Two hours by boat and train from Zurich Airport, this is the ideal spot for independent travelers. The views are fantastic and the English-speaking hosts provide wrap-around advice for guests of any age. Travel back in time on the old paddle steamers from Lucerne which dock beside the hotel terrace or take a trip up the mountain on Switzerland’s first mountain railway. The hotel is a listed building and retains the historic charm of its original designation – the Station Hotel. Some rooms have been modernized, but we love the old ones with big windows looking out over the mountain. In the evening, you can watch the sun go down over the lake from the first floor terrace after a wonderful meal from one of the top-rated chefs in the Lucerne region.

My wife spend 3 - 4 weeks annually in Vitznau and I have been aware of Hotel Terrasse for some time and chose it for a stop over on my way from the US to a German conference. The couple who operate the hotel are most friendly and helpful. The rooms are small but cozy--I go to Vitznau for the food, the scenery, the walks, not to live in my hotel. The hotel is ideally located at the Schiffs,--and Bergbahn station and, hence, right on the lake. Noise from the boats and rail is limited to about 6:45 a.m. to maybe 10 pm (later on week ends for the midnight train); the "noise" is never bad and many might find the hustle and bustle agreeable. I think I was in Vitznau the [one, only] night of disco noise--it was a real pain and came from across the lake. I went to the station to be sure where it came from. btw: no loud bass noise heard from the hotel. A very nice Swiss hotel with atmosphere and great service.

I guess it just shows that the luck of the draw plays a part when you're booking a hotel. My wife and I have stayed at the Terrasse twice: two years ago and twelve years ago (when it was under a different family ownership). On both occasions we specified, prior to our visits, the type of room and facilities we would expect. We knew that the hotel wasn't the same standard as the nearby Park, but chose it for convenience to the Rigi, the boat station etc.. The thing with the Terrasse is that it doesn't set out to be anything other than it is: a basic, clean, comfortable base from which to explore the surrounding area. Our en-suite bathroom was totally separated from the bedroom by a sliding door which, I admit, was a bit noisy. Pia and Roland have concentrated on encouraging 'hobby groups' and I'm not too sure that this doesn't detract from the attention given to other independent guests. Last time we stayed there were a couple of parties on two evenings, but we weren't disturbed as we had specified a room on the side of the hotel away from the restaurant, looking back up the lake towards Luzern. We found the food to be of an okay standard, with a reasonable choice. The waiting staff were friendly and efficient. Would we go back? Yes we would - hopefully next year.