Review of Palace Luzern, by Jamie Dunford Wood

As soon as you walk into this century-old hotel you cannot fail to be impressed by its elegance and sophistication. Quieter and less bustling than the National, not as overwhelmingly grand as the Schweizerhof, there is a cote d'azur feel here, with its pale orange awnings, cream walls and cool contemporary furnishings.

Their motto, too, is encouraging: le nouvel art de vivre. However, upstairs the 168 rooms are a little erratic. Mostly its the 5th and 6th floors that have been renovated, but these have low ceilings and lack character, although for lovers of separate power showers, you'll find them here. Elsewhere colours are muted and the décor is looking tired, with old bathroom fittings, some without air-conditioning.

Best of all are the first floor rooms, which have proper sit-out balconies overlooking the lake, and those that have been renovated come in a variety of colourways, from peach and cream to rich blue and pale yellow, with plain pale walls. Furniture mixes modern chrome and glass with repro antiques and French Empire lamps - plush corporate, and they will appeal to those who relish understatement. They also offer a 'Wellness Corner' with massage and a solarium, but no pool.