Hôtel Palafitte.

Constructed for the Expo.02 national exhibition, Hôtel Palafitte is the only hotel in Europe built on stilts, sitting directly over the water of Lake Neuchâtel. The architecture pays homage to the ancient pile-dwellings discovered by local archaeologists, reimagined here as 38 high-tech pavilions. Each room is designed as a standalone junior suite, featuring integrated home automation and private terraces that offer unobstructed views of the lake and the Alps beyond. While the "Rivage" pavilions sit on the shoreline, the "Lacustre" units are positioned entirely over the water, complete with ladders for direct lake access. The aesthetic is sleek and minimalist, centered around an airy restaurant and bar with a terrace that feels more like a private deck on a moored ship.