Hotel tips: Our favorite 217 hotels in Switzerland

Hotels in Switzerland © Boutique Hotel Schloss Hünigen

Alpine-mountain panoramas and Mediterranean lakes, medieval towns and modern metropolises: Switzerland, and all its four national languages, is international and diverse, modern and traditional at the same time. A city break with a shopping-focus is best spent in Zurich or Bern, while cultural and medieval sightseeing can be found in Basel and Lucerne. Active vacationers can take advantage of the many alpine winter sports areas, climbing parks, and hiking trails, recreation-seekers and families holiday on the Mediterranean Lake Maggiore or in the green landscapes of East Switzerland. The hotels in Switzerland’s large cities like Geneva and Lausanne are modern, noble, and luxurious. On the lakes, find well-rounded and wellness-oriented establishments. Tradition and originality can be found in the farmhouses and country house hotels of the mountains and valleys, in the midst of the beautiful Swiss landscapes.

Where to stay at a hotel in Switzerland? Important locations at a glance

Ticino & Southern Switzerland: Family getaways and fun in the sun

Ticino, together with Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, is the ideal holiday destination for families, boasting a mild, Mediterranean climate and the best chance for swimming and water sports. Citrus fruits and palm trees even grow on Lake Lugano, while Lake Maggiore is home to the glamorous film festival town of Locarno. Locarno is a picture-perfect location; tucked sweetly between the lake and the mountains, it has everything from classically Swiss restaurants to bustling beaches with an old-world fun-in-the-sun vibe. Wellness-vacationers should head to Grisons with its scattered spa and thermal resorts, while jet setters and celebrities take up residence in the luxurious hotels of St. Moritz. A plethora first-class winter sport centers can be found between wide mountain and valley landscapes of southern Switzerland, tucked in between small villages and farms with medieval castles and chapels.

Zurich & Lake Zurich: Sightseeing and relaxing holidays

Zurich is regularly listed as the city with the highest quality of life in the world: with opportunity for shopping in exclusive boutiques on the famous Bahnhofsstraße, drinking coffee in the well-kept medieval squares around the Augustinergasse, sightseeing at the largest clock in Europe at the St. Peter Church, or chilling at a beach bar on Lake Zurich. Settle into the center of business and finance around the luxurious Parade Square, among modern design hotels and the bases of many famous Swiss banks. Lovers of culture will find Zurich’s Museum of Art to have an exceptional collection, featuring everything from pieces from the 1200’s to Edvard Munch to contemporary work. The region around Lake Zurich is primed for recreation and filled with traditional villages and gently rolling countryside; as part of the Way of St. James, it is also ideal for walking and hiking. The hotels on Lake Zurich are romantic and deluxe, some dating back to the 17th century and equipped with sauna and spa centers, private beaches, or even a private tennis court.

Lake Geneva & Romandy: Swiss wine country and cultural city breaks

Vineyards and Mediterranean flair within an alpine landscape characterize the western regions of Switzerland, in addition to opportunity for a dynamic city holiday. Romandy is Switzerland’s French-speaking region, composed of a series of wonderful natural landmarks, the UNESCO-protected vineyards of Lavaux, and some seriously good eating. The International Exhibition Center and “City of Parks” are what comes to mind when one thinks of Geneva, in addition to the many galleries, business hotels, green spaces, and the massive High Steel Fountain. A highlight on Lake Geneva is the magnificent, moated castle Chillon. Right on the lake is Lausanne, a sporty city holding a seat on the Olympic Committee, as well as a young and hip metropolis with bustling student neighborhoods and art galleries. In the Fribourg region, cyclists will be in heaven on the winding streets. The city of Fribourg itself boasts a beautiful, medieval old town from the Gothic period and is widely known and loved for its cultural variety and series of bridges which connect the French-speaking region to the German-speaking region of Switzerland.

Bern & Bernese Highlands: Active vacations and shopping

The Bernese Highlands has over 800 lakes, with the most ideal for water-sport enthusiasts being Lake Thun. Active vacationers will find thrill in the high peaks of the Alps. Located on the Jungfrau is the highest train station in Europe, tucked in next to suspension bridges, climbing parks, and endless ski and snowboard areas operating on a World Cup level. Hotels on the Jungfrau set you with all you need to get the most out of the stunning surroundings. Bern is the de facto capital of Switzerland, and is a must-visit for its combination of natural attractions, medieval sightseeing, and art. Make sure to pay a visit to the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town, which loops around the Aare, the longest river in Switzerland. Romantic arcades line Spitalgasse, where a lively nightlife and culture of theater-going can be witnessed. Shopping is nonstop in these arcades, which happen to be Europe’s longest covered shopping passages. A hotel in Bern promises beautiful mountain views, total luxury within well-equipped rooms and spa centers, and warm hospitality.