2 Best Hotels in Bern, Switzerland

Name: Bellevue Palace Bern
Address: Kocherg. 3–5, Bern, Bern, 3000, Switzerland
Telephone: 031-3204545
Price range: $$$
Location: Altstadt

Bern has plenty of top-quality hotels, many of them with magnificent 19th-century characteristics: towering ceilings ornately accented with stucco moldings, balconies with curlicue belle époque iron railings, domed corner turrets, and miles of marble floors. A step or two below, price-wise, are some older venues that tend toward the generic. But today's owners and managers are waking up to the fact that flowered prints and dusty blue carpeting are just a little too 1980s, even if they're spotlessly clean. These new entrepreneurs are ripping up old floor coverings to expose and polish up the often centuries-old parquet underneath; they're whitewashing the walls, installing state-of-the-art entertainment systems, upgrading the bathrooms (or just plain adding them), and fixing up the rooms with simple, modular furniture that keeps the prices at a level the average traveler can afford.

One truism here is that most, if not all, of Bern's hotel staffers are professional, cheerful, and accommodating. And most of them speak at least three languages comfortably, one of which is sure to be English. If you can, book in advance, because music festivals, trade conventions, sports events, and parliamentary sessions (March, June, September, and December) can fill rooms fast. Rates drop on weekends, when there is less demand.

Bellevue Palace Bern

$$$ | Kocherg. 3–5, Bern, 3000, Switzerland Fodor's Choice

A pretension-free mix of belle époque elegance and contemporary ease defines this impeccable hotel, built in 1913 to accommodate government visitors. The stately property, next to the Bundeshaus, features intricate moldings, golden-beige brocade, crystal chandeliers, and art nouveau stained glass. Guest rooms are outfitted with modern amenities like granite bathrooms with heated floors and classic touches like Louis XV–style bergère chairs. Rooms on the fifth floor have sleek modern lines, glass showers, and sloped ceilings. The elegant main restaurant, VUE, uses seasonal ingredients to create artful dishes and menus, while the more contemporary Noumi offers eclectic small plates and interesting cocktails. An attractive gym with separate saunas for men and women beckons from the top floor.

Schweizerhof Hotel & Spa

$$$ | Bahnhofpl. 11, Bern, 3001, Switzerland Fodor's Choice

Luxurious yet practically appointed, this hotel's rooms feature sophisticated yet neutral tones that appeal to both business and leisure travelers, while its renowned restaurant and a rooftop terrace offer stunning views of the city and the Alps. You can enjoy drinks and nibbles on the panoramic Sky Terrace when the weather's nice (with raclette and fondue in winter), or afternoon tea in the winter and cocktails year-round in the cozy Lobby Lounge Bar. If you overdo it while exploring the city, treat yourself to a massage in the small but well-appointed spa, or try out the 24-hour fitness room.

Bern

Bern

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