I will be in lausanne in November and was wondering if anyone has ever been to this hostel or can recommend one. Also, are your belongings safe? I have never stayed in a hostel, but thought it would be cost efficient because I am alone.
I stayed at the Jeunhotel for a couple of nights. It's clean, has fair prices and friendly staff. It's only not very central but you get the 'lausanne transportation card' for free (free use of bus/train/metro in lausane for the length of your stay).
To the OP: I've stayed there, and it is very nice (if you get a lake view, it is spectacular). I can't guarantee the safety of your possessions, but we never had any problems, and it seemed a nice, clean, well maintained kind of place, even if there were too many young people for my taste.
I have stayed in severa; IH hostels in Switzerland - all very clean and tidy. MOst have lockers where you can store your stuff ( in fact they should be used to kepp communal areas tidy.) Bring your own padlock though as that is how it generally works. Apart from that - a hostel is only as safe as its guests at any time, so there may not always be total security . Personally, I have never had a problem ( and I always use the cheaper dorm rooms. )
I have stayed here (twice!) and really liked it. The rooms are on the side facing away from the train station, so you don't suffer from the noise. The bathrooms are opposite the bedrooms facing the train station. There is a large well equipped kitchen there too and lots of restaurants in the neighbourhood. The staff are very friendly and willing to help. It is more like a hotel than a traditional hostel. I think there were lockers you could padlock too for storing your things.
I can only agree with this from my recent stay. CHF88 a night for a fifth floor room with lake view is great value for Lausanne. The bathroom was only shared with one other room so no problems there. The bed was made every day and the room was comfortable. Apart from the shared bathroom and no TV it was comparable with many 2 and 3 star hotels.
There was only an occasional rumble of trains passing but that was no worse than traffic noise etc that you may experience anywhere.
As well as the kitchen facilities there were vending machines for hot and cold drinks including beer at CHF3.00 for 500ml.
I have stayed at the Sion Youth Hostel (IH) - I paid for a bed in a dorm room, then had that whole room to myself for several days :-) The manager was friendly and helpful and the breakfast was adequate.
For a room in a "dorm" (4 beds) I am paying CHF 50.45 with half board, would be CHF 35.20 for room plus breakfast.
The price is right, and with the current USD to CHF conversion rate that is very important for me. If I could afford it I would definitely choose something better.
Let me add two features to the savings ... free WiFi, and you can BYOB to dinner (they will also sell you beer and wine, bring your own, its much cheaper).