LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Netherlands must be the top-ranked team at the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland when it comes to their choice of accommodation.

With their three Group C matches all in Berne, the Dutch have chosen Lausanne, which is 100 km away, as their base and are staying at one of Switzerland's most luxurious hotels.

The Beau-Rivage Palace will cost the Dutch FA (KNVB) a fortune since the cheapest room is 290 euros (232 pounds) a night and the Dutch party includes about 60 people in total.

Each room is equipped with wireless internet connection (WiFi), satellite TV, a Jacuzzi and several other special features that should make the players feel at home.

"It all looks fantastic but as a player you are on such a schedule that you hardly use the facilities," former Netherlands striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, who was part of the squad that prepared in Lausanne for the Euro 2004 finals, told Reuters.

"You stay more often in your room as there are other guests in the hotel and you don't always want to get approached for a photo or conversation," he added.

All the Dutch players have their own rooms, which has been the case since former international Frank Rijkaard was appointed as coach after the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

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Before that two players always shared but Rijkaard, a member of the 1988 European Championship-winning team, decided players needed their privacy at international tournaments.

"I preferred always to share a room with a team mate as it felt cosier, but sometimes it was good to have some privacy," added Van Hooijdonk, who retired last year after spells at Nottingham Forest, Benfica, Fenerbahce and Feyenoord.

"In the evening most guys came out of their room if they wanted company. Four years ago it was not only the older guys but also the youngsters like Rafael (van der Vaart), Wesley (Sneijder) and John (Heitinga) who also preferred company."

"But there are some players you hardly see, apart from during training sessions and at dinner for example."

The Dutch players can view Lake Geneva or the beautiful gardens surrounding the hotel from the privacy of their rooms in a restful resort among the world's wealthy where a luxury suite facing the lake costs at least 2,400 euros a night.

But it is not just the guests who have access to the hotel and curious locals have been visiting to try to catch a glimpse of the players who face world champions Italy on Monday followed by World Cup runners-up France and Romania.

"You don't have the idea that only the richest people in the world are there because there are several people coming in just for a drink and to see the players," said Van Hooijdonk.

If all that luxury results in a successful campaign at Euro 2008 the hotel can also provide the Dutch with a 100-year-old steamer, Le Montreux, for a celebratory cruise on the lake.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)