256 Best Hotels in Switzerland

This former brewery turned hotel, spa, and thermal bath melds its industrial past with a sleek modern design. The lounge–breakfast room offers snacks throughout the day and has a 30-foot-high ceiling with bookshelves to match. The room’s vast chandeliers are made out of metal contraptions that were once used to dry beer bottles. The Hürlimann Suites, designed as duplexes, are housed where the beer was once fermented. This is where the old industrial building is most visible, because rooms here have been built inside the shell of the original structure. Guests have specially timed exclusive access to the thermal baths.

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.

Of the scores of luxury hotels in Switzerland, this gleaming grande dame stands apart—its neoclassical flourishes seamlessly restored to period opulence, its vast waterfront grounds manicured like a country estate. Every inch of marble, crystal, and polished mahogany sparkles like new. Guest rooms have many modern touches—remote light controls, towel heaters, Wi-Fi. The hotel has a trio of top-notch restaurants: the romantic Anne-Sophie Pic, the lively Café Beau-Rivage, and the Miyako sushi bar. You can also enjoy the lake views over breakfast in the glass-enclosed La Terrasse. The sybaritic spa, umbrella-canopied terraces, meandering footpaths, and a hovering staff make it easy to understand why some guests stay the season.

Amid beautiful lawns and gardens, this graceful old mansion has its own lido directly on the lake for secluded swimming along with contemporary guest rooms that feature oak floors, elegant textiles, and limestone bathrooms. Corner and lakeside rooms are definitely worth the higher price. The restaurant's gourmet menu changes regularly, but its lake vista is always in season. The wine cellar has the finest selection of wines in the region (you can also buy a bottle to take home). The hotel has an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor whirlpool, a nice choice of saunas, and a well-equipped gym.

Perched up a small hill toward the western end of town, the Bergwelt is a blend of Alpine lodge and chic abode; it features brown-and-tan rooms with comfy beds, a spa with small indoor and outdoor pools, and a large lobby perfect for watching the scene. Though guest rooms are on the dark side, red plaid accents on the bed frames liven them up. Many rooms include balconies, though not all have mountain views. Suites have fireplaces, and two include private saunas; for larger groups, the hotel also offers apartments and residences with two and three bedrooms. BG’s Grill focuses on (what else?) grilled meats, and the mixologists at the Seven Spirits Bar whip up a fine cocktail. Besides the pools, the Fire & Ice Spa also includes saunas, a relaxation room, treatment rooms, and a fitness room.

Stepping inside this energetic property with an imposing facade, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a modern, stylish interior, making for a fantastic juxtaposition of old and new. Contemporary rooms have sleek wood floors, curved light fixtures, oversize chairs, writing desks, and the occasional architectural flourish such as rounded windows or sloping eaves. Some rooms include small balconies. Shiny black-and-white bathrooms feature Rituals products. The well-regarded in-house restaurant, Volkshaus 1914, serves lunch and dinner in atmospheric surroundings, and the rooftop Attika bar is open six evenings a week for a nightcap.

This compact, charming hotel on one of Bern's main shopping streets has plenty of late 19th-century French flair, with cozy art nouveau guest rooms and Moulin Rouge posters in the breakfast area. Rooms are simply furnished but comfortable, with triple-glazed windows and coffee and tea makers. You can enjoy drinks or breakfast on the bustling front terrace when the weather's fine.

In the bustling heart of the Old Town, this adults-only hotel has a tongue-in-cheek combination of sleek modern lines and gilded frames and fat cherubs, and though the rooms are small, they are well designed, with dark hardwood floors, white linens, and jewel-toned accents. The cherubs are the only little ones you'll see, as children are not admitted as hotel guests. The in-house pizzeria with its wood-burning oven is popular with tourists and locals.

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, much of which comes from their nearby farm in Montezillon.

Like staying in the cozy mountain chalet of a friend with good taste, The Capra combines Alpine-style wood-paneled walls and an abundance of fireplaces with modern art, delicious local cuisine, and a luxurious spa. Rooms, accented in warm woods and woolen textiles, boast ultra-comfy beds, and all have balconies with town and mountain views. Brasserie 1809 focuses on local and sustainable ingredients, with most products coming from within a 150-km (93-mile) radius. The Peak Health Spa has indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and steam room, and a separate gym; daily yoga classes are on-offer.

A quiet tree-lined street in one of Lausanne's nicest neighborhoods masks this lodging's proximity to the train station. Rococo-style architecture is emphasized by embossed wallpapers, textured upholstery, and sweeping draperies in the nicely decorated guest rooms. The marble lobby and guest-room baths are polished to a high gloss; other aspects of innkeeping are equally as bright. Relax with a glass of wine in the French-influenced Carlton's Bar, knowing you are minutes from the Métro and the lakefront promenade.

Dating from 1250, this hotel oozes romance, and that doesn't even take into account its garden setting and enviable address across from the waterfront. The interior is rich with frescoes, wood beams, and heavy masonry, lightened with a contemporary touch, and each room is different: a wrought-iron bed in the back tower, a blue wooden canopy bed in Room 205, and a lavish front tower room with a loft. A private courtyard is perfect for summertime dining, or you can just take a dip in the isolated pool.

Named for the owner's grandfather, a baron who discovered the village in the early 1900s, this luxury Relais & Châteaux hotel is packed with antiques and collectibles from old farmhouses and châteaux. Guest rooms, outfitted with hand-carved headboards and richly textured fabrics, are named for wildflowers. To work out those après-ski kinks, visit the revamped spa's infinity pool, which offers a breathtaking view of the Alps. The epicurean Franco-Italian menu at La Table d'Adrien changes frequently and serves imaginative dishes like venison with hazelnuts and cherries in a blueberry-vinegar sauce, whereas the more classic Grenier serves seasonal comfort dishes and cheese specialties.

Housed in a 350-year-old chalet, this bed-and-breakfast is charming yet modern, and boasts both an extremely helpful host and a delicious breakfast. Its guest rooms are outfitted with pale-wood furniture and discreet carpeting. The quads featuring double beds and a set of bunk beds are especially suitable for families. Some bathrooms have tubs as well as showers. Its cozy lounge, complete with big sofas and a fireplace, is ideal for rehashing the events of the day. In addition to breakfast, evening meals are served.

Dutch chain citizenM, known for budget prices and artsy, designer spaces, opened this 160-room hotel complete with a lively bar, bakery, and canteen in 2019 in a 1950s building. There are several SocietyM meeting rooms and a lofty reception area. Rooms come in just one category; they are compact with large, fluffy beds and big windows with blackout blinds.

Built in the shape of mountain peaks, this classic hotel perched high on a hillside above Montana has been refurbished in a contemporary style that's purposefully understated to let the views take center stage. Tasteful touches include modern art on the walls and marble and wood accents throughout the hotel; though room decor is on the standard side, it's enlivened by a touch of plaid on the chairs and curtains. The hotel's restaurants offer everything from casual bar food to Alpine specialties to elegant Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. The spa, built with wood and natural stone, has a heated swimming pool and large gym—again with glorious views.

Less is definitely more at the easyHotel, where guest rooms are compact, minimalist, and decorated with up-to-date (though basic) decor and vivid colors. Some rooms are windowless—these are snapped up by bargain-hunting travelers—but be aware that the hotel has no air-conditioning, so not being able to crack open a window can be an issue during hot nights. Though there's no lobby to speak of, there is a downstairs lounge area where you can hang out or grab a snack from a vending machine. There's also a late-night restaurant right next door.

This cozy, hidden family-owned gem offers refurbished rooms playing up local stone and wood; room balconies feature excellent Matterhorn views. It's just a 10-minute walk from Gornergrat railway and the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. The food and wine are especially excellent, while the cellar spa with steam room, sauna, and thermal bath are not to be missed.  

In the center of town, this wood-chalet hotel has some of the best views around, an appealing spa area, and a fine choice of on-site restaurants. Rooms have an intoxicating blend of chandeliers, rustic woods, and cozy furnishings. As for amenities, they can be mixed—generous seating areas in some, tight built-in nooks in others; whirlpool baths versus standard tubs—so quiz the reservationist to ensure you get the room you want. The array of restaurants is scrumptious, ranging from the folksy, painted-wood extravaganza that is Cäsar Ritz to a Tuscan-style trattoria. The ambience is nearly more tempting than the food. The wellness area with mock grotto pool and waterfall has a nude sauna and unique steam and spa treatments.

A historic hotel with a sustainable mindset makes this fourth generation property not only a standout, but also a model for green hospitality across Switzerland. Among their environmentally friendly practices are biodegradable bath products, natural cleaning products, motion-activated lighting, QR-code hotel information, and food leftovers donated to animals at the Basel Zoo. Regardless of these noble efforts, the century-old hotel has plenty to brag about including a spacious hydro-sauna circuit, complementary mini bars, organic breakfast, and three categories of 1920’s style rooms: Smart, Gorgeous, and Awesome—the latter featuring a kitchen. Through their organization, Responsible Hotels of Switzerland, they have challenged other Swiss hotels to adopt this earth-saving philosophy.

Located in a former industrial center between the airport and the city's center, this hotel exudes modern charm with an open-plan ground floor that features a central 360-degree bar that seamlessly merges with casual lobby seating and an inviting restaurant overlooking an open kitchen. The stylishly neutral rooms reflect high quality and a tasteful simplicity. Committed to sustainability, their 'think global, act local' ethos permeates every aspect, from state-of-the-art environmental heating and cooling systems to the cuisine and cocktails crafted from locally sourced produce.

A mountain retreat since the late 1800s, and a member of Swiss Historic Hotels, the designer setting of this stately mansion perched above St-Luc's main thoroughfare mixes antiques and collectibles with sepia photos, rippled mirrors, orchids, and fur pillows—the handiwork of the woman who owns the hotel with her husband. Stepping-stones lead to the wrought-iron entry, and floors creak and window frames sigh in cozy guest quarters, which have hung on to their character through various updates. Gourmet dining is part of the top-drawer ambience (in the winter, a nightly five-course dinner is included if you stay four nights or longer), as is an ultramodern, grottolike pool and spa.

Anita Brookner set her novel Hotel du Lac in this lakefront doyenne, where readers find an abundance of refinement and global sophistication proffered beneath the Relais & Châteaux banner. Dramatic Asian decor in the lobby and lounge are a sharp contrast to soothing pastels and honey creams that outfit luxe guest rooms. The veranda takes on a garden-party air at Sunday brunch, when, fortunately, hat and gloves are no longer de rigueur. An intimate spa and the only outdoor pool in town add to the attraction for today's discerning sojourners.

This monumental landmark, founded in 1870, was once home base to Cesar Ritz, the man who invented the world's first modern luxury hotel. It is no surprise, then, that the inner sanctums of this lodging trumpet an ornate splendor, down to the last cupola, crown molding, and Corinthian column. The hotel's mansarded facade stretches the length of two city blocks, dominating the lakeside promenade. Brass, marble, and inlaid wood accent the high-ceilinged Empire-style guest rooms, and the domed bar is decked with mahogany and aglitter with crystal. It's also home to Luzern's only hotel swimming pool, with windows onto the lake.

Although it cozily refers to itself as a family "pension" (albeit the largest in Switzerland), this fantasyland castle that towers above tiny Gstaad has a splendid spa, tennis and squash courts, chauffeured Rolls-Royces, and other amenities. There's a gorgeous indoor-outdoor pool, with a glass floor that's placed on top for dancing on winter nights. Conscientious travelers worried about missing out on the local experience, rest assured: the guest rooms have rustic touches such as heavy curtains and padded headboards, though you could almost play hockey in the sprawling tiled baths. The kitchen serves four lavish restaurants, with renowned guest chefs conducting internationally-themed cuisine weeks.

This resort hits the trifecta: comfortable American-style accommodations, impeccable Swiss service, and warm Brazilian hospitality. The lavishly appointed property, owned by Brazilian hotelier Nati Felli and her Swiss husband, Giancarlo, is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Outside, sweeping views of the Alps form the backdrop of the leafy 9-hole Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course. Inside, the high-tech rooms are big enough to samba in, and faux-fur-topped king-size beds are a delightfully fluffy spot to collapse. Rooms include air-conditioning and humidification—very unusual in the Alps. There's also a full-service spa, a fitness area with cutting-edge equipment, and a sleek pool with a sexy peekaboo window into the sauna. The hotel is rich in unique amenities including a large kids' playroom, billiard room, cigar lounge, and 15-seat theater. But the restaurant's wraparound terrace, where guests gather to watch the pinkish alpenglühen (the Swiss version of the northern lights), is the big draw.

At the kitsch-happy farmhouse that's been expanded to a small inn, you can have a snack and take in the view or spend the night; rooms are basic but tidy and functional. The restaurant serves up local specialties, and there's a lovely terrace where you can enjoy a glass of wine. As you'd expect from a hotel in Heidiland, kids are very welcome; keep them occupied in the attached Peter & Heidi Playground.

This made-for-Instagram hotel with a young vibe offers pared-back rooms in moody browns and grays, a small restaurant with eclectic food, a co-working space, and a weekly roster of rotating activities included in the room price, from canyoning to jet boating to e-biking. Well-designed, if a bit basic, rooms come in singles, doubles, triples, or family rooms that sleep four, some with loft beds. Lisi restaurant offers a mix of sharing plates and main dishes influenced by the neighboring countries of Italy, Austria, and France, along with traditional Swiss dishes such as sliced veal and Rösti. If you need to fit in some work during your travels, the co-working space includes high-speed Wi-Fi, and drinks and snacks are available.

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.