17 Best Hotels in Fribourg and Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Guests reserve months ahead for this quirky, high-style country inn noted for its fabulous gardens and fanciful theme rooms. The Mirabelle room has a stunning oversize curio case with treasures ranging from Russian nesting dolls to ceramic mugs, and the Cupidon room flaunts a cast-iron bath on rails—you can trolley out into the open air for a bath under the stars. Downstairs, the restaurant gives off an air of chic simplicity, a perfect setting for meeting the artsy locals and in-the-know guests who frequent this fun spot. The hotel can easily be reached by bus—take the No. 1 toward Portes de Fribourg/St. Leonard, get off at Poya, and stroll up the Route de Grandfey.

This thoroughly elegant, gracefully restored 19th-century hotel has a perfect perch on the lakeshore; on a clear day there's a splendid view of the Alps. The warmly lighted interior, with high ceilings and wild-cherry wood, exudes calm. Two-thirds of the spacious guest rooms have lake views, and the generous bathrooms are decked out in white marble. The sophisticated restaurant, O'terroirs, offers some of the best dining in town and a fine selection of wines, also on tap in the comfortingly low-key Véranda Bar. The B-Spa and gym complete the deluxe hotel experience.

In the pedestrian zone at the foot of the château, this delightful, entirely environmentally friendly hotel offers light, modern, spacious guest rooms with warm color schemes inspired by the spices for which they are named. Cheaper rooms are a bargain but share a bath (they have their own sinks in the room). The café and terrace offer inexpensive but good organic fare.

Delicious views make this hotel a treat—breathtaking mountain and valley views are definitely the main attractions. The four largest rooms are spacious and cheerful, and have traditional wood decor and edelweiss-embroidered bed linens. The hotel's restaurant and pizzeria are strikingly anchored by a massive fireplace and leads out to a large, light-filled winter garden. Bathrooms are sizable and clean, if a little old-fashioned.

This modest 19th-century hotel across from the train station overlooks the tile rooftops, sparkling lake, and white-capped Alps. Although the building has been modernized, it preserves the original parquet floors and stone steps. Along the pale yellow corridors, fresh flowers hide in niches. The gold-and-red-checked bedspreads in the guest rooms echo the colors found throughout this sunny hotel. A lovely park surrounds the terrace.

Standing outside the gates of Gruyères, this family-friendly hotel shares the same views of the valley and castle as in-town lodgings, but without the noise. The decor in the guest rooms mixes regional antiques, handsome woodwork, and ceramic stoves with contrasting color schemes. Although the hotel doesn't have a restaurant, breakfast is served in the dining room. Additional meal plans are offered using the restaurant of the sister property Hostellerie St-Georges.

Talk about having it all: this converted 19th-century winegrower's home has stylish rooms with marble bathrooms, a lakefront location, a to-die-for terrace and garden, and even an indoor pool. There's great food available in the bistro and restaurant Wednesday through Sunday, as well as a renowned wine cellar. Located in the Fribourg Vully wine region, the hotel is by the canal that connects the Murten and Neuchâtel lakes. Incidentally, ours means "bear" in French, which explains the teddy bear in each room. The hotel is 3½ km (2 miles) north of Murten.

In a typical 17th-century sandstone house, this hotel is within walking distance of museums, churches, the cathedral, and Old Town. The hotel is friendly and familial; all the rooms have been renovated, but the old-world charm has not been lost. It's on Fribourg's main street, so ask for a back room if you are a light sleeper.

Right on cobblestoned Rue du Bourg, this beckoning small hotel has large, airy rooms that tastefully mix bright Tuscan colors with traditional pine furnishings. Rooms in the rear overlook the valley, and front rooms gaze out on the village. The honeymoon suite, with its pretty four-poster bed, is ideal for a romantic getaway. The restaurant serves steaming fondue, raclette, local trout, and other Swiss dishes. Special low rates in the quiet season are attractive.

At this attractive seven-story hotel, guests are treated to modern, quiet, and spacious studiolike rooms at very good prices. The location is central, but if you want views, easy parking, or glitch-free Wi-Fi, spend a few more francs to stay elsewhere. It's blessed with an elevator—not always the case in Switzerland—so there's no need to worry about luggage transport.

This long-established family hotel is about a block from Estavayer's harbor. It makes up for the lack of a view with quiet guest rooms, all of which have been modernized (one has a whirlpool tub). There are lots of on-site activities, including a kids' play area in the garden. There's a restaurant and a café, with terrace and garden dining in season.

A six-minute drive from Fribourg, this modern budget hotel appeals to those traveling by car. At the edge of town and near the highway exit, it is close to the casino and the convention center. Guest rooms are simple, and triple-glazed windows keep out most of the noise from the main road. Some rooms have pullout beds, so children under 12 can stay for free. Two rooms are fully equipped for people in wheelchairs.

In the heart of Murten's Old Town, this cluster of patrician houses dating back to 1428 conjures images of centuries gone by. Yet step inside, and the modern sits well alongside the revered history of this establishment, thanks to the sensibilities of the Joachim family, which has been running the show since 1978. Rooms and suites are individually designed and vary greatly; try out the Royal Senior suite if 16th-century baroque drawing rooms are your thing. The tavern and veranda are pleasant venues for the generous morning spread, and a changing à la carte fine-dining menu keeps you sated in the restaurant.

Unique in Europe, this one-level hotel is partly built on piles on Lac de Neuchâtel, giving it unbeatable clear-day views that include the distant Alps. Located 3 km (1½ miles) from Neuchâtel's city center in outlying Monruz, this design-centric complex has 40 "pavillions," some on the shore and some over water. A wide array of room amenities even include a ladder from which occupants can descend into the lake for a swim. Many consider the hotel's restaurant, La Table de Palafitte, to be one of the best in the area. Terrace dining is spectacular here.

With an ideal setting, the Schiff has a sheltered terrace overlooking a shady park and waterfront promenade. Inside, you'll find an eclectic collection of heavy wood furniture and antiques, sometimes overwhelmed by the floral wallpapers that can make some guest rooms feel cluttered. The gourmet restaurant, Lord Nelson, has lake views and wraps around the garden. Specialties include local fish and inventive combination dishes such as beef tournedos and giant shrimp. Bicycles are welcome, and the staff can help you rent one in town.

In the gorge of Vauseyon, 10 minutes from Neuchâtel, this restored 18th-century brewery sits alongside a roaring woodland stream. Polished beams, yellow-sandstone highlights, and lush views are undeniably atmospheric, and every individually decorated guest room has lovely whitewashed walls. The glass-roofed winter-garden restaurant (closed Sunday) offers one of the best meals in the region with its innovative seasonal cuisine, or you can enjoy a simpler lunch on the terrace overlooking the stream. Take the tunnels under Neuchâtel toward La Chaux-de-Fonds, exit toward Pontarlier-Vauseyon, and look for the hotel's signs.

A cloister in the 17th century and an inn during the cattle-market days of the 18th and 19th centuries, this sophisticated auberge now has a striking blend of minimalist furnishings and medieval details. In the guest rooms, whitewashed stone walls hide TVs, and sleek bathrooms include elegant vanities. The cozy restaurant (closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday) serves gourmet seasonal cuisine under an original vaulted ceiling.