Barabas - Hostel
Location: Löwengraben, 18, Lucerne, 6004, Lucerne, CH
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
About this Property
Discover Barabas - Hostel, where comfort meets convenience in the heart of Lucerne.
Scenic Spaces
Relax and soak in breathtaking views from our terrace or unwind in the lush garden, perfect for moments of tranquility.
Delightful Dining
Savor delicious meals at Izakaya Nozomi, offering a scrumptious buffet breakfast daily, ensuring you start your day on a delightful note.
Modern Amenities
Enjoy complimentary wired and wireless internet access and convenient express check-in and check-out to streamline your stay, all while being just minutes from local attractions like Chapel Bridge and the Rosengart Collection.
Experience the vibrant charm of Lucerne with the comfort of Barabas - Hostel. Secure your stay today!
Important Information
- Guests can arrange to bring pets by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section).
- Contactless check-out is available.
- This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
Policies
Check-in: 03:00 PM - anytime
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Express check-out
- Arcade/game room
- Comprehensive recycling policy
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Terrace
- Garden
- Luggage storage
- Express check-in/check-out
- Wheelchair accessible
- Picnic area
- Elevator
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Arcade/game room
- Express check-out
- Mountain biking nearby
- Smoke-free property
- Express check-in
- Billiards or pool table
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Rock climbing nearby
- Cave exploring/spelunking nearby
- Eco-friendly toiletries
- LED light bulbs
- Grey water recycling system
- Japanese garden
- Mountain climbing nearby
- Bicycle parking available
- Well-lit path to entrance
- Vegetarian breakfast available
- Locally-owned & organized tours & activities
- Showcase for local artists
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Double-glazing on all windows
- Energy-saving switches
- At least 80% of all lighting comes from LEDs
- Comprehensive food waste policy
- Vegan menu options available
- Vegetarian menu options available
- Comprehensive recycling policy
- Bulk dispenser for toiletries
- Water-efficient showers only
Rooms Available
-
Deluxe Double Room
1 Queen Bed
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Shared Dormitory, Women only
3 Twin Bunk Beds
269 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Shared/communal kitchen access
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Superior Twin Room
2 Large Twin Beds
215 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Non-Smoking, pet friendly
Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Standard Double Room
2 Twin Beds
118 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Standard Quadruple Room
2 Twin Bunk Beds
118 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Private bathroom (not in room)
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Triple Room
1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Bed
118 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
-
Standard Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm
3 Twin Bunk Beds
323 sq feet
Internet - Free WiFi and wired internet access
Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access
Sleep - Bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board (on request), and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping, climate-controlled heating, and fan
Accessibility - Hardwood flooring in room
Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries, energy-saving switches, and LED light bulbs
Need to Know - Shared accommodations, no cribs (infant beds) available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Shared accommodation
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Shared/communal kitchen access
- Private or shared bathroom
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- LED light bulbs
- Energy-saving switches
Guest Reviews
- Steven (10/5): - Wonderful Staff/ Great Place to Stay
- Laurie (10/5): - Unique property in a former jail. We stayed in the Hotel Nozomi portion. Quiet, comfortable beds, plenty of hot water, very clean. Everything in the room (Nozomi 3) seemed new and is in great condition. Breakfast was included and there were a lot of choices (granola, cheese, bread, yogurt, fruit, etc). A supermarket is across the street. Walkable from the train station. Take water with you as restaurants charge for tap water. We would definitely stay again.
- Sonia (10/5): - Room and bathroom were spacious and clean. Bed and pillows were very comfy. Staff was very helpful and kind. Breakfast was ok. The hotel is very well situated. Shops and restaurants are close by and short walking distance from the train station
- Niko (6/5): - Walkable
- Hsiu-Ying (6/5): - Clean room / basic Breakfast
- Mariam (10/5): - Barabas Hostel is in a perfect location , close to transportations, shops and picture opp of the place. I loved it. Well recommended. I would love to stay there again whenever I come back to Luzern..and would recommend to my friends, relatives and to everyone. Great place our dormitory is very spacious .Staffs are very friendly and accommodating. Thank you so much. Mariam of Alberta, Canada
- CARLOS (10/5): - Highly recommended!!!
- Miralla (10/5): Good place to stay! - We had an amazing stay at barabas hotel. The room we stayed in was huge the washroom was pristine.Everything was clean. Room had coffee machine and fridge with soda in them. Lots of storage space.The self check in was not working when we arrived, however they have 24 hr reception and one of the staff members helped us right away. The breakfast was basic . I would highly recommend staying at this location. We really enjoyed our day here and truly appreciate the fact they offer free luggage storage before and after checkout.
- Jennifer (8/5): Incredible value in Lucerne - Perfect location in the old town, very close to everything and a short walk from the train station. The room could get a bit stuffy but thankfully they provide a fan. I’m not sure what the temperatures would be like during the height of summer but it was fine in September. Bathrooms in the rooms aren’t the most private. Staff were friendly. Would stay again for the price/location.
- Denny (8/5): - The property is a fun idea of staying in prison, it is barebones but clean with a really good breakfast. I would recommend Barabas to anyone in Lucerne.
- Robert (10/5): - Right in the heart of Lucerne with everything very close by. Very helpful front desk staff and super clean.
- John (10/5): - Good location, clean room and overall good option for Lucerne.
- Sajid (10/5): - Best experience of 2 nights. Everything just 5 mins walk away even Luzern station 5 mins walk.
- Landon (10/5): - Perfect for two people! Easy to check into and close to all the major attractions in Lucerne.
- James (10/5): - Unique stopover in Lucerne. Whole family loved their night in prison. Friendly staff. Very clean. Fantastic location. Great value.
- Verified traveler (8/5): - The rooms are very clean but could do with a few more home comforts it really is like being in a prison cell
- Kristin (10/5): - Great, central location. Perfect for any type of traveling - youth groups, families, solo... Great hotel for a great price.
- Jane (10/5): - Basic, clean & affordable! Former prison, interesting experience! Easy walk to everywhere. Recommended.
- Ronald (6/5): - It was a different experience for the three of us. It felt claustrophobic. Maybe good for only an overnight stay. We had 3 large luggages and it was cumbersome to even open them all at the same time. Space was very limited. No chairs, no tables, no TV. The bathroom door had no handle from the inside so it was difficult to close. Bathroom was clean though.
- Jennifer (10/5): - Some of the rooms used to be prison cells. Pretty cool. Our room seemed very new, simple, but clean. We were able to walk to the train easily. We also walked to the Lion Monument, the Watchtowers, the river and shopping.
- Ana Liza (10/5): - .
- John (8/5): - Quirky to stay in what once was a prison
- Leigh-Ann (10/5): 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.
- Eduardo (8/5): - The staff was great
- Karin (10/5): - Super friendly and helpful staff. Room, shared bathroom and building in general very clean. Excellent breakfast buffet. Looking forward to my next stay!
- Maham (8/5): - Claustrophobic room and washroom with zero ventilation (I guess that's expected with prison cells?) but customer service was amazing. Thank you for your flexibility!
- Wei hua (6/5): - Everything was good except there is no AC so it was extremely hot.
- Leonardo (10/5): - I really loved this hotel. It has really nice rooms and had AC and the staff was really nice. We also tried their restaurant which was really good. Breakfast was good. We stayed in the Japanese style rooms. If I come back to Switzerland I will stay here the whole time.
- Jianwei (8/5): - The hotel is an economic stay if you don’t mind living in a dorm style room.
- Xiaohong (6/5): - Staff are very friendly and helpful!
- Kayley (10/5): - We had a private room which was giant, updated and very clean. Good location, highly recommend
- Eleanor (6/5): - Immersive prison experience 😊 Staff were great.
- Jason (6/5): - Great location in city center. Close to transportation. Is previously jail, so remember you are staying in a jail cell, limited space. Noisy at night from other guests who tried opening our door to our cell(room), lock did not appear to be secure- could see the latch about 1/4 inch in the latch.
- Ashwani (6/5): - Very interesting hotel previously was a prison therefore room was very small.
- Nicholas (8/5): - Great stay and location for the price. Rooms are small but you know that going into it. Would book again!
- Yinglan (10/5): - It’s good location
- Samuel Patrick S. (10/5): - 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.
- Chai-Jing (6/5): - The staff was very helpful. The facility is pretty old and no AC.
- Veronica (10/5): - Great ubication, great customer service.
- Matt (10/5): - Great stay
- ESter (8/5): - Accessibility
- Robyn (10/5): A willing prisoner - We were surprised to find our accomodation used to be a prison and our room was one of the cells. It was adequately but sparsely furnished in keeping with the theme. Everything was clean and tidy and the staff were very helpful. A fun and different experience.
- Naamah (10/5): 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.
- Paul (10/5): - Great place
- william (8/5): - Staff was very good and they helped us with everything we needed. We would stay there again
- Lisa (8/5): - 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.
- Skye (10/5): - 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.
- Janet (8/5): - Interesting property with many retained aspects of the old prison. Rooms ate obviously small, with little storage, no hair driers etc. slightly disconcerting obscured glass loo and shower 'box' in the room. Great breakfast, with good choice.
- James (8/5): - Great Hostel with a history, not particularly sociable if that’s your thing, but perfect if you want basic accommodation in a great location.
- Daniel (10/5): - 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
- Neha (10/5): - Nice property
- Andrea (10/5): - Super friendly staff and comfy beds!! The shower was fantastic. Super cool that it is an old prison!
- Alessandra (10/5): - Enjoyed my stay! Friendly and informative staff.
- Sriram (10/5): - Excellent service, historic location and concenuent access to train station.
- nian (8/5): - Not too far.
- Verified traveler (6/5): Very nice staff, awkward bathroom - The staff was extremely friendly and helpful! The reason for 3 stars is comfort: the bathroom is improvised in the living room, with partially transparent glass walls, so for non-couples family trips it makes for an uncomfortable experience.
- Karen (10/5): - Very nice room in Old Town. We stayed in the Japanese part and skipped the prison cell experience. The whole place is fun. We also ate at the Japanese restaurant in the hotel. Very good.
- Emma (8/5): - Comfy beds and good size rooms. The doors were quite heavy and loud to close, especially if being left to close on their own, which isn't great with people coming and going at all hours
- Aaron (10/5): Honeymoon stay - Awesome place. Right in the heart of Luzern. Can walk everywhere. Super comfortable beds and clean.
- Sharyn (10/5): - Unique and interesting
- Claudio (10/5): - I went with my parents and everything was great. high recommended
- Verified traveler (6/5): - The location is fantastic and the facilities are very clean, however, the room is very hot with just a table fan and the wifi in the room is pretty much non existent, but consistent everywhere else in the hotel.
- Brett (6/5): - This place is an old jail, takes a minute to get used to. Unique, stay experience. Rooms are small, but get the job done for a night stay. Would not recommend if you spent time in a real jail, it might feel confined. Haha
- Verified traveler (8/5): - very good location near train station, attractions and restaurants
- Steve (8/5): - If you want basic this is it. Converted prison which means very small rooms.
- kevin (10/5): - Truly unique hotel experience! Great staff and in a perfect location to experience Luzerne!
- Inna (10/5): - Nice place 👍
- Kamlesh (8/5): - Overall good just we didn't find dinner facilities only McDonald's and subway
- Ingrid (8/5): - You must stay just for the experience of staying in a former prison! Love that they had different artifacts and history throughout each floor! Staff was very friendly and helpful!
- april (4/5): - I would not recommend if you are claustrophobic or if the weather is hot. The rooms are VERY small with a very small window. The location is fantastic. The place is very clean. The housekeeping staff lost my daughter’s retainer (800 dollars) and staff was rude about it. But again it’s clean and affordable and close to the chapel bridge area. .
- Stephane (8/5): - Parking a little far
- Bobby (8/5): - Definitely a unique experience, we were travelling with 7 and had 2 rooms. One room was on the second floor, other was on the third. 2nd floor room was at least 5 degrees cooler than 3rd floor room (though the fan helped slightly). Not a place you would want to plan on spending time in your room necessarily, but worth a visit.
- Ye (8/5): - staff is not very friendly
- Teresa (10/5): - El hotel es fantástico, ubicación muy cerca de todo caminando, limpio, el personal muy amable, tal como se describe, nos encantó!! Regresaria 1000 veces !! Gracias.
- Kirsten (8/5): Encourages togetherness - It was squishy, but the beds were comfortable. We had our own bathroom, but unfortunately the sewer smell made it unpleasant to spend much time in. We appreciated the fan as it was quite warm due to the summer temperatures. All in all, a fun place to spend the night- very well located to the sights in Luzern.
- Beth (8/5): - This was a fun stop for us. We stayed 2 nights, the location was perfect for walking everywhere in Luzern. The kids thought the prison was cool. Their patio is great. The reception staff was so kind and friendly. The breakfast staff was rude but Natasha (if i remember right) made up for him.
- Eyassu (8/5): - Very small prison sale but clean and efficient.
- Ericka (8/5): - Great hotel near shopping and in the city center. Rooms are very small and very warm despite fans since there is only one tiny window and no air flow. It is, after all, an actual prison. Just be aware. We parked approximately 10 minute walk away and it was 29 francs for 24 hours. Very attentive and helpful staff.
- Rachel (8/5): Interesting hotel, convenient, pleasant staff - This hotel was interesting. We were late in finding reasonable prices hotels in Lucerne. NOTE: everything is very expensive in Switzerland now; higher prices compared to France. But my daughter and I thought staying in a prison turned into hotel was interesting me the back story is cool. The rooms are tiny. But we did not spend much time inside. Our window opened onto the street which was noisy in the morning. We are early risers so we didn’t mind. But if you like to sleep in maybe ask for an internal room. Nice staff, very convenient to lake, shopping, everything you would want to explore.
- monita (8/5): - Locations ok for me room is clean and Share bathroom have a little kitchen
- Timothy (10/5): - It's because it was in prison. Not because it was a prison. Unless you want the ambience, it's cute, clean, and a great area. Also very helpful.
- maria Pia (8/5): Nice stay - The location was perfect, we could walk everywhere and visit the main attractions. I would only improve the breakfast buffet that is very poor.
- Jhonathan (10/5): - The hotel experience was great, love the layout and old prison theme. The outdoor can get a bit noisy and the room was a bit stuffy but overall cool experience. Would recommend as the location is also great.
- Anna (8/5): Had a wonderful stay - We had an amazing time at Barabas well worth the price. its newly renovated, clean and its at the center of Old Town.
- Rochelle (10/5): - The place is very convenient. Very close to attractions in Lucern. We only stayed for one night in this place. Bed is comfortable. Room is small but it has all the essentials.
- Alena Laura (10/5): - Stayed in the Hotel Nozomi side. Very spacious room and bathroom for 2 people. Has great aircondition. Walking distance to lots of great dining options and shopping! Staff were very friendly. Just for improvement purposes, I hope the breakfast had more variety. Other than that, amazing stay overall.
- Anthony (10/5): - The atmosphere of a converted prison is unique. Parking across the river in the Altstadt parkplatz worked fine. Not the most convenient but if you want to stay in the old town it's pretty much required. Would stay again.
- marie (8/5): Different Experience - serve its purpose in the city and inexpensive. close to everything. staff help with directions etc . Was an experience. Was tight lol how old jail cells with the difference that had a small complete bathroom inside the room
- Brad (10/5): - Rooms are clean and safe. Just really small. Nowhere to leave suitcase or even sit other than the bed. They could use more couches in the hallways and more common area since the room is only for sleeping.
- Joju (6/5): - Location
- Riken (6/5): - Note that this is a prison turned into a hotel, so that the rooms are very very small, we were taken by surprise looking at the size of the room.
- Mellanie (10/5): - Super comfy bed
- Aisha (10/5): - Great hotel stay! The prison vibe was different and super fun and the rooms were nice and tidy. Super great location with lots to do around us. 10/10.
- Kyuyoung (10/5): - Staff is really kind! Everything is convenient!
- Judy (10/5): - Great location and very friendly staff.
- KENNETH (10/5): - The place was perfect. Economical, has interesting history, the staff were gracious, welcoming, and helpful, the location is convenient, and I slept wonderfully. I highly recommend this place and will plan to stay here again on my next trip through Lucerne.
- Vomo (10/5): - This is a great place to stay for artsy enthusiasts.
- Alex (10/5): - Barabas Hostel was well-located and clean. The room was small and styled very similar to a prison, but this is prominently advertised and a core feature of the experience. Free coffee and tea was available 24/7 and there was a lounge area available for everyone to use. The front desk was attentive and very helpful.
- Lokesh vinodkumar (2/5): - The rooms were really small. Although the staff was good. There was 1 checkin machine which took like 20 mins for checkin
- Jeannette (10/5): Cool former prison that's clean w helpful staff!! - My friend and I really enjoyed our stay. Our room was clean and in good condition. I loved reading about the history of the building and see artwork from a former prisoner in the common room. No breakfast during the winter, but there was coffee and tea downstairs. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. Great place!
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