Hostel with a restaurant, a short walk to Chapel Bridge
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hostel has a 24-hour front desk and an arcade/games room. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include express check-in, express check-out and tour/ticket assistance.
Barabas - Hostel offers 60 accommodations with free toiletries and fans. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include a shower. An iron/ironing board and hairdryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Barabas - Hostel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Chapel Bridge. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and breakfast (surcharge).
Free WiFi
Enjoy Japanese cuisine while dining at Izakaya Nozomi
Buffet breakfast served daily for a fee
Services include tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
Just a 5-minute walk from Chapel Bridge and 7 minutes by car from Swiss Transportation Museum
Pets welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
There's a restaurant on site. Public spaces have free WiFi. A terrace, an arcade/games room, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Barabas - Hostel.
This 3-star Lucerne hostel is smoke free.
For a fee, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast daily from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
Izakaya Nozomi – This restaurant specialises in Japanese cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Reservations are required.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: CHF 13 for adults and CHF 13 for children
A restaurant
Restaurants on site
Izakaya Nozomi
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Bicycle tours
Billiards/pool table
Family friendly
Arcade/game room
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Hardwood flooring in room
Lift
Well-lit path to entrance
Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
More
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Comprehensive food waste policy
Comprehensive recycling policy
Double-glazed windows
Local artist showcase
Local culture and ecosystem education
Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
Smoke-free property
Vegan dining options
Vegetarian breakfast available
Vegetarian dining options
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer (on request)
Private bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
More
Bulk dispensers for toiletries
Desk
Eco-friendly toiletries
Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
Fan
Heating (climate-controlled)
Iron/ironing board on request
Laptop workspace
LED lighting
Water-efficient showers
Water-efficient toilets
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available
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
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets: CHF 10 per pet, per night
Maximum 1 pets
Restrictions apply
For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees.
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
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
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately CHF 13 for adults and from CHF 13 for children
Pet fee: CHF 10 per pet, per night
Service animals are exempt from fees
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property uses a grey water recycling system
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
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.
Guests traveling with a service animal must contact the property prior to arrival.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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
Rating 10 - Excellent. 172 out of 392 reviews
10 - Excellent
172
Rating 8 - Good. 149 out of 392 reviews
8 - Good
149
Rating 6 - Okay. 44 out of 392 reviews
6 - Okay
44
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 392 reviews
4 - Poor
14
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 392 reviews
2 - Terrible
13
9.0/10
Cleanliness
9.0/10
Staff & service
7.8/10
Amenities
8.2/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Jason
Travelled with family
4 Jun 2025
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.
Jason
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
6/10 Okay
Ashwani
Travelled with partner
27 May 2025
Very interesting hotel previously was a prison therefore room was very small.
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.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
6/10 Okay
Chai-Jing, Sugar land
Travelled with family
20 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff was very helpful. The facility is pretty old and no AC.
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.
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.
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.
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.