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Live the High Life in These Luxury Hotels in Switzerland

Enjoy the glitz and glamour of St Moritz from the Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains
Enjoy the glitz and glamour of St Moritz from the Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains | Courtesy of Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St Moritz / Expedia

Home to luxury brands such as Rolex, Swatch and Victorinox, Switzerland has long been associated with high quality and attention to detail. Its most luxurious hotels maintain the country’s high-class reputation, too, offering guests everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to helicopter rides. Whether you’re heading to the mountains of Gstaad or fashionable St Moritz, here’s our pick of the most luxurious hotels – bookable with Culture Trip.

Gstaad Palace

Spa Hotel, Hotel

An aerial view of Gstaad Palace, with an outdoor pool, tennis courts and chalet-style buildings, in the Swiss countryside
Courtesy of Gstaad Palace / Expedia

Even by the standards of a five-star hotel, the activities offered at the Gstaad Palace are exceptional. Enjoy a helicopter ride over the Matterhorn, including champagne and lunch served at 3,000m (9,842ft) and tennis lessons with Australian tennis legend Roy Emerson. Equally memorable, have lunch or dinner accompanied by fine Swiss wines at the Walig Hut, an 18th-century Alpine lodge situated 1,700m (5,577ft) above the village of Gsteig.

Baur au Lac

Hotel

Opulent seating in the lobby at Baur au Lac, with trees, a chandelier and a large glass ceiling dome
Courtesy of Baur au Lac / Expedia

Set in landscaped gardens halfway between the lake and the pedestrianised Schanzengraben, the palatial Baur au Lac has been owned and run by the same family for six generations. Attention to detail is evident in its rooms and suites, which range in style from Louis XIV to English Regency, and showcase fabrics and furniture custom made in France, Belgium, Germany and England. All rooms have huge marble bathrooms and most have lake, city or canal views.

Badrutt's Palace Hotel

Hotel

Rocks at the indoor pool at Badrutts Palace Hotel, with snow-capped mountains outside the floor-to-ceiling windows
Courtesy of Badrutt's Palace Hotel / Expedia
Badrutt’s Palace which opened in 1886, is one of St Moritz’s most fashionable hotels. Its culinary offering is dazzling, comprising IGNIV by Michelin-starred chef Andreas Caminada, a champagne and caviar bar and a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant on the former indoor tennis court, Europe’s first when it opened in 1913. For unbeatable views and maximum space, book the signature lake double room with balcony.

Fairmont Grand Hotel Geneva

Luxury, Chain Hotel

A bed with a view of Lake Geneva from floor-to-ceiling windows in a hotel room at Fairmont Grand Hotel
Courtesy of Fairmont Grand Hotel / Expedia

Guests at the waterfront Fairmont Grand have access to Geneva’s largest indoor swimming pool and the cool nightclub, Java, where the beats don’t stop until 5am. The rooms have a modern and elegant feel, the gold and red hues providing a regal tone. The signature Lake View doubles look over the Old Town and Mont Blanc, with floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the views. On the dining front, choose from Italian dishes at Il Vero, some of Geneva’s best Chinese food at Lou One and traditional Swiss cuisine at Le Grill.

The Alpina Gstaad

Luxury, Hotel

The pool and hot tub at Alpina Gstaad, with rocky pillars and a wood beam ceiling
Courtesy of The Alpina Gstaad / Expedia

The Aplina Gstaad’s Megu is Switzerland’s best Japanese restaurant, according to the Gault & Millau gourmet guide. The interior is inspired by the temples of Kyoto and dishes include lamb marinated in whisky soy sauce and crispy green asparagus with chilli and lemon. It also has one of the country’s largest sake cellars. The hotel’s other restaurants don’t let the side down either. The Sommet, which has a Michelin star, offers a globally-inspired menu from executive chef Martin Goschel, and Swiss classics such as fondue come with a twist at the Stubli restaurant.

La Réserve Geneve

Spa Hotel, Hotel

The sleek indoor pool area at La Réserve Geneve
Courtesy of La Réserve Geneve / Expedia

Frequented by the high-flying and political elite who regularly visit Geneva, La Réserve aims to redefine luxury. Rooms are tastefully decorated and there’s health spa and fitness centre which promises to strip away stress and leave you feeling fresh and reinvigorated. The hotel complex also has three restaurants including the Michelin-starred Le Tsé Fung.

Hotel Les Trois Rois

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel, Hotel

Seating and a large desk in a room at Hotel Les Trois Rois, with white wood beams framing the sitting area
Courtesy of Hotel Les Trois Rois / Expedia

Basel’s most luxurious hotel has sat on the Rhine river bank for over 300 years. Don’t let its age deter you, as Les Trois Rois has kept up with the times. The culinary experience is exquisite especially the Cheval Blanc, a three-starred Michelin restaurant run by culinary genius Peter Knogl. If you are visiting the historic city of Basel and want to treat yourself, this is the hotel for you.

Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St Moritz

Hotel

Seating in a traditional guest room at Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St Moritz, with a wood beam ceiling
Courtesy of Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St Moritz / Expedia

The Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains offers all the glitz and glamour of the St. Moritz ski resort and easy access to ski slopes close by. Each of the 184 rooms or suites (and chalet suite) come with vintage antiques and wooden interiors which provide a cosy, rustic feel. The hotel is only open at certain times during the season so check the website for opening and closing dates.

Ultima Gstaad

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Spa Hotel

Loungers around the stylish pool area and spa at Ultima Gstaad
Courtesy of Ultima Gstaad / Expedia

Located in the swanky ski resort of Gstaad, frequented by A-list celebrities, this five-star resort hotel offers comfortable suites from junior through deluxe, signature and presidential. Each of them, and the upscale residences, are kitted out with all the amenities you will need for a relaxing stay. Enjoy a romantic gourmet dinner at the Duchessa restaurant or relax after a day on the slopes at the wellness centre.

Beau-Rivage Palace

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The outdoor pool, terrace and gardens at Beau-Rivage Palace, looking out on Lake Geneva
Courtesy of Beau-Rivage Palace / Expedia

Perched on the edge of Lake Geneva. the elegant Beau-Rivage has hosted famous figures such as Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin and Nelson Mandela, to name a few. Each of its rooms is individually styled, ensuring a highly personalised experience. The outstanding culinary offering includes Le Mayako, a sushi bar, and the two Michelin starred Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant.

Château d’Ouchy

Hotel

A bed and sitting area in a hotel room at Château d’Ouchy; the walls are red with some wood panelling, and there is a wood beam ceiling
Courtesy of Château d’Ouchy / Expedia

Steeped in history, and a stone’s throw from Lake Geneva, the 12th-century Château d’Ouchy is a great hotel to experience the beautiful city of Lausanne. All of the hotel’s 50 rooms are artfully decorated, in tune with the Château’s prestigious heritage. The restaurant and bar offers exquisite dishes including the speciality perch meunière which comes from the lake.

Chateau Gütsch

Hotel

The castle-like Chateau Gütsch, high on a hill above Lucerne and flying the Swiss flag from the main tower
Courtesy of Chateau Gütsch / Expedia

The Chateau Gütsch is an icon of Lucerne. The building which was constructed in 1888 doubled as a home and hotel. Today, it is one of Switzerland’s most charming boutique hotels. The stylish interior effortlessly matches the Chateau’s Belle-Époque exterior, where luxury intertwines with pomp and elegance. Wonderful views of the city, lake and mountains from the terrace are worth a visit alone.

Hotel Villa Honegg

Hotel

Loungers and umbrellas on the terrace at Hotel Villa Honegg, with a dramatic view of the lake and mountains in the distance
Courtesy of Hotel Villa Honegg / Booking.com

The views from Villa Honegg’s outdoor heated pool are magnificent. A short distance from Lucerne, the Honegg is perched on a hilltop overlooking Lake Lucerne and surrounded by nature. The hotel has been called a hideaway hotel for the blend of comfort and nature experiences it offers.

The Dolder Grand

Hotel

Stylish seating by the fireplace in the lobby area at the Dolder Grand
Courtesy of The Dolder Grand / Expedia

This sprawling hotel, perched above Zurich, with views spanning the city and the distant mountains, is a top pick. Prices may be steep but what’s on offer here is everything you could hope for from a luxury hotel. There’s a choice of suites and rooms, an on-call butler service and two restaurants, including a two Michelin starred restaurant overseen by chef Heiko Neider.

Mark Nayler contributed additional reporting to this article.

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