Hotel Alpina

I'm writing this review as a frequent traveller who holds top level status in several hotel loyalty programmes. This was the worst hotel stay that I've had in quite a while, and the service is way way below my expectations for Switzerland. We booked the Hotel Alpina solely as a night stop, and chose it over its sister Hotel Monopol simply due to its quiet side street location close to the station. We pitched up to find the hotel doors locked, with a sign posted asking guests to check in at the Hotel Monopol. A complete 0/10 start! Why not send guests an email BEFORE they arrive, rather than mess them about? At the Monopol reception, an elderly reception clerk was struggling to check in a French-speaking lady who didn't speak German, whilst a much younger reception clerk was sitting at his desk in the corner. He saw us waiting, but chose to ignore us and continued surfing the internet! Another 0/10! Eventually the older guy told him to come over and deal with us, but he wasn't very happy about it, and was surly and generally unhelpful. We eventually rocked up back at the Alpina and got the main doors to work. Inside to the warmth, and an absolute stench of stale Asian cooking which permeated all the common areas. It made us think that as they are quiet the hotel is renting out rooms to the local administration under contract, and possibly housing asylum seekers or recent immgrants. When the next morning at check out we complained about the smell, the clerk tried to make out that it was "new", but the smell just wasn't that of fresh Asian cuisine (which is great) and the cooking had clearly been going on for several weeks! The room itself on the 5th floor served by a minute lift was recently refurbished and was free of the foul smell in the corridor. A good refurb job had been done, but I think that by the time they came to furnishing, the money had run out, as it was cheap IKEA style stuff, with a "wooden" framed bed with two rather nasty lumpy mattresses that were possibly cast offs from the Monopol, plus the thinnest and cheapest pair of single quilts we have ever seen. A truly poor nights sleep and yet another 0/10. Breakfast in the Monopol was OK, but nothing to write home about. It certainly wasn't the "rich cold and hot breakfast buffet" described on the web site. Service was slow and miserably given. Customer service in the hotel was so poor. As an example, when at check in I asked for a wifi code i was told that they "are in the book in the room". None of those codes in the book worked, and I had to trek back round to the reception at the Monopol (no phones in the rooms) to get a completely different printed wifi code, which our check-in clerk couldn't be bothered to have given us at check-in. In summary, this place just wasn't worth the money. Staff attitudes are the worst I've seen for ages, the hotel common areas stink, and the breakfast was just poor. Best avoided!

We spent 1 night in the heart of Lucerne (2 min. by foot from main train station) at a very reasonable rate. 3 Star Hotel Alpina is linked to 4 star hotel Monopol (where breakfast is served). Very clean, nothing to complain about. Would recommend both houses to anyone visiting the most beautiful city in Switzerland.

I actually wanted to book Hotel Monopol but the triple room was not available when I made my booking. Hotel Alpina Luzern became my only option since it is not far away from Hotel Monopol. Distance wise, it is really not far from Hotel Monopol, about 50m from the side door of Hotel Monopol on Frankenstrasse. But it was an hassle for us because there was no reception at Hotel Alpina Luzern on the Sunday afternoon we arrived and we had to walk back to Hotel Monopol to check in. My bad, should have read more reviews on TripAdvisor before booking/checking-in. Do also note that you may encounter smokers on the 50m walk between Hotel Monopol and Hotel Alpina Luzern. We encountered the group once during our four nights stay, probably was their tea break time at around 10 am. After completing the check in process and obtaining our card keys, we walked back to Hotel Alpina Luzern only to find the lift out-of-order. We went back to Hotel Monopol to ask and was informed that the lift broke down that morning, and as repairman do not work on Sundays, they do not know when will the lift be repaired. The good thing was, the hotel put the lift back in operations the next day so my elderlies only need to use the stairs the first day. The lift was actually not out-of-order, just that its external glass panel cracked, so they removed the cracked glass panel and crisscrossed the empty panel with masking tapes. It is a small old lift which carries maximum two person and a big luggage. Also, do note that the doors open on different sides on the ground floor and second floor. After we got our elderlies in the lift and told them which button to press after the door closed, we had to sprint up/down to open the door for them. We had a triple room and a twin room. The triple room has windows facing to the backyard while the twin room has window/balcony facing the street. The triple room has three single beds. I took the inner most bed which was not entirely sound proof. One of the nights, some one was talking on the phone and I can hear him clearly when I'm lying down. Housekeeping was friendly and diligent but do not speak English. No complaints except that housekeeping has a habit of opening all the windows during their housekeeping sessions. The second day we were back late and the curtains were drawn so I didn't notice the opened windows and piled my elderlies with layers of clothes when they complained about the cold room. The bathroom of the triple room is a longish set up with two sinks so two person can brush teeth at the same time. The breakfast was served at Hotel Monopol. The plain croissants were tasty and ran out rather quickly. Hot milk also ran out quite fast. Breakfast staff were super friendly. We saw the staff serving breakfast to a hotel guest who came in just after breakfast hour and requested for breakfast to be brought to her at her table.

We wanted a hotel close to the train station, and this was a 5 minute walk. We had to check in to the Monopol Hotel next door as when we arrived there was a sign on the door to check in there. Rooms were very nice and breakfast was at the Monopol each morning. Good variety for breakfast. We had used the safe to put in a few items, such as money and a garmin. The next morning on our departure we neglected to check the safe. Two days later I was looking for the garmin and noticed that we did not have it. I called the hotel and they checked the safe and it was all still there. We were so relieved, and the gentleman at the desk was very helpful. I took a 2 hour train ride back and forth from Interlaken to pick it up. I was thrilled, all the money was still in my wallet. Thank you Hotel Alpina. Would stay here again.

We were in Lucerne during the Lucerne Festival days. So we had a look for a Hotel next to the KKL concert halls. Hotel Alpina a 3 star Hotel just next the KKL and the railway Station. We had a room in front of the Hotel with a view to the Mount Pilatus. The Hotel staff was very friendly and helpfull. The room was clean. The breakfast we had at the 4-star Hotel Monopol just next door. The breakfast was very nice, cold and hot dishes. The Service staff there was frienldy as well. Next day we went on the Mount Pilatus. you can buy the ticket at the reception for a specila Price, less expensive as normally. We enyoyed Luceren and the Hotel. We come back to Lucerne and in this Hotel.

I took a group of 30 people to Switzerland. We stayed at the Hotel Alpina & Monopol. Both were very nice and clean. Breakfast was in the Monopol. It was a very nice breakfast with a good variety of food and drink. We were there for two nights and everyone enjoyed their stay. Location was excellent to see all the sites.

Very conveniently located near train station, a good budget hotel with all basic amenities. Extremely co operative staff. Many times you get a free upgrade to Hotel Monopol also. Cleanliness is good. Food is average.

The trip to Lucerne was not planned, the decision was made quickly and did not regret - the hotel is conveniently located for trips by train, bus and boat. Historical center and shopping streets in pedestrian accessibility. Special thanks to the staff at the reception - we got answers to all our questions and help in organizing our trip. The rooms are clean, breakfast in a nearby hotel is quite decent, with natural coffee))

This hotel is located just a few step from lucerne main train station and also in the center of attraction. Chapel bridge is only a stone throw away. When you enter the hotel you can feel this is an ordinary hotel nothing special. There is no lobby, small reception but staffs are very friendly and thanks a lady with a beautiful smile that she showed us a pleasant and warm greeting. We booked a triple room and this room is quite spacious for three of us. The room is clean and tidy with comfortable beds. The bathroom is clean and big enough but no amenities provided. No aircond in the room but it is ok for us since the weather is suitable for us. Breakfast is nothing special, no option all food serve in western food. If I may suggest since this hotel has many visitors from Asian countries, it would be better if you can add asian food such as dimsum and rice and noodle food option.