The Best Boutique Hotels in Switzerland

Verbier has some of the world’s best off-piste skiing. It’s also home to Experimental Chalet, offering alpine rooms with gorgeous views of the mountains. Opt for a Verbier Suite with a jacuzzi for a private soak after a day on the slopes. When hunger strikes, try the free-range chicken with wine sauce in the farm-to-table restaurant run by a top-notch Parisian chef. If you’re not skiing or you’re visiting during warmer weather, sign up for tandem skydiving or paragliding to see the region from above.

Saas-Fee, a car-free Swiss ski resort, is a breath of fresh air for nature lovers. The Capra (named after a mountain goat) comes with a gourmet restaurant and a luxury spa that captures the region’s alpine charm perfectly with its modernist wood-panel design. The latter includes an indoor pool, a toasty steam room and fitness classes. The five-star hotel also runs a shuttle to its slopeside ski-in, ski-out cabin, which makes ditching your skis and boots a breeze.

Gstaad is where the elite come to ski and enjoy the vertical countryside. The Alpina Gstaad adheres to traditional architecture standards – lots of stone and reclaimed timber – while also embracing modernity with its selection of three restaurants run by a Michelin-star chef, a Himalayan salt grotto and a Turkish bath. The property, plopped down on a hilltop, affords sweeping views of Gstaad. Hire one of the on-site e-bikes and snow-themed electric Fiats to explore the area.

In the Bernese Oberland, you’ll find the Cambrian, run by a Welsh pair well versed in Swiss life. While there’s no shortage of summer and winter activities – cable-car rides, hiking, sledging, skiing and more – two highlights are the heated indoor and outdoor pools, offering elevated views of the surrounding mountainside. The extensive spa – try the honey body scrub – is perfect for a soak and relaxation after a day of outdoor adventures.

Described as the oldest boutique hotel in Switzerland, the Boutique-Hotel Schlüssel looks like a traditional alpine hotel on the outside. However, inside, you’ll find 12 modern luxury suites with free-standing bathtubs and plump duvets. It sits in the village of Beckenried near Lucerne, with beautiful scenes of the mountains and Lake Lucerne all around. The restaurant highlights fresh, local ingredients, so there are no written menus. Instead, the servers describe the dishes on offer, reflecting what’s in season.

Just a short walk from Lake Geneva, Eastwest Hotel’s exterior is solemnly classical, while a contemporary, relaxed setting designed by artists Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet await you inside. As the hotel’s name suggests, there’s a blend of Chinese design and Western amenities, such as a Nespresso coffee machine and pillow menu in each room. You can try Swiss wine at the weekly tapas evening, followed by dinner at the innovative, upscale restaurant with an Asian twist.

Hotel Firefly brings the traditional alpine lodge into the 21st century. This stylish, family-owned hotel lies just outside the centre of Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s top ski resorts. Each suite pays homage to the four elements of earth, fire, air and water – with colour schemes to match. Upgrade to the five-bedroom Skylight Loft for oodles of space and spectacular views of the Matterhorn, and relax in the aromatherapy steam bath or the distiller sauna before heading down for an Aperol spritz in Bar55.

If you want to escape from the crowds and enjoy nature at its purest, the Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel offers spacious, luxurious “pods” in the heart of the Swiss mountains. These geodesic domes combine glamping with hotel luxuries, including comfortable double beds, wooden floors and log-burners. In summer, you can go on long hikes along 25km (16mi) of signposted trails. In winter, you can take advantage of the many cold-weather activities on offers, including snowshoeing and husky dog sledging. The on-site restaurant, Les Cerniers, offers a nonstop lunch service featuring traditional mountain and regional dishes.

In the heart of Zürich’s old town, the Widder Hotel building dates back to the 12th century. Its design is contemporary, but throughout its 49 rooms, the rich medieval heritage is gloriously maintained. The hotel takes its name from the house of the Widder, a butcher’s guild that still organises meetings today. Alongside luxury suites, the five-star hotel offers four stylish, fully furnished apartments for extended stays. With two Michelin stars, the on-site Widder Restaurant is a must-visit, so book early.