256 Best Hotels in Switzerland

This no-nonsense base in Zürich has modern interiors accented in the brand's signature plum color and a convenient location for visiting the universities. Rooms come with box-spring beds and coffee machines, but not all have air-conditioning—a point to check if you're booking for the summer. Zürich main station is within walking distance, a journey made quicker by heading three stops north on Tram 7 or 15 to Central. It has no restaurant, but snacks are available.

Close to the train station, this former guild house turned hotel impresses with its grand staircase, glass elevator, and ornate ballroom where Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann once entertained. Each of the 30 guest rooms has its own unique character, and many have fine views of the Old Town. Five rooms have air-conditioning.

This relaxed, contemporary hotel in the charming Altstadt is draped with living plants, neon art installations, wicker chairs, and hanging lanterns. The 46 rooms come in 11 varieties, including doubles, singles, and suites with kitchenettes, kid’s rooms, and terraces.

The leafy, panoramic setting this hotel enjoys at the top of Zurich, near the zoo, is something to behold—and at affordable rates, too. The trade-off is that it's about 5 km (3 miles) outside the city center—a change-of-pace place—but Tram 6 heads straight from the hotel to the Hauptbahnhof in 20 minutes. The building dates from the 1900s, and rooms weave this classic styling into a modern aesthetic of polished wood and neutrals. It's worth requesting a room with a lake view, but they're all thoughtfully detailed, with kettles and bathrobes to make your stay cozy, and they even come with a laptop backpack for day trips. The restaurant, decorated in juicy hues of raspberry and teal, has a panoramic terrace, and from its open kitchen serves seasonal fare like venison with creamy juniper sauce or fish of the day from a Swiss lake with boiled potatoes. There's also a bar and, from October to February, a fondue chalet. 

For an appealing mix of traditional and modern in a central city location, the Hotel Belvédère provides old-fashioned Swiss charm in its woodsy guest rooms and a more contemporary look in its inviting public spaces. The enormous white building is conveniently above the main street, though a handy shuttle service also takes guests to and from the train station. Guest rooms are decorated in warm tones; all rooms at the front of the hotel have south-facing balconies with town and mountain views. The bar and lounge area, with beautiful carved ceilings, has thoroughly modern and comfy furniture and a cozy fireplace that invites lingering; the formal restaurant, which serves international cuisine, has been spruced up with hip lighting and cool colors, but retains its elegant character. If it's cold outside, the murals of tropical birds and plants around the indoor pool provide a comforting illusion.

Sleeping under the roof of the Olympic medalist Pirmin Zurbriggen's hotel may not make you a better skier, but the view elicits dreams of starting gates and downhill races. Flexible configurations with fully stocked kitchenettes sleep a couple or expand to include a pack of friends. Near the cable car to the Matterhorn's glacier paradise, this ultramodern larch-wood-and-glass structure has plenty of amenities, including flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines in every room.

Though there's not much local charm (and nothing particularly "Swiss" or "Heidi" about the hotel), the double rooms are clean but simple and the suites are modern and much larger, all for a reasonable price for the area. An easy-to-get-to location off the motorway and near the train station makes this a practical base for discovering the region or conducting business. You can get a basic meal at the on-site bistro, or grab a drink at the lounge, open only in the winter.

This historic, 19th-century building has been turned into stylish luxury apartments that offers all the amenities of an upscale hotel. The large rooms feature tall ceilings, crisp white walls and linens, a sleek and functional kitchenette with a Nespresso machine and fridge that is restocked daily with water and juices. The kitchen and complimentary laundry service make it ideal for a longer-term stay. 

Renovated in 2020, this bright, contemporary hotel boasts spacious guest rooms, some with Alpine views; Italian and Asian restaurants (plus a rooftop grill during the summer); and a slightly removed but still convenient location within walking distance of the Altstadt. Guest rooms, designed in neutral colors and soft pastels, use sustainable materials and include large desks; some have small balconies. All bathrooms feature walk-in rain showers. There's also a cocktail bar and casino on-site.

This modern apartment-hotel, ideally situated at the foot of the Oltschibachfall waterfall, only 500 meters (1640 feet) from the Hasliberg ski resort and a short walk to the train station, offers cozy apartments with large balconies in a contemporary Alpine style. The resort comprises six buildings with apartments ranging from two to four rooms, which sleep from four to eight people. All apartments include kitchens with ovens, stoves, and sinks; some also have dishwashers. If you'd rather not cook, the Bistro, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, specializes in burgers (meat and veggie) and fondue. You’ll find a small onsite sauna, too, though you’ll need to reserve a spot in advance. The hotel also caters to children with an inviting playroom and games room inside, and a playground outside. There's often a minimum stay required, from three to seven nights, depending on the season.

This friendly family-run hotel, which spans across two buildings, has bright, modern rooms with balconies, a delightful restaurant, and a relaxing spa area with indoor/outdoor thermal baths, all very close to the center of town. Modern Alpine-style guest rooms are on the simple side, but come in a variety of sizes from a single room to a family room; some are located in the main building and connected to the spa, while others are in the building across the street and connected to the restaurant. The 51° Restaurant serves tasty Valais specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The spa area includes four saunas (one accessed from outside), a steam room, and two thermally heated baths, along with the hotel’s namesake “hot pot,” a large wooden barrel kept at a toasty 42 to 44°C (108 to 111°F).

In a town of world-renowned musical heritage, it's appropriate that the rooms of this small modern inn, tucked in the sharp curve of an Old Town thoroughfare, are themed for jazz, rock, and blues stars. The black, white, and red interiors are far from kitschy in their sleek minimalism, and the top floor has views over the city's rooftops, with postage-stamp balconies and contemporary showers. An active wine bar doubles as the morning breakfast nook.

Art nouveau accents, pristine Alpine views, exposed beams, and jazz memorabilia from greats like Lionel Hampton, John Lewis, Hazy Osterwald, and Clark Terry punctuate the spacious, sunny rooms in this half-timbered inn that dates to the early 1700s. The parklike setting, five minutes by bus from the Hauptbahnhof, provides a tranquil alternative to city streets; Marian's Jazzroom warms things up in the basement during the school year. Napoléon's beloved Josephine once had lunch in the Park Pavilion.

Spectacularly perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Lugano, this mansion offers an unparalleled location and old-world service. Although the villa was built in 1868 for Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern, most of the rooms are either staidly modern or snoozily traditional, but this may not be an issue once you take a glance at the stunningly arranged pool-and-terrace complex encircled by a double staircase—a slightly baroque touch. Chef Christian Moreschi is renowned for his simple, graceful cuisine, making dining here a notable experience.

Set on a hill overlooking Lugano, Villa Sassa's lake and mountain views are so pretty, you might find it hard to leave the hotel to make the trek into town. The state-of-the-art wellness center is a popular workout hub for local and visiting athletes. Rooms are bright and clean, and each unit has a balcony. The hotel is a 10-minute walk downhill to town, or you can skip the hill and take the funicular for CHF1.30.

This cozy, family-run charmer, a five-minute walk from the main train station, offers both a convenient location and friendly service that have helped make it a favorite since its opening in 1896. Individually designed rooms are accented with burnished wood and include balconies. A mini-spa with a hot tub, steam room, and sauna is just the thing you need after a day on the slopes. A restaurant serves local cheeses, fondue, raclette, and fondue Chinoise (meat cooked in broth).