
Best Luxury Hotels in Switzerland
This mountainous country may be diminutive but ranks as one of the most innovative nations on earth. In addition to its stunning Alpine towns and villages, cities like Zurich, Geneva and Vienna boast incredible architecture and a consistently high standard of living. The home of Heidi and birthplace of the Red Cross is also famed for its lavish chocolatiers and expert horologists. Whether you enjoy bijou boutique hotels, majestic properties frequented by celebrities, or glitzy spa resorts, we have the lowdown on the finest Swiss accommodation.
Canton of Geneva, Geneva, Paquis
Hotel d’Angleterre Geneva
(5 stars)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.
Canton of Basel-Stadt, Basel, Clara
Basel Marriott Hotel
(4 stars)Connected to Basel Congress Centre, the Basel Marriott Hotel is within walking distance to the historic Old Town and offers luxurious and modern accommodation to travellers from all over the world, no matter what the purpose. The hotel is also close to the River Rhine, Basel Airport and is easily accessible by several modes of transport. The hotel boasts 218 contemporary guestrooms and 21 spacious suites and features the luminous Presidential Suite which includes access to the exclusive 24-hour M Club. The on-site HERITAGE Basel restaurant serves more than just food, it is a concept where experimental sharing dishes are at the forefront. Guests are invited to unwind in the rejuvenating and modern spa offering treatments and exceptional facilities for the mind, body and soul. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre with TechnoGym machinery. The hotel offers nine meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities and expansive windows.
Canton of Zurich, Zürich
Widder Hotel
(5 stars)Multiple townhouses dating back to the 1400s have been renovated to house the 49 bedrooms of this old town hotel, whose name means ‘ram’. It’s a unique mix — original medieval features, heavy beams and wood panelling somehow blend seamlessly with the glitzy modern furnishings. Bibliophiles will enjoy whiling away an hour or two browsing the library’s hardbacks in an easy chair and those with carnivorous tendencies will love the two restaurants: Widder and AuGust. After a satisfying dinner, guests can relax with one of a range of 1000 spirits from the bar, accompanied by the sounds of nightly live music.
Canton of Geneva, Geneva, Grottes - Saint-Gervais
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva
(5 stars)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.
Grisons, Laax
Peaks Place Laax
(4 stars)Ideal for those serious about their skiing and sport, this apartment hotel is located in the heart of Laax, offering a bike garage, a washing area and toolbox for bikers; lockers, a drying room and a mountain shuttle bus for skiers. The 850 sqm spa and wellness retreat, La Senda, is perfect for easing tired muscles after a day of activity. Then relax over a healthy, hearty meal made following grandmothers’ recipes at restaurant s’nani, followed by a nightcap in front of the fire. Apartments sleep between three and eight guests, with minimal design and self-catering facilities.
Canton of Basel-Stadt, Basel, Old Town Kleinbasel
Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel
(4 stars)Designed by celebrated architects Herzog & de Meuron, the beautiful Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel can be found in a central location in the buzzing Kleinbasel district. The hotel is a short distance from the picturesque riverside and the Basel Trade Fair. The hotel offers a collection of 45 expertly crafted guestrooms and suites and features the spacious Terrace Suite with a private roof terrace. Guests are invited to dine on site at The Brasserie and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in a stylish setting or take advantage of the tree-lined inner courtyard. The IMI Bar at Volkshaus Basel offers a relaxing atmosphere to savour a beverage or learn to make your won with a cocktail workshop. The hotel hosts an array of exciting musical and cultural events.
Vaud, Lausanne
Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne
(5 stars)First opened in 1909, the Hotel Royal Savoy is a beautiful Art Nouveau property, close to Lac Léman. Its turrets and landscaped gardens create a fairytale feel, with a serene hillside setting, that’s still within easy pedestrian reach of the centre. The 196-bedroom hotel was renovated in 2015 and includes a rooftop bar, cigar lounge, brasserie and further bar, as well as seasonal pop-up venues. The spa has both indoor and outdoor pools, cutting-edge treatments and a hammam. Rooms come with Nespresso machines, Bulgari toiletries, marble bathrooms and plenty have balconies.
Canton of Valais, Zermatt
Riffelalp Resort 2222m
(5 stars)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.
Canton of Ticino, Ascona
Castello del Sole Beach Resort & SPA
(5 stars)This low-rise 16th-century hotel is akin to a luxury manor home, with 78 accommodations. Guests can explore courtyards filled with roses, a bird sanctuary, vineyard and its exclusive stretch of beach, as well as playing tennis and swimming — all within the hotel’s perimeter. Castello del Sole is a Relais and Chateaux property, specialising in warm, personalised service and cuisine par excellence (which can be taken by candlelight on the terrace). Don’t miss the theatrical opera-themed bar and the Castello Spa, which incorporates ingredients grown on-site into the pampering treatments. Kids are very well catered for during the summer break, with a range of activities.
Sierre, Crans-Montana
LeCrans Hôtel & Spa
(5 stars)If you’re jetting off for an exclusive winter sports break, consider LeCrans Hôtel & Spa. Guests can ski in and ski directly out of the chalet, which is located in the Valais region. LeSpa Cinq Mondes affords incredible views, not least from the heated outdoor pool. At mealtimes, there’s Michelin-starred cuisine served in the Le Mont Blanc restaurant, created by Executive Chef Pierre Crepaud, and a Cigar Lounge for after-dinner drinks. Eight suites and seven rooms – each themed around mountains of the world – make it ideal for large groups travelling together and seeking privacy.
Canton of Bern, Bern, Rotes Quartier
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
(5 stars)This hotel has the only central spa and rooftop bar in the city where yoga is hosted in the warmer months. While it dates back to 1857, the Hotel Schweizerhof had a major makeover in 2011, bringing the Grand Dame right into the 21st century. Now it boasts boutique sophistication, featuring Murano glass installations, mood lighting, imaginative artwork and Art Noveau style furnishings. The Alps, old town and parliament are all within view of various areas within the building; many of its 99 bedrooms look out onto Bahnhofplatz or the medieval quarter. The decor is suave and designer – Japanese bathtubs with TVs can be found in some, with Bvlgari bath products in all. It has a number of dining options, including the celebrity haunt, Jack’s Brasserie, one of the best spots in town for food.
Engadine Valley, St. Moritz
Suvretta House
(5 stars)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.
