Hotel Terrasse am See — Hotel in Vitznau

We stayed one night at the Terrasse am See during our small Switzerland tour. It was unfortunately quite disappointing and terrible value for money. ||The location is great (right next to the Rigi station), the hotel could be absolutely fantastic (it is on the lake, has an incredible upper floor terrasse and amazing dining area overlooking the lake), but the owners don’t seem to invest a lot of the money they make into refurbishing the hotel. Tiny rooms and bathrooms with no insulation (old building with squeaky wooden floors so don’t expect to sleep if anyone else above or below doesn’t), a ridiculously small closet and the common areas are old and a bit tatty, but you will pay the exact same price as a standard room in the 4* Vierwäldstatter Seehotel in Brunnen - which is entirely renovated, has 24h reception and many other facilities.||What disappointed us the most though was what we assumed was the lady owner. A cold welcome, sighs when you dare ask for an omelette or poached eggs for breakfast (she literally started by saying no and then said the omelette would take a lot of time and it would be plain - I ended up ordering a boiled egg which she never brought) and she charged us 10.-/dog/night asking us upon check-in if we had rugs to make our dogs comfortable on the floor because beds were for humans (though it is the ONLY hotel we stayed at that offered no bedding and no bowls (not even a water bowl) for the dogs). Of course we are well organized and always have everything with us but you can’t take a fee and not provide the slightest amenity... Clearly a hotel where dogs are tolerated, certainly not welcome even if they are well behaved.|We’ve done quite a few hotels in this price range but this one is clearly overpriced for what it offers and the location next to the Rigi station doesn’t justify it. There are much better options...

A perfect base for a weeks waking around the lake. The hotel is right next to the lake within 50m of the Rigi bahn and the jetty. Our room had access to a balcony overlooking the lake, a perfect place to relax in the early evening and enjoy beautiful sunsets over the lake. Our room had a bath which was a bonus.We had two evening meals in a stunning restaurant overlooking the lake, which on a half boatd basis worked out at 35CHF for 3 courses, good food & value. The char & perch fish dishes were excellent. Plenty of excursion possibilities close by....the swiss path (suggest boat to Treib then funicular and walk to Bauen), Buses to the Stoosbahn and take the worlds steepest funicular then cable car to the Fronalpstock with spectacular views of the lake, Burgenstock worth a visit to go on Europes longest outdoor lift and not forgetting endless walks on Rigi (Kulm, Schdieigg and Kanzeli)....

A stones throw from a mid-day ferry to Lucerne. The staff are friendly, patient and knowledgeable about the area. The rooms are perfect; if you can ask for one with a Lakeview balcony. While the area is pricey, you can find a good meal and glass of wine within walking distance. The 502 bus will take you to Weggis where you can then take an earlier ferry to Lucerne. If you drive, after staying here you can also park in the P1 or P2 garage at the train station for a modest fee (cheaper than taking the ferry or train if you're comfortable with city driving).

I will forever remember my perfect stay here, from stunning views to the wonderful amenities. The breakfast was as you'd expect, some yogurt, cereal, cheeses and cuts of meat. Don't expect a massive meal, but enough to nourish you until you can get to Lucerne and have a wonderful lunch.

I will stay here again, if I am so lucky, in...