Neuchâtel is a nice baroque town in the west of Switzerland and the capital of the canton with the same name. The city is situated on the Lake Neuchâtel. The word Neuchâtel is a mixture of German and French and means literally Newcastle. The history of the city began in 1011, when King Rudolf III presented a new castle on the North West shore of the lake to his wife. That’s the place, where the town grew.
Today Neuchâtel belongs to the French speaking part of Switzerland. Progressive architects mix some futuristic buildings among the many barque- and renaissance houses of Neuchâtel. The new museum of the writer, dramatist and painter Friedrich Dürrenmatt, who lived in Neuchâtel till his death, is a typical example for that. Another futuristic architecture is the complex of the Hotel Palafitte. The hotel, unique in Europe, is set on piles in the lake. Several pavilions in the lake are only connected by stages.
The 5 stars Hotel Palafitte, opened in 2002, features 40 rooms, each in its own pavilion. All of them offer a breathtaking view across the lake to the Swiss Alps. All rooms have a bright contemporary décor and are equipped with designer furnishings. The bathrooms are spacious and include Jacuzzi bathtubs. The regular equipment of the rooms comprises climate control, air conditioning, telephone, TV, radio, wireless LAN, high speed internet connection, voice mail, DVD player and much more.
All Hotel Palafitte rooms have balconies, mini bars and safes. A restaurant with a terrace and a bar invite their guests to enjoy regional specialities as well as Mediterranean food. The restaurant Le Colvert provides in bright, maritime ambience a traditional Swiss cuisine and Mediterranean fish specialities. Sitting on the terrace makes the visitors feel like being aboard a mini cruiser. Le Bar is elegant and cosy arranged in a contemporary style. That’s the best place for having good conversations, drinks and cocktails.
For conferences and seminars, suitable rooms are offered by the Neuchatel Hotel Palafitte. Facilities for recreation and sport activities are nearby the hotel. Things to do in Neuchâtel are fishing, swimming, golf and tennis.
