Your stay — Continental
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The Property — Continental
The Continental is a solid three-star hotel with a clean, business-like feel in Lausanne's commercial district. Its lobby is modest but practical, with a small seating area and front desk staffed by efficient locals. The main draw is its location directly opposite the main train station, making it ideal for travellers who prioritise connectivity over charm. Short-term stays and those arriving by rail are the natural fit.
Chronicles of Lausanne
Lausanne began as a Roman settlement called Lousonna on the shores of Lake Geneva. Its medieval old town clings to three steep hills, with the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral at the summit, consecrated in 1275. The city became a significant centre of Protestantism after the Reformation and later a haven for intellectuals, hosting figures like Voltaire and Tchaikovsky. Today it functions as the de facto capital of the Olympic movement — the International Olympic Committee has its headquarters here — and a hub for education and banking, balancing a global outlook with a distinct local identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lausanne guide →Best months
June and September are ideal: July is warmest but already busy, and August sees many Swiss holidays. June offers long daylight hours and reliable sun; September brings pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists in the city centre.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is July–August. The Montreux Jazz Festival (early July) and Lausanne's own summer events like the Festival de la Cité pull crowds. Hotel rates can rise 20–30% in July. The city's lakeside location means it's popular with Swiss and French tourists escaping the heat.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are smart budget windows. May has blossoming trees and moderate crowds; October is cooler but still pleasant, with hotel prices notably lower than summer. The grape harvest around Lake Geneva adds local colour.
Weather & packing
Lausanne's warmest days can hit 30–35°C in July but lake breezes can bring sudden cool spells, especially in the evening. Pack layers: a light jacket or cardigan, plus comfortable walking shoes for the many stairs and steep streets.
Live City Briefing — Lausanne
- Lausanne's metro line m2 remains fully operational, but some bus routes (e.g. line 1 to Ouchy) have been disrupted by roadworks near the station until autumn 2026; check t-l.ch for updates.
- A new pop-up wine bar, Le Caveau du Marché, opens in the Flon district from April 2026, offering local Lavaux wines by the glass.
- The 2026 city swimming season at the Bellerive Plage on Lake Geneva starts mid-May; July entry costs about CHF 8 and the beach gets very crowded by 11 am.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Continental, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. These upper floors reduce street-level noise and give a quieter experience.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those overlooking the street or adjacent to the lift. The lower levels are prone to street noise from Lausanne's traffic and passersby.
Best views
Upper floors facing the courtyard or side streets may offer glimpses of the Old Town or lake in the distance, but avoid expecting panoramic views—this is a city-centre property.
Quietest floors
Floors three to five offer the best quiet, assuming a typical low-rise building height for a 3-star hotel. The highest floors also minimise footfall from above.
🔊 Noise notes
Lausanne has hilly streets and occasional trams or buses; rooms facing main roads (like Rue du Petit-Chêne or adjacent ones) will hear traffic rumble until late. The hotel's central location also brings foot traffic noise in evenings.
Insider tips
Parking is limited in central Lausanne; check if the hotel has an arrangement with a nearby garage (e.g., Parking du Flon) and book a spot in advance. For a quicker check-in, arrive after 3 PM to avoid the afternoon queue. If you need a good view, ask for a room with a 'lake side' orientation at booking—some rooms may have partial views of Lac Léman.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Continental
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login – just connect and accept terms. No paid upgrade available
One lift serves all five floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access on personal devices; no physical newspapers. The building dates from 1915 with original wrought-iron lift cage in the lobby
Check-in from 15:00; you can drop bags from 10:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs CHF 50, subject to availability
Free storage at reception, no charge, any time on check-in or check-out day
No step-free entrance (one step at main door, portable ramp available on request); lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs; no specially adapted rooms
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is Parking Montbenon, 300 metres away, CHF 25 per 24 hours. No EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.20 per person per night, charged at check-in
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a CHF 100 hold on your credit card for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Laurent (296 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Espace Martin Luther King (306 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-François (336 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église des Terreaux (441 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Portes Saint-François — 192 m · ~2 min walk
Promenade Mary-Widmer-Curtat — 161 m · ~2 min walk
Espace Arlaud — 411 m · ~5 min walk
Atelier 215 — 239 m · ~3 min walk
Square d'Echallens — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 28 m · ~1 min walk
Metro Flon Pharmacie — 19 m · ~1 min walk
avec — 49 m · ~1 min walk
Lausanne-Flon — 59 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid airport and train station exchange bureaux which charge high fees and poor rates.
Cards widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common even for small amounts. Some cash-only for small stalls or markets.
Not expected but rounding up for good service is appreciated. In restaurants, round up or leave ~5-10% if satisfied; taxis round to nearest franc; hotel staff CHF 2-5 per bag or per night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bakery or self-service café, around CHF 3-4.50.
Pizza slice, quiche or sandwich from a bakery or takeaway, roughly CHF 10-15.
Main course at an affordable ethnic restaurant (e.g. Asian, Lebanese), around CHF 20-30.
Look for weekly markets (e.g. on Place de la Palud) for sausages, crepes and local snacks; limited standalone street food.
Migros and Coop are the main budget supermarket chains, with own-brand products cheapest.
C&A and H&M on Rue de Bourg for basics; second-hand shops along Rue de la Madeleine.
Cheapest way: day pass for Lausanne's TL network (CHF 7.40, valid on bus, metro, train within zones 11/12). From airport: train to Lausanne (CHF ~25-30) rather than taxi (CHF 100+).
Buy picnic supplies from Migros or Coop; fill water bottles at public fountains (tap water is excellent). Get the Lausanne Transport Card from your hotel for free city-centre bus/metro travel if staying overnight.
Good to know — Lausanne
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lausanne, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Continental
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 28 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Metro Flon Pharmacie — 19 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Geneva Airport Bus Station → Lausanne Bus Station (near CFF)
💡 Slightly slower than the train but often half the price. Book on their app and board early for a window seat on the right for lake views.
Geneva Airport (GVA) → Lausanne CFF station
💡 Buy the supersaver ticket online in advance for half the price. The station's locker room (near Platform 1) is cheap for stashing bags until check-in.
Lausanne CFF station → Riponne-M. Béjart (closest to MadHouse hotel, 4-min walk)
💡 Get a day pass (CHF 8.60) if you'll take more than two trips. The MadHouse is uphill from the station, so use the metro even for short hops rather than walking.
Lausanne CFF station → Bourg (stop near MadHouse, 2-min walk)
💡 The bus avoids the metro's steep escalators and is slightly closer to the hotel entrance. Tap your contactless card directly on the reader—no need for paper tickets.
About Lausanne
Wikipedia ↗
Lausanne ( loh-ZAN, US also loh-ZAHN; French: [lozan] ) is the capital and largest city of the Swiss French-speaking canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. The Olympic capital, it is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway between the Jura Mountains and the Alps, and facing the F...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Continental?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. These upper floors reduce street-level noise and give a quieter experience.
Which rooms should I avoid at Continental?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those overlooking the street or adjacent to the lift. The lower levels are prone to street noise from Lausanne's traffic and passersby.
Is Continental noisy?
Lausanne has hilly streets and occasional trams or buses; rooms facing main roads (like Rue du Petit-Chêne or adjacent ones) will hear traffic rumble until late. The hotel's central location also brings foot traffic noise in evenings.
Which rooms have the best views at Continental?
Upper floors facing the courtyard or side streets may offer glimpses of the Old Town or lake in the distance, but avoid expecting panoramic views—this is a city-centre property.
What are insider tips for staying at Continental?
Parking is limited in central Lausanne; check if the hotel has an arrangement with a nearby garage (e.g., Parking du Flon) and book a spot in advance. For a quicker check-in, arrive after 3 PM to avoid the afternoon queue. If you need a good view, ask for a room with a 'lake side' orientation at booking—some rooms may have partial views of Lac Léman.
What time is check-in at Continental?
Check-in at Continental is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Continental have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login – just connect and accept terms. No paid upgrade available
Is there a city or tourist tax at Continental?
CHF 2.20 per person per night, charged at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Continental?
Pizza slice, quiche or sandwich from a bakery or takeaway, roughly CHF 10-15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Continental?
Cheapest way: day pass for Lausanne's TL network (CHF 7.40, valid on bus, metro, train within zones 11/12). From airport: train to Lausanne (CHF ~25-30) rather than taxi (CHF 100+).
When is the best time to visit Lausanne?
June and September are ideal: July is warmest but already busy, and August sees many Swiss holidays. June offers long daylight hours and reliable sun; September brings pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists in the city centre.
Top Attractions in Lausanne
💡 Climb the tower for 5 CHF (2025 price) — the view over the lake and vineyards is worth every franc, and it's rarely crowded on weekday mornings.
💡 Take the 'Escalator du Flon' at Rue de Genève — it runs up the cliffside and gives a sudden reveal of the cathedral above. Free and fun.
💡 The footpath along the south edge leads to a little bridge over the river Flon — great for photos of the old town without crowds.
💡 Walk down to the lakeside jetty at sunset for a clear view of the Alps across the water.
💡 Bring a picnic. The benches near the war memorial have the best shade and a distant lake view.