My husband and I stayed at the Grand Hôtel des Bains in Yverdon (Switzerland) for one night end of June 05. Considering the rather high room rate of 340,- Swiss Francs, we were expecting a true 4-star house with all the usual amenities.
Unfortunately, only the main lobby and the bar can really live up to the price. The wing with the hotel rooms was constructed in 1987 and has not been renovated since. The rooms - and especially the bathrooms - are tiny and not very welcoming (the bathrooms are full plastic!).
Apart from that, we also had a few problems with the service. We asked for an additional pillow at 5.30 pm and were promised prompt delivery. When we got back to our room after dinner around 10.00 pm the pillow was not there yet. The food was not stunning either; on the contrary: there were birds flying in through the open windows and helping themselves from the buffet (the salad buffet at night and the breakfast buffet in the morning). We were astonished to see, that the personnel did not care at all. My husband and I obviously did not eat any salad and we only opted for packaged foods for breakfast...
When we checked out, we complained about all the above and were granted a 40,- Swiss Franc reduction on the room rate. Still, all in all, the Grand Hôtel des Bains is absolutely nothing to recommend - although they will apparently be doing major renovations in 2006.
Oh, by the way, if you think the Grand Hôtel will be on the lake of Neuchâtel, you're all wrong. You do not even get a glimpse of the lake from the hotel.