Best Grand Hotels Hotels in Switzerland

The grand turreted building housing the Palace Hotel is like something from a Disney movie – or a Bond film (Roger Moore himself once booked in here). Indeed, this has a reputation as one of the finest places to stay in the whole of Switzerland. Its elevated position looks out across the town and serves as an ever-present lofty landmark. The hotel is perfect for active types; an Olympic sized outdoor pool, another indoor pool, a pilates studio and a tennis court. Guests have a choice of four eateries, including La Fromagerie, housed in a former Swiss gold vault. The authentically retro GreenGo Club is the hotel’s late-night venue and has hosted many big names since its mid-century heyday.

Beau-Rivage Genève is one of the city’s landmark hotels. Not only does it boast an exceptional location facing Geneva’s jet d’eau it also offers guests a unique experience that has been perfected over 150 years. The timeless retreat comprises 52 rooms and 43 suites all of which are elegantly designed and the sophisticated social spaces throughout the iconic perfectly showcase the characteristics of the period building.

Dining here is a culinary delight; with gourmet dishes from starred table, Le Chat-Botté, refined cuisine served in the intimate ambiance and Albertine’s, and delicious brunches overlooking the lake. With a family focus, children’s menus have been designed to ensure that the little ones enjoy great food too.

The hotel’s legendary wine cellar (including rare and prestigious vintages) welcomes guests to enjoy an experience of tasting and pairing like no other – even the greatest connoisseurs will be left in awe. And for guests who wish to explore further afield a range of seasonal activities in Geneva can be booked via the hotel concierge.

Overlooking the Rhône river and within walking distance of the city’s main attractions such as the Lake, Jet D’eau and St. Peter’s Cathedral, Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is a five-star hotel with contemporary Swiss hospitality offering supreme views of the Old Town and the snow-capped mountains. The 178 rooms and suites are designed with a contemporary and refined style, inspired by nature, mountains, and water. The hotel’s outstanding restaurants and vibrant bar have made a significant contribution to Geneva’s dining scene, while visitors can rejuvenate and unwind with Swiss expertise at the hotel’s wellness facilities. Combining luxury, style and unbeatable service, it is the perfect city retreat.

With over 165 years of hospitality, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, is synonymous with excellence – where detail, discretion, a connected concierge and impeccable service is what makes guests feel at home. The iconic luxury ski hotel boasts a stunning location in the heart of St. Moritz. Comprising 164 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, featuring sophisticated décor, spacious layouts, and private balconies that provide panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The hotel presents multiple dining venues, including a gourmet restaurant led by Michelin-starred Chef Mauro Colagreco, with dishes each prepared over elements of fire, alongside casual dining options, where guests can indulge in exquisite cuisine inspired by local and international flavours, complemented by an extensive wine selection. Guests can enjoy the state-of-the-art 2000m2 Kulm Spa St. featuring a spa, sauna, steam room, heated indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, salt water grotto and more – the perfect oasis for relaxation after a day on the slopes.For non-slope activity, there is a gym, 9-hole golf course and tennis courts too. With ski-in/ski-out facilities and a dedicated ski concierge to assist with equipment rentals and lessons The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz is a perfect destination for those seeking an exceptional luxury ski experience, where timeless elegance meets outstanding service.

Overlooking the glorious Lake Geneva, with the iconic Mont Blanc in the background, is the luxurious, recently renovated The Ritz Carlton Hotel de la Paix. There are 74 lavish guestrooms, including 19 suites, with contemporary furnishings and unbeatable views over Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc Square and Jet d’Eau. Suite options feature a spacious 2-Bedroom Lakefront Suite, and the sophisticated Grace Kelly Suite complete with a kitchenette. There are four unique dining venues to choose from including Dans Le Noir? where you will be treated to a gourmet meal in total darkness. Guests can relax and unwind in the unparalleled La Vallée SPA Suites and choose from the array of treatments on offer. There is a 24-hour fitness centre exclusively for guests as well as a selection of experiences around Geneva. The hotel is also pet friendly.

Located on Rue de Médran and nestled in the Alps at a height of 5023 feet, W Verbier provides doorstep access to the slopes. It’s open all year round, for winter skiing and summer hiking, but there’s plenty to tempt you to stay inside. W hotels operate internationally as part of the wider Marriott group – this one offers 123 guest rooms and four residences, each with their own fireplace and private balcony, decorated in with an alluring urban-meets-Alpine vibe. Work out in a cutting edge techno-gym or relax in Away Spa, with steam rooms, a plunge pool and hammam. Meals can be taken in one of 6 eateries – there’s everything from Swiss fine cuisine, and healthy snacks to sushi and tapas. By night the atmosphere turns to après-ski action. Dance the night away to the DJ’s beats in W Off Piste, or watch the sunset as you sip on imaginative cocktails on the hotel’s panoramic terrace bar – Living Room.

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola Lugano is synonymous with serenity. There are 72 luxurious guestrooms to choose from including 30 spacious suites and guest suites and 3 two-bedroom suites. Each of the accommodation options offer sensational views over the Lake of Lugano or the verdant park from balconies, terraces, or porches. Fit for any occasion, the hotel offers an array of sophisticated event spaces and divine banquet rooms. There are plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind in tranquil indoor and outdoor settings with the Lido Club boasting a splendid private terrace on the lake where guests can sunbathe and enjoy indulgent dishes and beverages from the hotel restaurants. Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola also features a host of sports, leisure, and wellness facilities including a clay tennis court and hydro pool. Guests are invited to embark on a gastronomic adventure in one of the exquisite fine dining establishments on offer – Restaurant La Rucula, Le Relais, and Arté al Lago.

A city break in Zurich is made all the more enticing, with a stay at this turreted, Belle Époque, landmark hotel. Overlooking the lake and surrounded by woodland, it’s a ten-minute shuttle ride into the heart of the action. The decor is ornate and classy – an 11-metre Andy Warhol artwork adorns the lobby,  along with grand columns and glittering chandeliers. Facilities in the complex include a tennis court, golf course, ballroom, enormous spa and even an ice rink during the winter months. Past patrons have included the likes of Roger Moore, Sofia Loren, Nelson Mandela and Elizabeth Taylor. So you’ll be in good company when you book a room here.

This building has a long history having been first founded in 1838. French interior designer Tristan Auer is leading on the makeover which will see the hotel paired down from 104 bedrooms to 80, creating more of a boutique feel. These will be joined by three drinking and dining venues: the Italian ORSINI (directed by Consultant Chef Antonio Guida who brings his experience from the two-Michelin-starred Seta restaurant at the brand’s Milan property); the all-day French-style Savoy Brasserie and Bar; and a rooftop bar, 1838, whose name nods to the building’s heritage. A grand ballroom and guild hall are also in the process of being restored to their former grandeur.

Poised on the edge of Lac Léman and deftly combining British elegance with genuine Swiss hospitality and an inimitable sense of sophistication, 150-year-old Hotel d’Angleterre is a Genevan landmark and one of Switzerland’s most storied hospitality icons and welcomes guests of all ages. Centrally located, the historic property boasts direct views of the city’s famous Jet d’Eau and magnificent Mont Blanc beyond and is within easy walking distance of everything that Geneva has to offer.

Presided over by charismatic general manager Jean-Vital Domezon for more than a decade, who leads a dedicated and long-serving team, the hotel offers guests a range of sumptuous, individually styled rooms and suites, all bedecked in exquisite art and elegant furnishings and complemented by luxe, marble-lined bathrooms.

Guests soak in panoramic lake vistas while dining on refined international cuisine at Windows Restaurant; sip single malts and hand-crafted cocktails while revelling in the nightly live music in Leopard Bar (which happens to be one of the city’s most popular night-time venues) and quietly relax with a Cohiba in the hotel’s plush, smoke-free cigar lounge.

Whilst the d’Angleterre is the only hotel in Geneva that serves traditional British afternoon tea, it also offers an array of luxe bespoke experiences, tailored to guests to elevate their stay, including chauffeured tours of local vineyards and private visits to some of the finest chocolatiers in the city.

The name provides a fairly clear clue, but this is in fact the highest luxury hotel in the whole of Europe. So much so, the resort can’t actually be accessed by car. Instead, guests take the train to the property, passing breathtaking views en route. Once installed, visitors can enjoy direct ski in-ski out access to the slopes. Ski rental is available at the property, plus there are swimming pools, a tennis court, billiards, bowling and activities for kids. The decor is very much a modern take on chalet living, although the building dates as far back as the 19th-century.

Suvretta House is an elegant luxury ski hotel and resort in the magnificent Alpine landscape of the Upper Engadine of St Moritz. This renowned hotel features 181 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, many featuring private balconies to enjoy the stunning surroundings and the resort’s warm, inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect retreat for discerning travellers.

Dining venues include a gourmet restaurant serving exquisite international cuisine, a traditional Swiss eatery, and a stylish bar offering a curated selection of fine wines and cocktails.

Guests can relax at the spacious Sports & Pleasure Club which offers a 25m swimming pool with integrated water jets, an outdoor whirlpool heated to 36°C, a solarium and sauna with Finnarium, Sanarium, Vaporium or Caldarium, a spa and treatments and a fitness centre too. There is a variety of outdoor sports facilities including an ice rink and curling and tennis courts for the summer months. Suvretta House is a family-friendly resort and offers an excellent kids club for its younger clientele.