Can anyone suggest well-located 3 or 4 star hotels in these cities? Your suggestions are gratefully appreciated.

In Basel, we stayed at Hotel au Violon, quite nice. Former prison or jail, but now wooden floors, fresh linens, deluxe shower! We walked from the train station but it is quite a distance. From the hotel, we walked to the Munster, town hall, and the river. We used the tram (I think you get a free pass at the hotel desk) for a few hours to explore further. We were only there an overnight.
http://www.au-violon.com/

In Lucerne, we stayed at a 2*, very basic but clean and functional, and would stay again. It might be a shade 'down market' for your tastes. It is on the 'wrong' side of the river, which matters not at all, since there are two footbridges to cross over to the 'old town'. We walked everywhere in Lucerne, and took a short lake cruise to Weggis.
http://www.goldener-stern.ch/hotel_e.htm

I really like the Kunsthotel Teufelhof in Basel. www.teufelhof.com
I think there is more than one Teufelhof, bookable at that site, but the Kunsthotel is very well situated and has loads of character. Individual rooms are decorated by mostly local artists giving the entire place a unique, one-of-a-kind feel.

Type in "Luzern hotels" in the "search this forum" box and you'll get tons of threads with recommendations.

Luzern hotels are expensive. For my money, a river/pilatus-view room at the Hotel Des Alpes, about 245chf/nt double with breakfast, is as good a deal as you will find. Other places are less expensive. However, the convenient location (just across the bridge from the train depot), view, great breakfast and excellent restaurant, make this a very good choice. Other hotels are fancier (e.g., Des Balances, National, Montana), but infinitely more costly.

Hi BigAppleTraveler,

In Luzern, I liked the 4-star Hotel Des Balances, right next door to Des Alpes.

In Basel, I haven't stayed there but would really love to -- the Hotel Krafft, right on the river.

Have fun!

s

Thank you all - I'll check them out!