Often overlooked as a short break choice, the Swiss city has much to offer. It sits on the River Rhine, with a wealth of art galleries, museums, opera houses, and theatres, as well as historic sites. Basel is cosmopolitan yet traditional, with an exciting emergent art scene, alongside its more classic offers. It plays host to an autumn fair, Christmas market and spring carnival, with wild river swimming a popular summer pastime. Families will enjoy the indoor water park, zoo and treasure hunts, with beer tastings, staged tours and boutiques galore delighting the adults. Here are our favourite hotel haunts for a stay in Basel.
Old Town Grossbasel, Basel, Canton of Basel-Stadt
Hotel Les Trois Rois
(5 stars) Dine on three Michelin starred fine cuisine at this hotel’s destination restaurant, where Chef Peter Knogl presents deeply stylish, surprising works of edible art – Cheval Blanc is said to be among the 100 best eateries in the world. Swiss and French specialities are also served in the Brasserie, with drinks in the gentlemans’ club-style bar, or the Salon Du Cigare. 101 rooms include a rooftop suite, Napoleon riverside suite and more standard city rooms (although even in these, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping in a grand stately home). The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is actually one of the oldest hotels in Europe – Empress Michiko of Japan, James Joyce and Pablo Picasso all stayed here – a piece of living history.