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Summary of reviewsHotel Palafitte offers an extraordinary getaway characterized by its stunning lakeside location and unique architectural design. Situated on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, the hotel features pavilions that provide a nearly surreal "feet in the water" experience and breathtaking views, including vistas of the Bernese Alps. This dreamlike setting offers a serene and secluded atmosphere, making it an ideal retreat for guests seeking relaxation and tranquility. The rooms are spacious and luxurious with large bathrooms and amenities that contribute to an exceptional stay. Guests particularly appreciate the stylish decor and modern furnishings, which enhance the overall ambiance.
When it comes to dining, the breakfast receives praise for its delicious, high-quality offerings and the unique experience of dining by the lake or on a private terrace. Despite minor suggestions for more variety, the breakfast service is largely seen as a delightful start to the day, further amplified by the friendly and responsive staff. Dinner at Hotel Palafitte also garners positive remarks for its fresh and delicious cuisine, remarkable service and the added charm of terrace dining against a scenic backdrop. However, there are sporadic mentions of portion sizes and some menu items not meeting five-star expectations.
The staff at Hotel Palafitte are frequently highlighted for their friendliness, attentiveness and professionalism, significantly enhancing the guest experience. While occasional critiques point to areas for improvement in teamwork and training, the overall impression is of a dedicated and caring team who strive to make each stay memorable.
Cleanliness is generally upheld with positive feedback on the well-maintained rooms and amenities. Nonetheless, some reviews note issues such as spider webs, insects and bird droppings, suggesting that more meticulous cleaning could elevate the experience to match the hotel’s prestigious rating.
The beds at Hotel Palafitte are often described as very comfortable, contributing to a restful sleep. Although a few guests found the mattresses could be improved and noted some minor issues, the overall bedding experience is highly praised.
While there are occasional remarks about certain amenities and services not fully meeting five-star standards, the overarching sentiment is that Hotel Palafitte delivers a luxurious and enchanting experience. Guests leave with the impression of having stayed in a beautiful, serene paradise, eager to return for another escape along Lake Neuchâtel. Show more
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Hotel near Golf Courses
This 5-star hotel offers unique luxury pavilions directly on Lake Neuchâtel. Its proximity to the lake and luxurious amenities make it ideal for a relaxing golf vacation. Golf Neuchâtel is located 15 minutes away from the hotel.
Family Friendly Hotel
Offering unique luxury pavilions with breathtaking views of Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps. It features family rooms, a fitness center and free parking. Half of the pavilions are built on piles directly in the lake, providing direct access.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This 5-star hotel offers pet-friendly rooms and exceptional amenities, including room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It is located near the city center and has a high guest rating.
Business Hotel
Hotel Palafitte has meeting space available, making it suitable for business meetings.
Hotel with Parking
Hôtel Palafitte provides free private parking for its guests, ensuring secure and convenient parking directly on the property.
Accessible Hotel
This hotel is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-accessible path of travel, parking, public bathroom, registration desk, and restaurant. Its pavilions include roll-in showers and provide step-free access to the entrance.
Hotel with Gym
The hotel provides access to the Maréchal fitness center, which is a 5-minute walk away. This fitness center offers cardio and muscle toning equipment and is open daily.
Luxury Hotel
Hotel for Yoga
5-Star Hotel
Room Types
Lake PavillonThe Lake Pavillons are built directly on the lake with private lake access from your terrace.
Shore Pavillon - Lake viewThe Shore Pavillons are built directly behind the Lake Pavillons with Lake view.
Guest Reviews
9.0
Excellent
Location
Hotel Palafitte offers a truly stunning location right on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, characterized by its unique and remarkable setting. The hotel's lakeside pavilions and rooms provide direct access to the water, creating an almost "feet in the water" experience that guests find extraordinary. The pavilion design allows visitors to delight in breathtaking views and the tranquility of being practically part of the lake with some rooms even offering unobstructed vistas of the Bernese Alps.
The setting is often described as dreamlike, magical and akin to a paradise on stilts, evoking a Maldives-like ambiance in Switzerland. Guests appreciate the sense of seclusion and the serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation. This exceptional location, coupled with spacious, luxurious rooms and attentive, friendly staff, makes the hotel a perfect getaway. Whether it's waking up to the calm waters or enjoying a rich breakfast with special requests fulfilled, Hotel Palafitte leaves a lasting impression as one of the most beautiful and unique places to stay along Lake Neuchâtel.
Breakfast
Hotel Palafitte offers a breakfast experience characterized by a range of opinions but generally positive remarks. Guests frequently praise the breakfast for its delicious, high-quality offerings with many describing it as superb, excellent and amazing. The breakfast buffet, though noted as small, impresses with its freshness, including fresh fruits and homemade items. The variety and presentation of the dishes are appreciated with guests particularly enjoying the option to have breakfast by the lake or on a private terrace, which adds a special touch to their stay.
However, there are recurrent observations about the limited selection and suggestions for improvement. Some guests noted the need for more variety, including more orange juice and scrambled eggs replenished promptly. Additionally, a few reviews mentioned issues with room service breakfast, such as missing items, small portions and occasional delays in delivery.
Overall, while some aspects of the breakfast service could use refinement, the majority of guests find the breakfast experience at Hotel Palafitte to be a delightful and quality start to their day. The friendly and responsive staff also contribute positively, making the dining experience enjoyable despite some minor hiccups.
Dinner
Hotel Palafitte offers a dining experience that receives mixed reactions from its guests. Many reviews highlight the excellence of the dinner menu, praising the delicious and fresh cuisine served at the restaurant. Diners appreciated specific elements like the remarkable and attentive main courses, as well as the special Easter menu, which was particularly commended. The opportunity to enjoy meals on the terrace or private balcony added a special touch, amplifying the overall dining experience against the scenic backdrop of the lake.
Guests frequently lauded the top-notch service, calling it thoughtful, efficient and courteous. The restaurant staff were noted for being accommodating, especially for guests with dietary restrictions. Despite some reviews mentioning that room service and specific menu items were too expensive, the general consensus indicates satisfaction with the quality and taste of the food.
However, not all feedback was positive. Several guests were disappointed by the portion sizes, describing them as too generous yet sometimes of poor quality and noted that the food did not always meet five-star expectations. Some found the dinner service to be slow and the dinner options oddly limited. There were comments about the need for menu improvements and overall construction renovations, implying that while the dining was good, there are areas that could benefit from enhancement for a more consistent five-star experience.
Rooms
Hotel Palafitte offers an exceptional stay with rooms that almost entirely transcend the ordinary. Nestled on the serene banks of Lake Neuchâtel, the hotel features pavilions that provide a unique sense of seclusion and tranquility. The spaciousness of the rooms stands out with many guests describing them as "huge," "sumptuous," and "magnificent." The large bathrooms, equipped with both showers and whirlpool bathtubs, add to the luxurious experience.
The views available from the rooms are simply breathtaking. Many rooms provide direct access to the lake, allowing guests to enjoy the feeling of having "feet in the water." This proximity to the lake, coupled with large balconies and terraces, makes for an unforgettable stay. The windows overlooking the water offer an incredible view that enhances the overall ambiance.
The interiors are tastefully decorated and modern with high-quality furnishings adding a touch of elegance. Guests have particularly appreciated the "stylish" and "well-equipped" nature of the rooms, noting features such as large minibars, good air conditioning and comfortable beds, even though a few mentioned that mattresses could be improved.
Room service and the staff contribute significantly to the positive experience, often described as pleasant and attentive. Some rooms might show signs of wear and tear, but the overall feedback highlights the exceptional nature of the accommodation. The pavilions, often compared to stylish boat cabins, offer a unique and playful design that blends seamlessly with the beautiful lakeside setting.
In conclusion, Hotel Palafitte delivers a magnificent stay characterized by spacious, beautifully decorated rooms offering stunning lake views, making it an extraordinary escape that many guests are eager to repeat.
Beds
Hotel Palafitte offers a mix of reviews regarding its beds with an overall positive inclination. Many guests highlight the beds as super comfortable and very cozy, contributing to a restful stay. A recurring comment describes the beds as mega comfortable, emphasizing the high level of comfort provided. Despite a few remarks noting that the mattresses were just okay or could be improved, the general consensus is that the beds are very comfortable. The bedding itself receives high praise for being excellent, enhancing the overall sleep experience.
On a less positive note, some guests mention that the bedside tables are low and that the mattresses are too banal and hard with no choice of pillows available. Additionally, squeaky beds are pointed out by a few reviewers, indicating that there might be occasional issues with the bed frames. Despite these minor drawbacks, the clean and romantic room facilities further complement the overall comfort and positive sleeping experience at Hotel Palafitte.
Cleanliness
Hotel Palafitte presents a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness. Many guests remarked positively on the room cleanliness, noting that the interiors were generally impeccable with very clean rooms and friendly housekeeping staff. The balconies also received compliments for being clean and well-maintained.
However, several reviews mentioned significant issues that tarnished the overall perception of cleanliness. Spider webs and dead insects, including spiders and mosquitoes, were a recurring problem inside many rooms. There were also multiple mentions of bird droppings and moisture damage in different parts of the hotel. The cleanliness of the toilets, in particular, stood out as an area needing improvement with some guests reporting unpleasant smells and visible grime that should be addressed.
Despite these concerns, the mini bar and certain room amenities were consistently noted to be spotless. It's clear that while housekeeping is generally friendly and parts of the hotel are well-maintained, attention to detail in cleaning areas such as bathrooms and balconies is required to meet guests' expectations fully. Guests looking for a pristine environment might find these cleanliness issues to be a drawback to their stay at Hotel Palafitte.
Staff
Hotel Palafitte stands out for its exceptional staff service, receiving high praise for their friendliness, attentiveness and professionalism. The team is described as extraordinarily helpful and accommodating, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The reception staff are noted for their efficiency and friendly demeanor, greeting guests with permanent smiles and impeccable service.
However, there are occasional mentions of the service not meeting expectations, particularly in terms of teamwork and training. Some guests found the reception staff reserved or less customer-oriented, which slightly marred their experience. Despite these few criticisms, the majority of reviews highlight the staff's kindness, their foresighted nature and their ability to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
The waitstaff, particularly at breakfast, receive special mention for their friendliness and attentiveness. Instances of less helpful and impersonal staff are exceptions in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive assessment. The overall impression is of a dedicated and caring team that significantly enhances the guest experience at Hotel Palafitte.
5 Star
Nestled in a picturesque location, Hotel Palafitte promises an alluring ambiance and striking views, often highlighted in guests' reviews. However, several visitors have voiced concerns about the facilities and services that somewhat tarnish the allure expected from a five-star establishment.
Guests often point out that the service at the hotel's bar and restaurant falls short of five-star standards. The restaurant's cuisine and service do not align with what one would anticipate from such a prestigious rating. Additionally, the breakfast spread has been described as mediocre, not meeting the expectations of guests accustomed to a more luxurious dining experience.
Maintaining the high standards associated with a five-star rating appears to be an area of concern with mentions of insufficient upkeep. Such observations suggest that there may be room for improvement in ensuring that the hotel's amenities and services consistently deliver the premium experience that its rating suggests.
While Hotel Palafitte undoubtedly offers a stunning location and unique accommodations, paying attention to elevating its service quality and facility maintenance might be essential steps to fully live up to the expectations of discerning five-star travelers.
Luxury
Nestled along the serene shores of Lake Neuchâtel, Hotel Palafitte emerges as a luxurious retreat, providing an exceptional and truly five-star experience. Renowned for its unique location, the lakeside pavilions offer an unparalleled sense of tranquility reminiscent of an island getaway in the Maldives. Guests can revel in the breathtaking views and high-quality accommodations that define this tip-top hotel. Despite some opinions that the hotel's level of luxury might not always align with its pricing, the overwhelming consensus highlights its fabulous and intentional design, professional service and overall exceptional offerings. A stay at Hotel Palafitte is not just highly recommended but considered a beautiful, luxurious escape worth every moment.
No, Hotel Palafitte doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Palafitte.
Yes, Hotel Palafitte welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Palafitte.