I am wondering if anyone has stayed in Basel. I have seen some nice hotels on websites, but I have not found the right one. Can anyone recommend a hotel or B&B priced between $150.00 and $250.00 (American dollars) that is not modern or a business hotel. I'd like to find a place with some charm. Also I've heard many nice things about the city. Could you also give some ideas of where to go and what to see? Thank you

I've only been to Basel on day trips,but this summer am spending a couple nights there. After getting recommendations here, I've booked at Hotel au Violon, which appears to reek with charm, and is actually a small inn in a converted former prison. I'm paying 165 CHF per night, about $121 US. Their restuarant is also highly recommended. <BR>I see a website listed as www.au-violon.ch, but can't seem to get it to work right now -- although I know I've looked at it before. Their email is [email protected]. You might email them and ask about their website.

Hi Patrick,<BR>I was just trying to check on the hotel Au Violon, but could not get to the website for some reason. It sounds perfect; thanks for the response.

Actually their website that I had bookmarked is www.au-vilon.com (not ch), but I still get a &quot;can't find&quot; message. I have emailed them to see if their website address has changed. By the way, two of the recommendations for this place came from people who live in Basel.

Next to the Hotel Au Violon which is located in the former jailhouse of Basel,I highly recommend the Hotel Teufelhof. <BR>Small, charming hotel, each room differently decorated. <BR>But, difficult to get it.<BR>www.teufelhof.ch<BR>The Teufelhof, just like the Au Violon have both very nice restaurants.<BR><BR>PS: Aller au violon = going to jail.<BR><BR>

PS: www.au-violon.com works now!<BR><BR>Book rooms early in Basel, especially when trade fairs are on and even more during the large Art exhibit. <BR>Art 2003: June 18 - 23.

Hmmm. Still not working for me, Ursula. Maybe a problem between here and there?

Patrick, no idea, but you have a typo in your bookmark mentioned above... (au-vilon).<BR>Most important thing, you have your room booked!<BR>Anyway, I really hope you'll go to the Fondation Beyeler. It would be a shame, not to.<BR>www.beyeler.com<BR><BR>And you will like the restaurant at the Teufelhof, too. Within walking distance from the Au Violon. <BR>

OOps. yes that was a typo, but not the way I've been trying to access it. I can't figure out what the problem is. I've also been trying clicking links to it from other sites, but still get the same &quot;not available&quot; message.<BR>

Thank you everyone for your responses. Patrick, I have tried the website several times and it must be down. I will definitely check out the Au Violon Hotel and also the Teufelhof. Does anyone know what's interesting to see in Basel? Thanks

Jeff, I shall top an older post about Basel for you with some useful information about Basel.<BR>I've mentioned myself some suggestions there.

I was just in Basel last week-end and stayed at the 4-star Hotel Basel. Their web site is www.hotel-basel.ch<BR>I really enjoyed the hotel and plan to stay there again for a long week-end in Feb. It's very modern inside and my room had a nice view of the square. I paid 157 SFr for a single; doubles start at 208 SFr, I think. The rooms are very comfortable, modern furniture, excellent baths, everything spotless. The people working there were very friendly. Also, the hotel (as do some other hotels in Basel) gives you a &quot;mobility card&quot; which allows you to use the local mass transit for free during your stay (a definite must--the tram service in Basel is superb). The Hotel Basel also has a fun jazz bar, Sperber. The location is great--just off the main square. <BR>Basel is one of my favorite places in Switzerland--I worked there for several weeks last year. The job was awful, but I did get to see Basel! It's full of museums, has great shopping, excellent restaurants, good cafes. Great chocolate shops too!<BR>

Thanks Ursula, you gave me a lot of very good information. I've been to Switzerland twice, but have never been to Basel. I am looking forward to it!

I also checked the website - it works. I just copied the URL for the English version, maybe this works for you: http://www.au-violon.com/English_1.htm<BR><BR>Ingo

The mystery continues. Nope, Ingo, just tried again. There is no way I can access that website today. Earlier I emailed Hotel Violon and asked if their website had changed, and mentioned I was staying there this summer. Ten minutes ago my phone rang. It seems they looked up my phone number and called me to say they weren't sure why it wasn't working, but it is the correct web address. I was just amazed that they actually called me to tell me that. Anyway, she also mentioned that they are working on a new website and maybe that was the problem, but aren't you both in Switzerland, Ursula and Ingo? Apparently the problem is between the US and Switzerland since you can both access it, but we can't from the US today.

Just wanted to add a newer delightful place right on the Muensterplatz called 'Rollerhof'. It's not cheap, but definitely one of the good new places in town. We had a small family GTG over Xmas there and I am longing to go back.<BR>The site is only in German though.<BR>www.rollerhof.ch

Patrick,... no clue, try again tomorrow. <BR>But it's indeed amazing that they would call you overseas. Great service.<BR>Ingo is in Dresden, I think.<BR>I am in Zurich. <BR>But what a mistery, indeed.

Was in Basel not all that long ago. Stayed at the Hotel Drei Konige am Rhein. It was a great location and I quite liked the hotel. If you have not checked this one out, you can go to Leading Hotels of the World website. Think that is www.lhw.com

Ursula is correct, I am in Dresden/Germany. So the problem cannot be located in Switzerland. Maybe somewhere in the Atlantic ocean?<BR><BR>Patrick, did you try to copy and paste the address or do you type it in?<BR><BR>Very mysterious!!<BR><BR>Ingo

Jeff:<BR><BR>I am from Basel and in Basel (you have to be Swiss to understand this .<BR><BR>I second &quot;au violon&quot; it *is* an unusual building, and its location is fantastic (and its website, http://www.au-violon.com, works perfectly with me on a Macintosh with Netscape 6.1 and Explorer 5).<BR><BR>What are your interests? Art? Sports (soccer!)? Theatre? Ballet? Hiking? Fine wines and foods? Churches? Historic buildings? Museums? Feel free to ask!<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip.<BR><BR>Phil.