94 Best Hotels in 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.

On the hill above Wengen (a bit of a hike from the town center, but that may be a virtue), this friendly family-run lodging offers the kind of views that made Wengen world-famous—a vista of mountain majesty with the nearby buildings nearly hidden by trees. Happily, the southern-exposure guest rooms come with balconies to take in the beauty. Pampering is close at hand: sink into a couch in the lounge, relax with a massage or visit to the sauna area, or enjoy a dip in the indoor pool or the bio-pond (complete with fish and lily pads). The highly rated restaurant lets in lots of light through its wide windows, and the bar is very cozy. Rooms are spacious and mostly modern—some have elegant brass beds and more traditional, rustic style.

Overlooking the famed Giessbach Falls, this 19th-century belle époque showplace trimmed with fancy woodwork and topped with turrets offers lovely scenic views from almost any vantage point. The lobby has high, chandeliered ceilings and period furnishings in golds, yellows, and soft pinks. Stucco angels, full-length oil portraits of Swiss beauties, and other Proustian touches will have you feeling like an off-duty aristocrat in no time. Guest rooms are comfortable and spacious, and the communal maxibar offers free beverages and fruit around the clock. Les Cascades restaurant has a glorious orangery overlooking the falls, and Le Tapis Rouge is a serious gourmand affair.

One of Wengen's first lodgings, this welcoming inn—downhill and away from the center—has been run by the same family for more than a century. Adorable Alpine-style guest rooms with south-facing balconies are well worth the slight additional cost, as the sweeping views of the valley are sublime. The decor is homey, with a cozy mountain chalet look and comfy chairs and sofas for lounging throughout the hotel's large public spaces. While some of the guest rooms are on the small side, their Alpine ambiance, highlighting light woods and tartan details, is absolutely charming. The bar-salon is spacious and inviting, with an open fireplace and overhead beams, and there's a large outdoor area in front of the hotel with wonderful vistas. There's an emphasis on good half-board meals, with a four-course spread served each evening with a vegetarian option available.

Occupying four graceful 18th- and 19th-century villas and a historic hotel near the waterfront, this small complex has been modernized without ruffling its gentility or disturbing its graceful stone arches, marble floors, or discreet gardens. It's the best of both worlds: small-hotel attentiveness plus access to the facilities of the grand Beau-Rivage Palace next door. The hotel, where Lord Byron penned "The Prisoner of Chillon," anchors the compound. A private courtyard with glass pavilion receives guests and dispenses them to quarters furnished in styles ranging from contemporary historical to garden-party floral. A meal taken on the terrace of L'Accademia, the quay-facing Italian bistro, provides a glimpse of the lakefront lifestyle.

Occupying much of a city block between the Hauptbahnhof and the Bundeshaus, this comfortable hotel is perfectly placed at the heart of Bern's commercial district. The guest rooms range from very small to quite roomy and are clean, modern, and functional, outfitted with wood furniture, desks, and starched white duvets. Good-size family rooms include an extra bed or can connect to another room if you need more space. 

Located directly in the town center and renovated from a farmhouse in 1938, the family-run Chesa Grischuna has one of the most charming settings—and, arguably, the friendliest owners—in Switzerland. Every guest room, including those in the nearby chalet annex, embodies mountain coziness with their country prints, fluffy duvets, carved wood, and antiques. Because Klosters has long been a gathering place of international society, this place has plenty of public salons to accommodate guests; whether you bowl in the vaulted cellar, play cards, or dance to the piano music at happy hour, you'll be surrounded by the Klosters cognoscenti. The restaurant is legendary for its chic gemütlichkeit (coziness), with carved-wood trim, romantic lighting, and a delicious mix of salads, soups, and seasonal full-fledged meals—and, fittingly, truly helpful service.

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.

This excellent, convivial boutique hotel is a warm, comfortable, and affordable spot to stay while exploring Brig and the region. The owners are warm and knowledgeable about the area. The hotel's 18 rooms feature antique wood armoires, vintage wallpaper designs, and comfortable beds and linens. 

A vastly improved version of the standard chalet-style lodging, the Gletschergarten has been in the same family for four generations, and the interior radiates welcome, from heirloom furniture to original paintings by the owner's grandfather to tea roses cut from the garden. There's heraldry in the leaded-glass windows, a ceramic stove with a built-in seat warmer, and a wood-paneled lounge taken from an old Grindelwald farmhouse. All rooms have balconies, some with glacier views, others overlooking the emerald-green hills. Ask for a corner room, as the angles are especially pleasing. Don't miss the pleasant spa with a sauna, a steam bath, and a relaxation area.

The oldest hotel in town, the Hotel Interlaken has been hosting overnight guests since 1323, but now it's thoroughly up-to-date, with comfortable guest rooms filled with sleek and eye-catching Alpine-chic furnishings and a highly regarded restaurant. For the budget-minded who want to enjoy the same location and breakfast, there are rooms of a simpler nature on the fifth floor. The hotel first began as a hospital, then as a cloister, and by the early 15th century as a tavern. Today, the in-house Restaurant Taverne highlights Swiss cuisine with a modern twist along with a well-chosen selection of Swiss wines. It's a short walk to the Interlaken Ost train station, making excursions a snap. 

The location couldn’t be more central at this airy art deco hotel on the Marktplatz, where delightful amenities include a 24-hour gym, sauna, panoramic rooftop terrace, and buzzing in-house eatery. Design-focused guest rooms come in muted yellow, green, and purple color schemes, accented by light woods and mod lighting fixtures; some junior suites include balconies overlooking the square. Good-size bathrooms feature double sinks and large rain showers; some of the higher-level suites include bathtubs in addition to showers. The wellness area has a small gym plus a sauna and steam room. Restaurant Bohemia draws both locals and visitors for its eclectic food menu, with choices ranging from ceviche and mussels to lamb and steak.

This renovated, elegant half-timber hotel has an historic air, loads of charm, and an unbeatable location steps away from the Rhine. Interiors are tastefully decorated with delicate furnishings and warm wood floors. There's also a bistro, an excellent coffee shop, and a lovely bar on-site.

About 950 feet above town on a quiet, car-free slope, this magnificent, if a tad faded, hotel will transport you back to the grand spa days of Davos. Once used as a sanatorium, the hotel's public spaces are now decorated in elegant belle epoque style; the guest rooms are a lot more simple, with basic furnishings and no TVs. Described in Mann's The Magic Mountain, the vast hotel has grounds to match, with fun features like a long hillside slide in summer and a 2½-km (1½-mile) sled run in winter. All south-facing guest rooms have balconies overlooking the looming mountain range. Spend summer afternoons visiting the hotel's botanical garden, or relax in the three sauna and steam rooms. The hotel is accessible only by its own funicular, the Schatzalp-Bahn, a four-minute ride from Davos-Platz near the Hotel Europe.

Across from the Staubbach Falls, this excellent lodging with astounding views opens directly onto Lauterbrunnen's main street, which is handily lined with shops and cafés. The friendly owners have turned this local landmark into a characterful hotel, with charming guest rooms that shimmer with teak and pine. To maximize their view of the falls, most people ask for a south-facing room. The fact that this side also faces the main road (which has its share of roaring buses) means you should also consider the three other directions of the compass.

When it first opened in 1834, this Relais & Châteaux hotel received tourists on the "Grand Tour" through Europe; now it plays to those who want des vacances cocooning (pampered downtime) in an exclusive setting with its own lovely outdoor thermal pool. There's a lot of white in the decor, which mixes a tasseled-drapery period look with harmonious modern touches. All rooms include a balcony or terrace, and spacious suites have separate living areas with electric fireplaces and flat-screen TVs. Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired food paired with a strong selection of Valaisan wines is served in the Malvoisie restaurant. In the bar it's a pianist, not a DJ, providing the music. Completing the soothing atmosphere is the hotel's thermal spa and beauty center, with its indoor pool, hot-stone therapy, massages, wraps, and body peels—and its pièce de résistance, the outdoor 36ºC (97ºF) waters, where you can relax without the crowds found at the city's public baths.

Located in the heart of the cobblestone streets of Old Town, this boutique hotel smartly blends its 15th-century history with modern minimalism. The rooms vary in size and are individually decorated, but all are done in a pared-down style with lots of white linen and pale wood. Bathrooms are sleek with rain showers and loaded with products by the Swiss natural brand Soeder. Downstairs is IGNIV restaurant.

Across from the Corvatsch cable car that transports guests up 3½ km (2 miles) to the highest peak in the surrounding area, this boutique design hotel, quite different from most other "traditional" St. Moritz–area accommodations, is an ideal choice for skiing, sledding, and hiking on Silvaplana Lake—along with just hanging out in its cool environs. All of the modern, rustic-chic rooms have huge terraces with views across the valley to the Piz Nair and, in summer, to kiters and windsurfers. The rooftop bar, with contemporary wood, suede, and cowhide-covered furnishings and a panoramic terrace with mountain views, is the “it” bar in the area. The open fireplace and furnishings are trendy but comforting. Stars Restaurant serves up international cuisine for dinner, or get your pizza fix at Pizzeria Stalla Veglia during the winter. The designer spa has a small pool and huge whirlpool, sauna, and steam and aroma baths.

To extend your stay at Thun Castle (literally), opt for a hotel room in the castle’s former prison wing, where guest rooms—most with views of the lake and the mountains beyond—are surprisingly modern, except for the lovely Tower Room that features frescoes from 1567. Comfortable, bright rooms have wood floors, desks, and minibars; large bathrooms all include showers, while the Panorama Room also has a freestanding soaking tub off of the bedroom. The spa, which must be booked in advance, includes a sauna, steam bath, and whirlpool. The highly rated restaurant serves up Alpine cuisine paired with regional wines, or try a coffee and cake or aperitif in the charming castle courtyard.

Valser-quartz cubes sprinkle the landscape at the base station in Laax Murschetg and form the ski-in, ski-out village of the rocksresort. Sit inside the minimalistic two- and three- bedroom apartments built with local stone and wood, and watch the skiers and snowboarders finish their runs from your window. Families have plenty of space to spread out. Shop or eat downstairs or next door; bars, pubs, equipment rental, and of course the cable car, are a few steps away.

This gorgeously equipped B&B—perhaps the nicest in all of Ticino—has five chic rooms with burnished hardwood floors and tasteful contemporary furnishings and a great restaurant (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Many people make their way to Ponte Brolla just for the restaurant, which serves inventive, carefully prepared Italian cuisine in the stylish café, formal dining room, or, weather permitting, soak up the sunshine on the large outdoor terrace. 

The luxe Tschuggen Grand Hotel's hip little sister has ultracontemporary rooms of wood, stone, and glass, complete with cool touches like record players and complimentary minibars. The central location in town makes for an easy walk to local restaurants, as well as offering prime views of the lakefront. Restaurant Twist serves modern Swiss fare paired with local wines. In the winter, it's possible to walk to the ski lift and then ski directly back into the hotel. Afterward, relax in the woodsy spa, which has a small pool, saunas, a steam bath, a gym, and a yoga room. Though the hotel itself closes seasonally, the nine one-and two-bedroom apartments are open all year long.

This youthful hotel in the heart of trendy Züri-West is awash with color and original design elements, and although the address screams hip-appeal, the rooms are fresh and quiet, with smooth, flowing lines and a subtle palette. Behind the refreshment–breakfast area there is even a small park with a playground. Even with a clear design goal, Swiss practicality is not forgotten; the desks provide plenty of space to work, and you are provided with a stylish bag to borrow for city shopping trips. You can even hire one of two Minis to take a spin around the city, and there's a sauna with a view for kicking back at the end of the day. 

Quaint and charming, this vine-laced art nouveau villa in a leafy residential area, steps from the lake and a few blocks from the Old Town, charms with pastel tones, candy pinstripes, sculpted ceilings, and shuttered windows. There's also everything you need for a comfortable overnight—soft box-spring beds and blackout blinds—as well as a kitchen for guest use, a roof terrace for yoga, and a lovely rose garden. The property opened as a women’s boarding house in the 18th century and holds true to an impressive social ethos: the parent company provides training and part-time, assisted employment to women struggling to enter the workplace; breakfast is largely organic; and the hotel operates on reduce, reuse, and recycle principles. Bathrooms, for example, are 20 years old but are polished and in great condition. The spa on the fourth floor, offering a steam room, sauna, massages, and yoga, is for women only; access costs CHF38.  

Behind this historical facade you'll find a courtyard hotel of modern proportions. Filled with light from the atrium, the streamlined rooms have ample work spaces and safes large enough to hold a laptop. A bamboo garden and palm trees add freshness to the busy reception area. The Thai kitchen overseen by imported chefs attracts locals for the most authentic Asian food around. Although the hotel is close to the train station, the walk uphill is a bit of a challenge with luggage.

About 20 yards from the Weisshorn cable car and the Tschuggen chairlift, the Arosa Vetter Hotel makes a perfect overnight stop for skiers and hikers, and rewards guests with superior lake views from some rooms. Architect-turned-hotelier Martin Häfeli designed wood-clad, rough-oak rooms to make guests feel at home and yet still convey a modern atmosphere. The charming restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors, and serves Swiss cuisine with lots of ingredients from the area.

If you appreciate modern design and love being right in the thick of things, head straight for this Japanese-influenced Design Hotel on Steinenvorstadt, one of Basel’s liveliest streets; though windows are triple glazed, and the hotel provides earplugs, you’ll likely hear some noise from the lively bars surrounding the hotel—which can either be irritating, or perfect if you want to join in the fun yourself. Light-color rooms feature natural materials and Japanese sliding shoji screens separating the bedroom from the bathroom; a Zurich design collective created the colorful blankets and carpets. Many rooms have French balconies or larger terraces, but don’t expect much of a view. The hotel’s rooftop bar serves a local breakfast to start the day and cocktails to bring it to a close. Art displayed in the hotel’s rooms and hallways rotates about every other month.

This striking red building exudes a mysterious pull: inside, the walls are brightened by lively abstract paintings created by the owner, and the guest rooms are little works of art unto themselves. Creative, freewheeling, relaxing, these rooms are fully functional, with little minimalist touches here and there—an ensemble of stones in an alcove, for example. Even better, they're among the least expensive rooms in town. The restaurant, open only in the winter, serves up Swiss and Asian specialties.