The Hotel Palafitte, the only five-star establishment in Europe built on water, is situated on the outskirts of Neuchâtel town, midway between Geneva and Zurich Airport on one of the most prized sites of the Three Lakes Region with breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps.

Its state-of-the-art technology makes the Hotel Palafitte a vision of what a hotel should be while still meeting the rigorous requirements of a five-star establishment.
With its dependencies, built on stilts in the open countryside, The Palafitte is unique in Europe and provides well-being in a quiet and relaxing lakeside setting.

HISTORY
Hôtel Palafitte was built back in 2002 as part of the Swiss national exhibition Expo.02. It is the result of a collaboration between architect Kurt Hofmann and students from the hotel management school l’Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. It was devised with the aim of creating an astonishing “work of art” that would arouse the interest of international guests visiting the exhibition. By choosing to build the hotel on stilts, the designers created a fascinating link with the site’s ancient history: in the area, archaeologists have discovered the oldest remains of houses in Switzerland – built on stilts.
The hotel is one of the last landmarks of the Swiss national exhibition, an event for which many worked hard and with the utmost dedication to create something lasting of which the Swiss can rightly be proud.

ACCOMMODATION
The entire team is looking forward to welcoming you in one of its pavilions, which are furnished as Junior Suites. The hotel consists of 38 individual pavilions, lake or shore, with a private terrace.
• LAKE PAVILLONS
Designed as independent units, the 24 lake pavilions are the only 5-star rooms on stilts in Europe. Like bubbles floating on Lake Neuchâtel, they radiate a romantic and magical atmosphere, allowing guests to reconnect with nature, with themselves and with loved ones sharing this inspiring stay. Beyond the large terrace, the neighbouring Alps form a unique horizon.
Each of the 24 pavilions has an individual bedroom, a bathroom with movable partitions that allow a view onto the lake from the bath tub, a separate toilet, an office corner and a large terrace with only the neighbouring Alps to block the horizon. Direct access to the lake through a small ladder from their private terrace.
In the summer the temperature of the water is around 23°.
• SHORE PAVILLONS
The 14 shore pavilions offer a unique setting for relaxing holidays in every season. From the office corner, the spacious private terrace and – thanks to movable walls – even from the bathtub: the breath-taking view of the lake is beautiful. Only a small path separates the bungalow from the lake where swimming is possible when the warm weather returns.

DINING
• LA TABLE
"La Table du Palafitte" is known as one of the best restaurants in Neuchâtel. With its bay windows, it overlooks the sumptuous surrounding nature and exudes a warm, friendly and personal atmosphere. In the kitchen, our Chef offers authentic dishes based on the rhythm of the seasons, with a special emphasis on regional and market products.
• BAR ”LE CADRAN”
With its name chosen to honor the local watchmaking tradition (Cadran is French for “dial”) Le Cadran is a chic and relaxed setting to pause your inner clock.
An aperitif with friends? Talk business over coffee? Celebrate after work? A romantic interlude? Le Cadran offers the time and place for unforgettable moments. Comfortable lounge chairs. Chic bar stools. All the ingredients are here, from trendy music to the extensive wine and cocktail list, including gourmet snacks and tapas.
The bartenders’ imagination and mixology talent produce expertly mastered classics as well as original creations and cocktails that can tailor-made to your choice of aromatic herbs, unusual liqueurs and secret recipes. At Le Cadran, the sky’s the limit.
Every Thursday from 17:00, the not-to-be-missed Afterwork gathering includes live music. And on every last Thursday of the month we offer a tasting evening focusing on a regional product offered for direct sale by some of the best local partners.
• THE SMOKING ROOM
Opening onto the lake and speciallyequipped with a high-tech ventilation system, the Palafitte Smoking Room ensures the pleasure of cigarettes and fine cigars without your clothes being impregnated with odors.
Available here too, are Switzerland’s Tres Hermanos cigars that offer complete satisfaction to connoisseurs. This Swiss brand was born from its owner’s passion for cigars that are light and exquisite, with fine and subtle flavors.
• THE SUMMER BAY TERRACE
This "feet in the water" terrace is the region's favourite spot from May to September. It borders Lake Neuchâtel and enjoys a magnificent view. The "beach club & tropics" spirit is present at the Palafitte all summer long with a cocktail menu - signed Belvédère - each one more star-like than the next.

SPORT & WELLNESS
At the Palafitte, you have the choice: simply let yourself be carried away by the passing hours in the comfort of your pavilion on stilts, or take advantage of your getaway, whether romantic or professional, to think about yourself.
Fitness sessions, outdoor activities, massage rituals, beauty treatments... everything is possible thanks to the experts and partners who are always ready to respond to your desire for sport, escape or wellness. Let yourself be tempted!
• FITNESS
The Palafitte offers you free access to the Marechal fitness centre, located just 5 minutes' walk from the hotel, for your training session. Cardio, weight training... Take advantage of the numerous equipments at your disposal, and when you wish, to take care of your physical condition.
• RITUALS
No need to leave the cocoon of your room. In the privacy of your pavilion or on your private terrace, our therapists will put their expert hands to work for your well-being.