256 Best Hotels in Switzerland

Hidden in a parklike setting off the lake road, this mustard-color relais (inn) sits amid historic châteaux and country homes. Guest rooms with lawn and lake views have recently been updated and boast clean lines and neutral colors. Spacious baths have granite countertops, separate tubs and showers, and towel warmers. The bright breakfast room and fine-dining area spill onto a wide terrace. French cuisine dominates the menu, which ranges from fish specialties to local game.

Exposed stone walls and massive wooden beams lend to the traditional Swiss mountain lodge vibes of this busy family-run hotel behind the Gare Cornavin. Clean-lined guest rooms are decorated in crisp white and deep blues. Some have kitchenettes and studios have dormer windows and cathedral ceilings. For anyone traveling by train, this is the place to stay—the entrance is a few steps from the boarding area.

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.

Owners Marco and Gesa Brack run a very fine bed-and-breakfast in this converted farmhouse perched on the hillside of Gudo, between Bellinzona and Locarno. Furnishings are simple and tasteful, and each room has either a balcony with a spectacular view of the Ticino valley or a peaceful terrace. The shady terrace, discriminating wine list, and excellent homemade dishes using mostly organic ingredients are what attract visitors and locals alike to the adjoining osteria.

In the quiet town of Murg, this mod lodging is a high-concept boutique hotel overlooking the sparkling Lake Wallen. The rooms occupy a former industrial mill and range from an awkward four-story tower loft connected by a spiral staircase to more normal rooms overlooking the water. Biking, cooking classes, and other activities keep the place feeling fresh and filled with young, creative types.

Friendly and well decorated, this lodging is rated by many travelers as the best deal in town, and the location, in the Old Town just steps from the funicular, could not be more convenient. The staff goes out of its way to make your stay memorable, and what the hotel lacks in luxury it makes up for with excellent service. The breakfasts here put those served at other hotels to shame—from crisp green salads to homemade cakes, the delicious buffet suits every taste (and waistline).

Elegant interiors, attentive service, and fabulous Rhône views add to the appeal of this Asian-influenced hotel. Inside there's a feng shui-ed feel and an alluring mix of art deco–inspired and contemporary furnishings. Smiling staffers wearing elegant uniforms, lush floral displays, and a deliciously perfumed lobby greet you when you walk in. 

Chic nature-inspired rooms offer great value and a fantastic view from floor-to-ceiling windows to the surrounding mountains. Located in a shopping, entertainment, and office high-rise complex—fantastic if traveling by car—the hotel is located directly off of the motorway, yet connected to the town center by bus within 5 to 7 minutes. It's a practical starting point for day trips to Arosa, Lenzerheide, Heidiland, Flims Laax, or the Via Mala, all within an hour's drive or train ride.

Part of the Autograph Collection, this intimate hotel in the business district, a few minutes from Paradeplatz and a block from the Tonhalle, melds its 1930s heritage with contemporary design. Rooms are handsome in deep gray and beige, accented by dark oak, buttery leather, and modern art. For something extra special, book a rooftop suite with private views over the surrounding district and lake. The restaurant is Mediterranean-influenced, serving seafood, meat, and vegetables in dishes such as venison ravioli with morel sauce or fried sea bass with blood-orange risotto.

Das Morgen (The Tomorrow) is the world’s first hotel dedicated to neuroscience---probably not the concept you’d expect to find in a rural lakeside setting, but perhaps less surprising given the number of science-focused start-ups in the region, some of whom are based in Das Morgen’s co-working space. Rooms are bright and white as if starched, softened by Scandi aesthetics, some with hanging rattan egg chairs, and each displays insights into various scientific themes: in room 318, you can drift off musing to insights into human consciousness, while room 311 focuses on instruments and voices. There are the digital aspects you’d expect---your smartphone acts as a room key and a remote control for the lights, electronic blinds, and TV---and rooms can be booked to suit single travelers, couples, or groups of up to six. Three restaurants---‘Yesterday’, ‘Today’, and ‘Tomorrow’---explore Swiss, global, and futuristic flavors. You might try hand-cut beef tartare with chive cream or roasted salmon with crayfish velouté followed by lukewarm chocolate cake with pickled kumquats. Two robots are part of the team, but the location is charmingly, and traditionally, Swiss as it sits at the foot of a mountainside jangling with cowbells and steps from the station for the Rigi cogwheel railway.  

Nevaï is an old-fashioned word for "snow" in some remote villages, but this sleek, contemporary hotel's name is the only thing about it that isn't up-to-the-minute. The perfect choice for vacationing cosmopolites who want in-room Bose speakers, flat-screen TVs, a restaurant and bar, and a spa, it also offers picture-perfect Alpine views out the large windows (including those in all rooms). One of the hottest places in town to party—it's also home to the legendary Verbier dance venue Farm Club—this centrally located hotel ticks all the cool-kid boxes.

This urban-chic, centrally located hotel (from the same owners as the Krafft Basel) with a young and lively vibe offers design-conscious rooms and a casual eatery with cocktail bar that attracts stylish locals and visitors. Spacious guest rooms either have all-concrete floors and walls with accents of wood and bright colors ("Urban Club Rooms") or bright woven carpets with mod leather furnishings ("Design Rooms"); all feature sleek black tile bathrooms. Located in the back house, Urban Club rooms come with access to the Library Club, a lounge where guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, tea and cakes in the afternoon, and drinks at night, and they can work if they need to. The gym has a small, though high-quality, range of equipment as well as a sauna, and free hotel bikes can be used to explore Basel. In the evening, the cocktail bar/lobby is the place to chill.

Pairing wool-and-wooden materials with high-end entertainment systems, this handsome hotel blends old chalet style with contemporary flair in its well-designed rooms and suites. The spa features an indoor saltwater pool, saunas, Turkish baths, and an extensive treatment menu, and three distinct restaurants cater to guests’ gastronomic desires. There's also a cocktail bar that serves sushi, plus a cigar lounge and a wine bar open by request. Special entertainment includes a 3D golf simulator as well as an ice rink in the hotel garden.

Modern with a gleaming white facade, an airy foyer, and a well-equipped fitness studio with a sauna, The Passage is an architectural "passage" from the bustling modern city at its front to the quiet medieval Spalenberg behind. Rooms and suites are done in all-white with hints of color; they have comfy beds and good-size desks. Baths have large-size rainfall showerheads. Several rooftop apartments with kitchens and terraces with views into the Black Forest can be booked for longer stays. Though there's no restaurant, drinks are available at the lounge bar off of the lobby or in the expansive courtyard.

This comfortable inn, dating back to 1845, combines down-home knotty-pine decor with soigné style. In the heart of Gstaad's pedestrian zone, it provides its young and chic guests with peace and tranquility. The popular café draws crowds, and the owners are enthusiastic skiers and can offer many tips on local adventures. The restaurant, full of linens and candlelight, serves good Swiss fare at reasonable prices.

A 10-minute walk from the Old Town, this glass-and-steel business hotel has modern rooms with spacious baths. The hotel staff is outgoing and extremely accommodating. Many locals and tourists come to try their luck at the casino.

An impeccably restored, centuries-old, patrician home is the setting for this luxurious hideaway tucked in a village just above Morcote. Be it an oversized birdcage chandelier or duck-egg blue chaise longue, the refined natural decor practically oozes understated glamour. Authentic local cuisine is offered in the Relais at La Sorgente or in the vineyard at Vicania. Guests are encouraged to discover the 172-hectare (428-acre) vineyard next door and sample vintages from the Castello di Morcote estate, or relax in the Mediterranean garden under the wafting odors of lavender and thyme. 

Lording over town, this stark hotel tower offers rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, dark-wood floors, separate shower areas, and neutral color schemes with purple accents. Walls are adorned with contemporary art that speaks to the neighborhood's industrial past. Touch-screen monitors in the lobby can direct you to local attractions. A tram station offers direct access to the city's main train station.

Sitting at 7,290 feet amid open fields and dense forests, this mountaintop option has direct views of the Matterhorn—especially breathtaking in the orange glow of early morning. Guest rooms have enchantingly stylish Heidi-esque woodwork, rich fabrics, sumptuous sofas, and whirlpool tubs. Dining options within the Riffelalp range from a wood-paneled restaurant and a stone-trimmed tavern to a terrace. Bliss out with chilling footbaths and organic saunas in the spa, which is crowned by an indoor pool that is a whirlpool extravaganza and an outdoor pool that is Europe's highest.

Directly on Lake Geneva, the historic hotel blends modern design and luxury with 19th-century Italianate framework. Guests are greeted in a stunning, multistory atrium with black-and-white marble floors, Italian-style balustrades, and an impressive crystal chandelier. Rooms with large windows that offer sweeping views of the Jet d'Eau, Mont Blanc, and the Old Town are decorated in muted grays and creams. Two excellent restaurants, including the Nordic-inspired Fiskebar, round out the luxe experience.

No need to book a lake view room at this quaint hotel on the shoreline—all rooms provide a beautiful glimpse of Lac Léman. While it won't win any prizes for its traditional interiors, the hotel boasts simple, spotless rooms that channel the calm and serenity of the area. Two restaurants leave guests spoiled for choice: Downstairs, informal Le Pavois has a well-priced menu du jour at lunch, while the upstairs dining room is a bastion of refined French and Swiss cuisine.

Behind its dark-wood, red-shuttered chalet facade dating from 1892, this large, welcoming hotel invites you in with cozy wing chairs and bookcases in the lobby lounge and dining rooms—perfect spots to lounge in on rainy days. Guest rooms are decorated in carved pine and have tile baths. Service is attentive, unhurried, flexible, and extremely friendly, which more than satisfies the loyal clientele. The elegant Schmitte restaurant, aglow with decorative wall paintings and mint hues, serves nouvelle Swiss cuisine. For more casual fare, head to the rustic Gaststübli. There's also a pool, saunas, a steam bath, and a bowling alley.

For a unique experience, you can sleep in an 8,000-liter wine barrel amid the vineyards below Heidi Village (or a second location nearby in Jenins [Schlaf-Fass Blauburgunder Jenins]); the aged oak barrels are decked out in red-and-white plaid and surprisingly cozy. Although the bed takes up most of the space, you can enjoy your optional fondue dinner (with wine included) outside on a massive wooden picnic table with stellar views or, if the weather's not good, in an adjacent oak barrel outfitted with a table. Guests also get homemade regional specialties in a picnic basket and a delicious breakfast spread. The host and hostess are both winegrowers, and knowledgeable about the wines of the region. Heidi Village is just a pleasant 15-minute stroll away.

This hotel has an expansive spa, not to mention lofty views of the mountains and glaciers, and you can opt for a rate that includes a four-course dinner in addition to breakfast. Rooms are spacious and simple, but some more elaborate suites feature whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The relaxing Alpine spa features a series of saunas and steam baths, as well as a hot tub, swimming pool, and fitness room. The glass-enclosed relaxation room is particularly nice, with great views.

Across the street from its parent hotel the Teufelhof, the SET’s minimalistic yet thoughtful rooms feature sitting nooks, work desks, and minibars with regularly refilled filtered water. Spacious contemporary guest rooms with black and wood accents may not be luxe, but they have everything you might need for a pleasant visit, including comfortable beds, separate toilets with sinks, air conditioning, and plenty of outlets for all your devices by the bed. Larger apartments for longer stays include dishwashers, washing machines, and stove burners. An inviting area in the front of the hotel serves as the “lobby,” with large tables for working or dining and a fine selection of cakes and other snacks from an outpost of Confiserie Beschle. The basement gym may not be large, but its curated selection of cardio machines and weights is enough to keep up your fitness routine on the go.

The sensor-touch heavy pine door that welcomes you to this garni (without a restaurant) chalet-hotel is your first sign of the happy marriage between charm and modern comfort here, followed by the welcoming family and small staff offering energetic and reliable service in a cozy space. The sizable, well-lighted guest rooms have wall-to-wall wood and rustic decor; all have en suite showers rather than bathtubs. Some rooms easily accommodate extra beds (for an additional fee). Tired, aching muscles can be replenished in the small but fortifying sauna, steam room, and relaxation area. An evening meal and weekly fondue night is offered during the winter season.

Nicely appointed and located just west of the Hauptbahnhof, this boxy hotel is a good deal if you're price conscious but still want something with a bit of style. The stone lobby sparkles, and vending machines on each level replace in-room refrigerators. Rooms have modular furniture, dark parquet floors, and white-tile baths; they are also designed for wheelchair use. The menu includes fair trade coffee, free-range eggs, local meat and produce, and sustainable seafood.

This stylish, comfortable, and centrally located hotel near the St. Gallen train station has a friendly staff and offers free Wi-Fi. Recently refreshed, the updated rooms nod to St. Gallen's textile roots, and feature fabrics from Jakob Schlaepfer and Christian Fischbacher. Rain showers are featured in all bathrooms.