Hotel Pickwick and Pub

Rooms and decor

The 2-star rooms are clean and simple, but the draw is the view from every window — the Reuss River running under the Chapel Bridge and the pretty old European streetscape beyond. Some rooms have large windows that pull in fresh air off the river. The linens are clean, the bathrooms are clean, and while everything is plain, it all works as it should. Two things to prepare for: there's no air-conditioning, and some rooms run fairly small. The ground floor is the Mr. Pickwick Pub, an English-style bar that fills with guests and travelers most evenings, so if you like an early night, ask for a room on floor 3 or above to keep the noise down.

Food and amenities

The Mr. Pickwick Pub downstairs is what gives this place its character — Swiss and European beers on offer, English pub food like fish & chips and burgers, and a relaxed feel. It suits travelers who like a good bar and don't need anything fancy. There's no breakfast, but the streets around the hotel are full of bakeries and cafes within a short walk. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole building, and the front desk is staffed during working hours.

Location and getting there

Pickwick sits in the car-free old town, right on the Reuss River, closer to the Chapel Bridge than any other budget hotel here. Weinmarkt and the Jesuit Church are an easy walk, and the train station is about 10 minutes on foot through the old town. Because it's a pedestrian zone, the streets around it are quiet at night — apart from the pub itself during opening hours — and there are plenty of market stalls and souvenir shops nearby.

Things to know before booking

The biggest catch is noise: the ground-floor pub stays open late, and floors 1-2 will hear it — music and chatter both, so request floor 3 or higher. There's no breakfast service, so plan to find your morning coffee and bread at a bakery nearby. And there's no air-conditioning, with some rooms on the small side, so this is best for travelers who value the view and the price over square footage and extras.

Our take

Hotel Pickwick is the smart pick for couples, solo travelers and groups of friends who want a riverfront view at the best possible price, like a pub atmosphere, and don't need luxury amenities. From about $115 a night, it's outstanding value in a city as expensive as Lucerne — a Chapel Bridge view from every room and a genuinely European feel without paying for it. Score 8.7/10 from more than 2,600 reviews.