In the heart of Old Town Lucerne, Barabas - Hostel offers a unique blend of Swiss charm and Japanese flair. Relax on the serene terrace or explore the tranquil Japanese garden, then challenge friends at billiards or arcade games. Guests rave about the helpful staff.
Barabas - Hostel puts you within a 10-minute drive of Chapel Bridge and Swiss Transportation Museum. Guests looking for a bite to eat can check out Izakaya Nozomi, which serves Japanese cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. Other features include a terrace and a garden. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.
At a glance
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Hotel size
60 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in/out available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
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Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
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Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
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Pets
Pets allowed (1 total)*
Service animals welcome
Restrictions apply*
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi and wired internet access in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No onsite parking
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Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:00 AM–10:30 AM
Restaurant
What to do
Pool table
Bicycle tour information
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Ski area nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Tour/ticket assistance
Luggage storage
Facilities
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Arcade/game room
Bicycle parking
Vegan dining options
Vegetarian dining options
Locally-owned & organized tours & activities
Local artist showcase
Local culture & ecosystem education
Double-glazed windows
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Comprehensive food waste policy
Comprehensive recycling policy
Accessibility
Elevator
Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
Well-lit path to entrance
Hardwood flooring in room
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating (climate-controlled)
Fan
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Eco-friendly toiletries
Hair dryer (on request)
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi and wired internet
More
Daily housekeeping
Eco-friendly toiletries
Bulk dispenser for toiletries
Energy-saving switches
LED light bulbs
Water-efficient showers only
Water-efficient toilets only
Special features
Dining
Izakaya Nozomi - This restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Reservations are required.
Fees & policies
Mandatory fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out. Fees may include applicable taxes:
A tax is imposed by the city: CHF 1.00 per person, per night. This tax does not apply to children under 12 years of age.
Tourism fee: CHF 2.40 per person, per night
Optional extras
Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately CHF 13 for adults and CHF 13 for children
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of CHF 10 per pet, per night
Policies
This property uses a grey water recycling system.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a smoke detector on site.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB International, Union Pay
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
Guests traveling with a service animal must contact the property prior to arrival.
Does Barabas - Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Barabas - Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Barabas - Hostel?
Yes, pets are welcome, with a limit of 1 total. There's a charge of CHF 10 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
Is parking offered on site at Barabas - Hostel?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Barabas - Hostel.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Barabas - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at Barabas - Hostel?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Grand Casino Lucerne (12-min walk) is nearby.
What is there to do at Barabas - Hostel and nearby?
During the winter, enjoy nearby recreation like skiing and return when the snow melts for hiking and mountain biking. Additional recreation nearby includes spelunking. Enjoy amenities like an arcade, a picnic area, and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Barabas - Hostel?
Yes, Izakaya Nozomi offers Japanese cuisine.
What's the area around Barabas - Hostel like?
Barabas - Hostel is in Old Town Lucerne, a short 9-minute walk from Lucerne Station and 5 minutes' walk from Chapel Bridge.
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Barabas - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.0/10
Cleanliness
9.0/10
Staff & service
7.8/10
Amenities
8.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Breakfast
Location
Shower
Air conditioning
Amenities
Toilet
Building
Old town
What guests liked
Breakfast was good with a great choice and excellent buffet. (4 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
May 12, 2025
Great stay
Matt
Matt, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 27, 2025
Great place
Paul
Paul, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 13, 2025
Great spot for a stay in Lucerne
Lovely hotel, so full of character and history. In a walkable area close to everything. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The mattress was really good. We loved our stay.
Leigh-Ann
Leigh-Ann, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 8, 2025
We had a private room which was giant, updated and very clean. Good location, highly recommend
Kayley
Kayley, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
Jun 12, 2025
Staff are very friendly and helpful!
Xiaohong
Xiaohong, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 25, 2025
It’s good location
Yinglan
Yinglan, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 13, 2025
Great ubication, great customer service.
Veronica
Veronica, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 25, 2025
Great stay and location for the price. Rooms are small but you know that going into it. Would book again!
Nicholas
Nicholas, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
Jun 8, 2025
Immersive prison experience 😊 Staff were great.
Eleanor
Eleanor, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 5, 2025
Staff was very good and they helped us with everything we needed. We would stay there again
william
william, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
May 27, 2025
Very interesting hotel previously was a prison therefore room was very small.
Ashwani
Ashwani, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 29, 2025
Very Impressed!
Felt extremely clean and comfortable, and the showers were really modern and super! They even made our beds each day. I was very impressed.
Naamah
Naamah, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 28, 2024
very good location near train station, attractions and restaurants
Verified traveler
2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 21, 2024
Excellent service, historic location and concenuent access to train station.
Sriram
Sriram, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 12, 2024
Great location and very friendly staff.
Judy
Judy, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 26, 2025
Everything was very well cleaned and well kept. The staff were very nice and helpful and the location is close to everything, and conveniently just a 10 minute walk from the train station.
Skye
Skye, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 30, 2024
Enjoyed my stay! Friendly and informative staff.
Alessandra
Alessandra, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 21, 2024
Nice place 👍
Inna
Inna, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Dec 28, 2024
Great Hostel with a history, not particularly sociable if that’s your thing, but perfect if you want basic accommodation in a great location.
James
James, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 14, 2024
This is a great place to stay for artsy enthusiasts.
Vomo
Vomo, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 22, 2024
It was a super neat experience to sleep at this hostel, probably one of the best nights of sleep in my life. Fantastic location, on the far edge of the tourist zone
Daniel
10/10 Exceptional
May 23, 2025
The hotel was an old prison and the rooms are former prison cells so this is really interesting. The layout is a bit tight, but beds were very comfortable. No AC but there is a fan and it was cold during our stay so all was well. The bathroom is functional, clean and a good lay out. Breakfast was great. It is very convenient, within the old city and an easy walk to the train station.
Samuel Patrick S.
Samuel Patrick S., 2-night trip
6/10 Good
May 20, 2025
The staff was very helpful. The facility is pretty old and no AC.
Chai-Jing
Chai-Jing, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 5, 2025
Great place. Not my first stay. Really friendly staff. Great location. Lots of parking for bikes and motorbikes just outside. Only thing was that I asked for a double and was in a twin, but I was warned that might happen.