Hotel AlaGare

Rooms and decor

Rooms are done up in a classic golden-age railway style, with framed prints and small train models on the walls. They run fairly compact, and some feel dated — one review puts it plainly: "rooms are tidy and clean, they don't feature modern amenities as this is an old hotel." If you expect a fully modern hotel, Agora Swiss Night is the better call. But if old-world charm and an offbeat theme are your thing, you will fall for this place. Beds are comfortable, bathrooms are clean, and the free Wi-Fi works well.

Food and amenities

The highlight here is the breakfast room, built like an Orient Express train carriage, complete with a model electric train that runs under the glass floor — you start it with a red button while you eat. Kids love it, and adults fall for the detail too. The continental breakfast is varied for a 3-star, with fresh bread, croissants, cheese, cold cuts, fruit and plenty to drink. Staff are friendly and helpful; as one review puts it, they are "helpful, accommodating, and knowledgeable." There is no pool, spa or gym.

Location and getting there

AlaGare's location is just about the best in the city — a 200 m, three-minute walk straight to Lausanne station with no hill to climb, which is a real gift if your bags are heavy. From the station, direct trains reach Geneva Airport (GVA) in about 40–50 minutes, Montreux in 20 and Geneva in 35. The Lausanne-Gare M2 metro sits right by the main station: ride down to lakeside Ouchy in 8 minutes, or up to the central Flon district in 5. Rue du Simplon itself has plenty of restaurants and convenience stores around the door.

Things to know before booking

This is an older hotel, so some rooms and decor feel dated and modern amenities are limited. Rooms are compact — fine for a couple or a short trip, less so for a big family or a long stay, in which case book a family room. There is no pool, spa or gym. Street-facing rooms can catch a little daytime train noise, so ask for an interior room if you are a light sleeper.

Our take

Hotel AlaGare is the best fit for train lovers, families with kids, and travelers who want something they will remember. The Orient Express breakfast room and the model train under the glass floor are a draw no other hotel in Lausanne can copy, and the flat 200 m walk to the station is hard to beat. If you want big modern rooms or a full spa and gym, choose Alpha-Palmiers instead — and if the budget stretches, Beau-Rivage Palace is still the top standard in the city.