warmed by conversation and history.

The staff ensured our check‑in at the nearby Schloss‑Hotel was seamless, and we appreciated the free parking for direct bookings—an extra touch of thoughtful hospitality . This lodge beautifully blends rustic charm with Swiss elegance. A peaceful, memorable retreat—highly recommended for anyone seeking genuine Swiss character and lakeside...