Straddling the Rhine River, Basel is ideally situated. The cultural capital of Helvetia is where the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France meet. If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll be glad to know that this city is known for having many museums. There’s the Kunstmuseum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, just to name a few. So if that’s the reason you’re traveling here, make sure you stay at the best Hotels in Basel Switzerland.
Many people often use Basel as a starting point for their epic train journeys, even though the city has plenty to discover. Within the city walls, there are hundreds of years of European history. From Basel Minster, Basel Mill, to Basel Town Hall. While for the culinary enthusiast, there are more than 20 Michelin star restaurants scattered throughout the city. No matter which of the best hotels in Basel you stay at, you’re guaranteed to have a great time here.
Where to Stay in Basel
When it comes to activity, there are lots of things to do in Basel. However, first, you need to know where to stay. Choose the hotels in Basel Switzerland that suit your needs, whether it’s a family vacation or a solo trip. It’s also a good idea to consider things that interest you, such as restaurants, art, nightlife, and more.
To put it short, Basel has five main districts, Altstadt Grossbasel, Gundeldigen, Altstadt Kleinbasel, Bachletten, and Basel Vorstadt. For those who come to town for the first time, Grossbasel is highly recommended. Located in the historical heart of the city, you’ll find lots of beautiful architecture and ancient culture here. Their transportation is no less great, there’s even a train that can take you across national borders. This would be great for your next trip to Switzerland.
For nightlife enthusiasts, Kleinbasel is your place. Being on the other side of the old town, the atmosphere here feels more modern. There’s a wide range of bars with amazing cocktails, local beers, and music. Several annual local festivals are also held here, as well as major concerts.
If you’re traveling with your family, Bachletten will be ideal because this area offers a calmer atmosphere. It has easy access to public transportation. And of course, you’ll want to visit the famous Basel Zoo while you’re here. So have you decided where to stay? If you haven’t, our curated list of best hotels in Basel Switzerland below might help.
Sorrel Hotel Merian
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Right on the Rhine River, the Sorell Hotel Merian has an excellent location. Imagine yourself lounging around in their enchanting rooms, enjoying a cup of hot coffee accompanied by gorgeous views of the heart of Basel and one of Europe’s largest rivers. Well, if this isn’t the perfect vacation, we don’t know anymore!
Sorell Hotel will also be ideal for those of you who don’t like fuss. That’s because the rate of stay includes a mobility ticket, which means that upon arrival you’ll get a free ticket to take the train or airport transportation to the hotel. Talk about convenience!
Just like most hotels in Basel Switzerland, Sorell also has great restaurants. In fact, most locals consider it one of the best fish restaurants around. Make sure you stop by here after a day in the city. Enjoy their best menus on the terrace with incredible views of the local cathedral. It will make a great ending after exploring one of the happiest cities in the whole world.
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Hyperion Hotel Basel
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Special accommodation requires a special place and that’s the Hyperion Hotel Basel. Occupying the tallest habitable building in the city, this hotel stands in an ideal location for both shopping and history. It’s right next to the Basel Messe trade fair center and a short walk will take you to the old town. Even batter, the hotel also offers free public transport tickets for guests.
When it comes to amenities, Hyperion Hotel Basel has elegant rooms that feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and private bathrooms. Like most of the best hotels in Basel, they provide free internet access, either via a wired or WiFi connection. No more worrying about managing data usage while on vacation!
If you still don’t have any idea where to go, we recommend visiting Gaumenfreund Restaurant. The hotel’s restaurant has an executive lounge on the 30th floor, offering gorgeous views of the entire city. You’ll be able to see all the coolest spots in Basel from here. Oh, and of course, they serve delicious Swiss and international food. You definitely don’t want to miss this while staying at Hyperion!
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Novotel Basel City
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When in Basel, the Kuntsmuseum is a must. It’s home to the largest and most significant collection of public art in Switzerland. It has even been registered as a national heritage site. Hence, you’ll be delighted to know that the museum is only a 10-minute walk from the four-star hotel, Novotel Basel City!
All guests here will have access to free WiFi, a restaurant, and public parking spaces (extra charge). Meanwhile, Novotel Basel’s rooms come with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom. You may want to leave your anti-theft backpack for a moment, as the hotel also provides safe deposit boxes for valuables. Apart from that, there’s still a tea/coffee maker for those who can’t start the day without a cup of warmth.
Breakfast is available at Gourmetbar, the hotel’s restaurant which also serves continental, vegetarian, vegan, American, and gluten-free menus. If you’ve just arrived after a long trip, stopping by the local bar in the lobby is a great idea. Take a few shots of those wines or cocktails for a quick refreshment after long hours in the airplane cabin. Get a few hours of good sleep and you’ll be ready to explore the city.
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Hotel Spalentor
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Basel’s walls bear witness to hundreds of years of European history and you can learn all of them while staying at the Hotel Spalentor. This four-star property is just a five-minute walk from the Old Town of Basel. For a quicker alternative, the hotel also provides guests with free bicycles. Isn’t that great?
Regarding amenities, this hotel, which is located directly across from the Botanic Gardens, offers free WiFi, a fitness area, and a quiet garden. The rooms here are spacious, and come with air conditioning, coffee machines, large flat-screen TVs, and DVD players with a free selection of movies, just in case your Netflix subscription runs out! For a quick refreshment after a long journey, feel free to mix your own poison in the minibar area.
Exploring the city by public transportation would be a good idea since this hotel isn’t far from several train stations. Meanwhile, the Spalentor bus stop is also only 30 meters away. If you’re not sure where to go, don’t hesitate to come to the front desk. Local staff will be happy to recommend some of Basel’s most famous attractions. Keep Google Translate away, since they can all speak German, English, and French!
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Hotel Wettstein
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Promising a welcoming atmosphere, Hotel Wettstein sits in the heart of a charming residential district. Located in Kleinbasel, the charm of the Rhine River and the Old Town of Basel are just steps away. A few minutes of walk will take you to several conference centers and art museums. Whether it’s business or pleasure, this property will always be the right choice.
Like most hotels in Basel Switzerland, Wettstein is packed with many great amenities. All rooms come with cable TV, a comfortable bed, and a minibar with soft drinks and beer. For those who need to stay productive even on vacation, you’ll be glad to know that this hotel has a large work desk in every room and a dedicated internet station.
Start your day with breakfast in the winter garden. If it’s a sunny day, you can even enjoy your meal in the garden. Once your stomach is full, you’ll be ready to venture around the city. Taking public transportation would be great, but for a more memorable experience, we recommend renting a free bicycle from the hotel and explore each corner of Basel like a local!
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Motel One Basel
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This design hotel is in the most cosmopolitan area of Basel. With a fairly affordable overnight rate compared to other hotels in the area, this is the perfect solution for those traveling on a budget. Their slogan perfectly captures all these advantages, ‘like the price, love the design’!
Your plane landed in the early hours? There’s no need to worry because Motel One has a front desk operating 24 hours. Whether it’s five in the morning or in the middle of the night, they’re ready to warmly welcome guests. Each room comes with air conditioning, a wardrobe, a desk, and a flat-screen TV. Free WiFi is also available, should come in handy, in case you haven’t activated roaming or renewed your subscription.
Buffet breakfast is available at the on-site restaurant each morning. If you want something more authentic, they also serve continental dishes. To relax for a while before starting to walk out of the hotel, we suggest coming to the bar near the lobby. Try some of their signature drinks, while researching some of the best attractions around.
Like other hotels in Basel Switzerland, Motel One is within walking distance of several must-see sights. Basel Cathedral and Pfalz Basel are only 200 meters away, while Badischer Bahnof and St. Jakob-Park is only 1.7 miles from here. But if you’re not too sure, taking a city tour of Basel with a private guide might be a good idea.
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Hotel Rochat
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Ever wondered what it would be like to live in Switzerland three centuries ago? Well, maybe you can get a little idea about that by staying at the Rochat Hotel. This three-star property is housed in one of the buildings in Old Town Basel, an area with a long history filled with an impressive heritage of ancient architecture. Besides that, the location is also very quiet, perfect for those who seek serenity.
Hotel Rochat has 50 rooms with 95 beds, all come with standard amenities such as comfortable beds, desks, and TVs. They also have a comfortable garden for guests to sit back and relax, spend time while enjoying the cool northern European air. For business travelers, this property has two conferences and one banquet room to accommodate up to 200 people. Having an exhibition or training here won’t be a problem.
Like all hotels in Basel Switzerland, Hotel Rochat also offers a strategic location. Less than a mile away, you’ll find Pfalz Basel, Basel Cathedral, the Tinguely Fountain, and Architectural Museum. For those of you who want to know how Jewish traditions and culture have influenced the life of the surrounding community since the Middle Ages, we recommend visiting the Jewish Museum of Switzerland.
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Budget Hotel Alexander
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Who says a vacation on a budget can’t be fun? The key is to choose a place to stay that really suits your needs. Forget about less essential amenities, like access to a fitness center or spa. If you’re in Basel, look no further than Budget Hotel Alexander.
Although far from luxurious, this hotel offers a strategic location. In the heart of Basel, you can easily reach the Messe Basel or the Congress Center. Meanwhile, to get to downtown, it only takes about seven minutes by tram. The closest stations from here are SBB Train Station (seven minutes) and Badischer Bahnhof Train Station (three minutes). To get to Basel-Mulhouse Airport, you only need to drive about 15 minutes.
All essential necessities are provided in the rooms of the Budget Hotel Alexander. You’ll get a private bathroom, desk, TV, and free WiFi access. They even provide a coffee machine, which is great news for you, espresso heads!
Transportation is the last thing you need to think about when staying here. Like most of the best hotels in Basel Switzerland, this accommodation provides free public transportation tickets on the day of arrival. You can use it at SBB train stations or Badischer Bahnhof or EuroAirport. What a great service!
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Gast – und Kulturhaus Der Teufelhof Basel
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Gast – und Kulturhaus Der Teufelhof Basel (say it three times fast) is a stylish accommodation located in the Old Town area of Basel. Several must-see sights and museums are just steps away. The location is also strategic and easy to reach using public transportation.
Apart from Art Hotel and The Gallery, Gast (let’s make it shorter) is also home to the Atelier Restaurant, cafe, bar, theater, and the Falstaff wine shop. For those looking for the ultimate luxury while on vacation in Switzerland, this is the place. If the budget is not an issue, it’s one of the hotels in Basel Switzerland that we recommend.
All the rooms here are decorated in a sophisticated sense of art, with the help of renowned designers from Switzerland and Italy. Each of them has a different color theme, which creates a unique mood to be experienced with. Of course, they provide essential essentials like TV, soft bed, desk, en suite bathroom, and toiletries. Luggage storage services and ticket reservations are also available at the front desk.
One last thing we want to mention is Atelier, which is a must when you stay here. The hotel’s restaurant serves world fusion cuisine with a creative twist. Everything is made using the best local ingredients, which are guaranteed to be of high quality and healthy.
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Hotel Alfa
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Save your precious money and spend the night cheaper than ever. Located in Birsfelden, Hotel Alfa is a modern accommodation with rooms that are sure to fit your needs, as well as your pocket. Public parking is free on the premises, although reservation is not possible. Guests will also get discounts on several providers and public transportation. Now, that’s what you call a sweet deal!
The rooms here are furnished and come with the essential amenities. You’ll get a bath or shower, toilet, flat-screen TV, telephone and hairdryer. Daily housekeeping, packed lunch, as well as a barber/beauty shop service, are all available. If there’s something you need, don’t hesitate to contact their local staff. To quote the hotel’s slogan, ‘no wishes remains unfulfilled’. Great!
Even though this hotel isn’t actually in Basel, you only need to travel 200 meters to get to the city center. Just like hotels in Basel Switzerland in general, their location is also easy to reach by public transportation. There’s even a tram stop right next to the hotel. In just 15 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Messe Basel fairground. Overall, this accommodation is quite recommended.
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Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
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Here’s another hotel that stands in the center of Basel. Located next to the SBB train station, Hotel Schweizerhof is easy to access from many directions, either using public transportation or private vehicles. You’ll also find museums, sports stadiums, and exhibition centers nearby.
Tobacco enthusiasts, keep your lighter for a moment because cigarette smoke isn’t allowed while staying here. But calm down, because all of that will be redeemed by the hotel’s extraordinary services. Guests will get free non-alcoholic drinks on the third floor. In addition, free WiFi access is also available in all areas of the accommodation. Meanwhile, the rooms here have come with essentials such as a TV, soft bed, a desk, and a private bathroom.
We also highly recommend Hotel Schweizerhof for business travelers. Not many hotels in Basel Switzerland have dedicated productivity facilities like this one. You’ll find a business center with a free Internet connection, plus fax and photocopying services. In addition, banquet services or meetings can also be arranged with the hotel management.
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Recommended Restaurants/Bars in Basel:
- Cheval Blanc – Three Michelin stars should be sufficient to illustrate what kind of dish is served here. Get ready to be dazzled by Mediterranean-style cuisines or dishes with a touch of Asian spiciness. From red mullet with saffron to egg yolk ravioli with white Alba truffles, they all deserve the highest praise.
- Tanja Grandits – Here’s another Michelin star restaurant in Basel. Apart from having stunning flavors, all the dishes here are also beautifully presented. Whether you order spruce-smoked pork belly with ginger or Hiramasa kingfish with verbena oil, fennel, and lime sauce – everything will look beautiful on the plate. Too bad they all have to go in the stomach!
- Volkhaus Basel – One of the top brasseries in Basel which also doubles as an art gallery and performance space. You can order classic brasserie menus or innovative dishes here. If you want a calmer atmosphere, we recommend choosing a place in the beer garden.
Recommended Activities in Basel:
- Walking Tour through Basel Old Town – Learn about hundreds of years of northern European history on this two-hour tour. Explore every ancient corner of Basel by checking out some of the old buildings and mansions around. You’ll be invited to discover the beautiful Tinguely Fountain, Cathedral Hill, and the town hall.
- Basel: Taste my Swiss City – Self Guided Food Tour – Curious about what kind of snacks the local recommends? You can taste them all here, in their original setting! This is a must for the culinary enthusiast who wants to get to know Basel from the perspective of the local population.
- Basel: 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour – Don’t have much time? No problem, because this tour will get you covered. In sixty minutes, you’ll be taken to all the must-see sights in Basel. See for yourself how beautiful and rich the city’s cultural heritage is from a local perspective.
