The Swiss city of Basel is a hotbed of culture and caters to visitors with a wide choice of accommodation options, including several luxury and boutique hotels.
(Photo: Grand Hotel LES TROIS ROIS)
Located in northwest Switzerland, close to the country’s borders with France and Germany, Basel draws large numbers of visitors with its medieval old town, world-class museums and scenic riverside setting. There’s a diverse choice of places to stay, most of which can be found in and around the city centre, with numerous high-end hotels among the pack. We’ve compared three of the city’s luxury and boutique hotels below.
Les Trois Rois
For a real flavour of Old World European grandeur, it’s hard to beat this historic 17th-century hotel set on the banks of the Rhine. Amid all the trappings you’d expect of a modern luxury hotel, the past remains ever present, from the antique furniture featuring art deco touches to the glamourous aesthetic of the chandelier-lit, wood-panelled bar. Refined guest rooms feature plush fabrics and classic art, while upgraded suites are resplendent with gold-plating, rooftop hot tubs and fireplaces. Food and beverage offerings are far from an afterthought either, with a 3 Michelin-star restaurant, a bistro and a bar and cigar lounge making it a destination dining kind of place that draws a steady stream of epicureans. There’s also a well-equipped fitness room. Marktplatz Basel, with its daily market and distinctive red town hall, is just seconds away on foot. From $562 per night.
ART HOUSE Basel
(Photo: ART HOUSE Basel)
A more intimate vibe can be found at this fashionable 33-room boutique property on the south side of the river. A member of Design Hotels, the stylish rooms are living proof that style need not come at the expense of substance, with plenty of modern amenities complimenting the cool and chic décor. French balconies offer city views from the higher floors. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a hip restaurant, a bar with a terrace and a separate rooftop bar. A choice of buffet or a la carte breakfasts are served each morning in the dining area. For culture vultures, the hotel is also well-placed for visiting some of Basel’s finest museums. From $199 per night.
Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel
(Photo: Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel)
Little surprise that internationally acclaimed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron were behind this fashionable boutique hotel – it has their design stamp all over it. A quintessential place to be – and to be seen – the 44-room hotel, centrally located in the lively Kleinbasel district, has contemporary art running through its DNA, regularly hosting collaborations with local artists and creating the look and feel of a gallery in itself. And the hosting doesn’t end there- the hotel also stages frequent concerts, parties, product launches and lectures, while destination diners flock to The Brasserie to savour its city-wide reputation for culinary delights. For hotel guests and visitors, the tree-covered inner courtyard makes for the perfect spot to kick back and relax pre or post-dinner. From $178 per night.