Hôtel Les Vieux Toits, a quiet old farmhouse hotel near Neuchâtel
Hôtel Les Vieux Toits is a small hotel in the old village centre of Hauterive, in the Laténa area near Neuchâtel, in Switzerland. It has the charm of a very old farmhouse, quiet rooms and a good bus link to the city. It suits couples and travellers who value calm over modern polish.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hôtel Les Vieux Toits.
Where Hôtel Les Vieux Toits is and how to get there
Hôtel Les Vieux Toits sits on Rue de la Croix-d'Or in Hauterive, part of the Laténa area on the edge of Neuchâtel, in French-speaking Switzerland. Guests describe it as being in the middle of a pretty village centre, in a quiet, historic corner of the city's suburbs.
Getting around is easy without a car. Several reviewers say the bus link to Neuchâtel is simple, and the old hotel description mentions a bus stop very close by. One guest says you can walk downhill to the lake, where there is a beach and a marina with somewhere for a glass of wine. Driving is possible too, but see the parking note further down.
What the rooms and the house are like
The main draw at Les Vieux Toits is the building itself. Guests talk about the charm of a very old farmhouse, lovingly and tastefully furnished, and one visitor was thrilled to finally sleep in such an old house, with a date engraved in the door lintel.
Rooms are described as spacious, tasteful and very clean, with excellent mattresses and a walk-in shower in at least one case. The hotel's own text adds a sunny terrace and a lounge with a fireplace. One guest admits that the hotel "has seen some years", but adds that it is spotless and clearly looked after.
Not everyone agrees on the size. One reviewer found a room under the roof small and cramped, which is common in old attic spaces. If space matters to you, ask for a room that isn't in the roof.
Breakfast, drinks and where to eat
Breakfast at Hôtel Les Vieux Toits gets a thumbs-up from most guests. They mention a varied spread with bread, yoghurt, muesli, cheese, cold meats, juices and good coffee. The hotel also offers light meals, according to its old description.
In the evening, one guest enjoyed chatting over wine from the neighbouring winery with locals and the German-speaking owner. That sounds like a pleasant way to end the day.
Two cautions here. First, one visitor in August found that breakfast could not be served, and had it at a nearby bakery with tables on the village square instead. They took it in good humour, but if breakfast matters, confirm it when you book. Second, a guest points out that the only restaurant within walking distance is a gourmet one, so budget accordingly or plan to take the bus into town for dinner.
What guests say about Les Vieux Toits
With a Google score of 4.2 from 114 opinions, the picture is warm but not perfect. The reviews I'd trust most share the same themes:
- a friendly, helpful welcome from the owners, with good local tips;
- a calm, quiet setting away from traffic;
- charming, tasteful old-house interiors;
- comfortable beds and a decent breakfast;
- easy public transport into Neuchâtel.
Another guest liked that it works as a base for people who don't want to stay in the city itself but still want to be close to the walking country beyond it.
What to know before you book
I want to be straight about the negatives, because there are some. The harshest review, from a few months back, calls the service poor, the room old and dirty, the bathroom outdated and parking difficult, with only two spaces for the whole hotel. That person also felt the high ratings elsewhere didn't match reality.
It is a single opinion against many glowing ones, and the other reviews call the place very clean. Still, the parking point is believable for an old village house, so if you're arriving by car, ask about a space before you confirm.
An older review also found the price too high for a small attic room without breakfast. That's a matter of taste, but do compare your dates and options before you commit. And if you want a modern, polished hotel with a lift and a big bathroom, you may be happier elsewhere.
Who this hotel suits and what to do around Laténa
I'd choose Hôtel Les Vieux Toits for couples, for solo travellers who like quiet, and for anyone who prefers a house with history to a chain hotel. A family with one child stayed a night on the way through and was happy, so short stops work well too. Another option is Hôtel Plein Soleil in Vacheresse, if you are looking further afield.
In the area, the obvious ideas are the walk down to Lake Neuchâtel, an evening drink by the marina, and a bus ride into Neuchâtel itself. Guests also mention walking country further inland, in the direction of the Val-de-Travers, which makes the hotel a good base for hikers who don't want to sleep in the middle of the city.
Come with realistic expectations, a little patience with the age of the building, and Hôtel Les Vieux Toits in Hauterive is a lovely, calm place to stay.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
