Switzerland is a small country with very different destinations. In just a few hours by train, you can go from the big city of Zurich to the lakeside in Lucerne, the high mountains around Interlaken and Zermatt, and the palm trees of Lugano, where Italian is spoken. The trains run on time and often, so it’s easy to combine several towns on one trip.
On the other hand, Switzerland is expensive, and that’s especially true of the hotels. That’s why it matters a lot where you spend your nights. Here are my recommendations for seven good towns to stay in, with hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Towns in Switzerland
- Zurich - best city for arrival and city life
- Lucerne - best town for first-time visitors
- Interlaken - best base for the Jungfrau Region
- Grindelwald - best town for hiking and mountain views
- Zermatt - best town for the Matterhorn and a car-free mountain holiday
- Montreux - best town on Lake Geneva
- Lugano - best town for an Italian feel and a mild climate
Below, I’ll take you through the seven towns one by one, with hotels in different price ranges, so you can find the base that suits your trip. Prices in Switzerland are in Swiss francs (CHF), and 1 CHF is worth roughly £0.90, so I’ve converted the hotel prices into pounds for you.
1. Zurich - best city for arrival and city life 🏙️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The hotels below are in or close to the Old Town and no more than about a quarter of an hour’s walk from the main station, Zurich HB.
- 🚆 Transport: Trams and buses cover the whole city, and direct trains run from Zurich HB to Lucerne, Bern and Lugano, among other places.
- ✈️ Time from Zurich Airport: 10 to 15 minutes by train to Zurich HB. Trains run every 5 to 10 minutes for most of the day.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £200 to £730 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: Zurich is a very safe city. As always, keep an eye on your bag around the main station and in the nightlife of Niederdorf.
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, and for most visitors it’s where the trip begins. The train from the airport gets you to the main station, Zurich HB, in a quarter of an hour, and from there direct trains run to large parts of the country. That makes the city a good place to stay for your first or last nights, even if the mountains are the real goal.
The best base is the Old Town on both sides of the River Limmat. On the east side is Niederdorf with narrow streets, bars and restaurants, and on the west side you’ll find Bahnhofstrasse and the Fraumünster and St. Peter churches. From here, you can walk to both the lake and the station.
If you want a view over the city and the lake, you can take the train up the city’s own mountain, Uetliberg, in about 20 minutes from Zurich HB. In summer, boats sail out on Lake Zurich from Bürkliplatz at the end of Bahnhofstrasse. If you buy the Zürich Card, you’ll travel free on the city’s public transport, including the train to and from the airport.
Zurich is one of Europe’s most expensive cities, and you’ll notice it in both the hotels and the restaurants. In return, you get a well-run city where everything’s close by, and in summer you can swim in both the lake and the river from the city’s lidos.
If you’ve got more than a couple of nights in the city, I’ve written a full guide to where to stay in Zurich, with more neighbourhoods and even more hotels. If you’re heading on towards Germany, there are also direct trains from Zurich to Munich, and my guide to where to stay in Munich can help you with your next stop.
Places to Stay in Zurich
Storchen Zürich - best luxury hotel by the river in the Old Town
Storchen is on Weinplatz right down by the Limmat and has one of the best locations in the city, about ten minutes’ walk from the main station. The hotel has a restaurant, and the terrace sits right on the river. The price is the big downside, as it was one of the most expensive hotels in my Zurich search, and guests mention it too.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent location, lovely and helpful staff and an exceptional hotel.”
See photos and book Storchen Zürich here.
Hotel St. Josef - best mid-range hotel with a top rating
Hotel St. Josef is on Hirschengraben on the Niederdorf side of the Old Town and had the highest guest rating of the three hotels here. It’s a three-star hotel with a restaurant and breakfast, and you can walk to both the river and the main station. Guests mention that the walk up from the station is steep and has steps, so bear that in mind if you’ve got heavy luggage.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were extremely sweet, attentive and fun!”
See photos and book Hotel St. Josef here.
Motel One Zürich - the cheapest of my three picks in Zurich
Motel One is on Stockerstrasse in the Enge district between the main station and the lake, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The rooms are modern and breakfast is served, but there’s no proper restaurant. It’s about a quarter of an hour’s walk to the main station, and several guests mention that it’s a long way with a suitcase.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was excellent, and everything we needed, food, drink and transport, was right outside the door!”
See photos and book Motel One Zürich here.
2. Lucerne - best town for first-time visitors 🌉
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Under an hour by train from Zurich HB.
- 🚆 Transport: The Old Town, the station and the lake boats are all within walking distance of each other. City buses run to the neighbourhoods further out.
- ✈️ Time from Zurich Airport: Allow around an hour by train as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £190 to £940 a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Lucerne is a calm and safe town. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds around the Kapellbrücke in high season.
Lucerne is the town I’d recommend if you’re only going to one place in Switzerland. It sits on Lake Lucerne with the Pilatus and Rigi mountains close by, and the covered wooden Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) from the 14th century is one of the country’s best-known sights.
The Old Town is on the north side of the River Reuss, with painted façades, small squares and a long stretch of the old city wall. On the south side are the station and the KKL concert hall, and you can cross the bridges between the two in a few minutes.
Boats leave from the quays in front of the station, and you can combine a cruise with a cogwheel railway up one of the mountains. Rigi is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, and you’ll get a discount on many other mountain railways, so check SBB’s page on the Swiss Travel Pass before you buy tickets.
Lucerne is also a good hub for the rest of the country. The town’s tourist office has an overview of both boat trips and mountain railways, and the Luzern-Interlaken Express panoramic train runs once an hour to Interlaken in just under two hours.
The downside is that Lucerne is one of the most visited towns in the country. In summer, it’s crowded around the Kapellbrücke and in the Old Town, and the lakeside hotels are expensive. Book well ahead if you’re travelling in July and August.
The most popular day trip is the round trip to Pilatus. In the summer half of the year, you can sail from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway up to the top and ride the gondola down to Kriens, where the bus runs back into town. It takes a whole day, but you’ll see the lake, the mountain and the town from above.
Places to Stay in Lucerne
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern - best luxury hotel on the lake
Hotel Schweizerhof is on Schweizerhofquai facing the lake, about ten minutes’ walk from the station, and had the highest guest rating of my three picks in Lucerne. It’s a classic grand hotel with a spa, a gym and a restaurant. The price is high, and a few guests feel the breakfast buffet could be better, especially for vegetarians.
One guest describes their stay like this on Booking.com: “The hotel is exceptional. Every single detail has been thought through, so you feel that you’ve been thought of.”
See photos and book Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern here.
Boutique Hotel KARL - best mid-range hotel by the river
Boutique Hotel KARL is on St. Karliquai by the River Reuss at the western end of the Old Town, about 12 minutes’ walk from the station. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but serves a breakfast buffet, and guests particularly praise the staff and the location. A few guests had expected a more exclusive boutique experience for the money.
One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “I loved everything about this hotel! The staff, the room, the location and the breakfast were all absolutely amazing.”
See photos and book Boutique Hotel KARL here.
Ambassador Self Check-in Hotel - the cheapest pick close to the Old Town
Ambassador is on Zürichstrasse just north of the Old Town and was the cheapest of my three picks in Lucerne. The hotel has self check-in, so don’t expect the same service as at a classic hotel. Guests mention that the street can be noisy in the morning and that the room temperature can be hard to control.
Another guest sums it up like this on Booking.com: “The location is good (although the street can be noisy in the morning).”
See photos and book Ambassador Self Check-in Hotel here.
3. Interlaken - best base for the Jungfrau Region 🏔️
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Around two hours by train from Zurich HB.
- 🚆 Transport: From Interlaken Ost, the train runs to Lauterbrunnen in about 20 minutes and to Grindelwald in about 30 minutes.
- ✈️ Time from Zurich Airport: Allow around two and a half hours by train as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £250 to £1,440 a night when I searched, and the luxury hotel pushes the top end up considerably.
- 👮 Safety: The town is safe. If you’re going hiking or trying activities, check the weather, as it can change quickly in the mountains.
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun (Thunersee) and Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) and is the classic base for the Jungfrau Region. The town itself isn’t the prettiest in Switzerland, but the location is hard to beat. From here, trains run up towards Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, and boats sail out on both lakes.
The main street, Höheweg, runs along the large lawn of the Höhematte, where you can see the Jungfrau on clear days. The town has two stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, and it’s from Ost that you take the train on into the mountains. So I’d stay in the eastern half of town if you’re planning lots of day trips.
The big excursion is the trip to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres. The journey takes about an hour and a half each way from Interlaken Ost via Grindelwald and the Eiger Express gondola, and the ticket is expensive, so pick a day with clear weather.
See hotels in Interlaken here.
Interlaken is also a good choice if you’re travelling with children or want to try paragliding and rafting, as there are lots of operators here. The town has more restaurants and supermarkets than the villages up in the valleys, which makes it a little easier to stick to your budget.
The downside is that you won’t wake up with the mountains right outside your window. If that’s what you want, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen is a better choice, while Interlaken gives you the best connections to both the mountains and the lakes.
If the weather’s too poor to go up high, you can sail on Lake Brienz to villages such as Iseltwald and Brienz, or take the funicular up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint close to Interlaken Ost. The boats mostly run in the summer half of the year, so check the timetable if you’re travelling out of season.
Places to Stay in Interlaken
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa - best luxury hotel with views of the Jungfrau
Victoria Jungfrau is on Höheweg facing the Höhematte and is the town’s classic grand hotel. You get an indoor pool, a spa and several restaurants. It was the most expensive hotel in this entire guide when I searched, and some guests don’t feel the service quite matches the price, so it’s a place for a really special occasion.
One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “A truly beautiful and grand hotel with a strong sense of history.”
See photos and book Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa here.
Hotel Interlaken - best mid-range hotel close to Interlaken Ost
Hotel Interlaken is on Höheweg, about eight minutes’ walk from Interlaken Ost, and has a very high guest rating. There’s a restaurant and a garden, but no spa or pool. Some guests mention that in certain rooms you have to stand in the bath to take a shower.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel with a great location. The staff were excellent, and the small room with a balcony was very cosy.”
See photos and book Hotel Interlaken here.
Adventure Guesthouse Interlaken - good budget pick near Interlaken West
Adventure Guesthouse is on Helvetiastrasse, about six minutes’ walk from Interlaken West, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The breakfast gets good reviews, and there’s free parking if you’re coming by car. The rooms are small, so it’s best suited to couples who’ll be out most of the time.
One guest highlights the breakfast on Booking.com: “Our room was very comfortable. The breakfast was always excellent.”
See photos and book Adventure Guesthouse Interlaken here.
4. Grindelwald - best town for hiking and mountain views 🥾
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Allow around two and a half hours by train via Interlaken Ost.
- 🚆 Transport: The train from Interlaken Ost takes about 30 minutes. Sit at the back of the train, as it splits along the way and the front part goes to Lauterbrunnen.
- ✈️ Time from Zurich Airport: Allow around three hours by train as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £250 to £460 a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: The town is very safe. Stick to the marked trails, and check the forecast before you head up high.
Grindelwald sits at the foot of the Eiger and is the town in the Jungfrau Region where the mountains feel closest. From many of the hotels, you can look straight up at the famous North Face, and the town is the starting point for some of the best-known hikes in Switzerland.
In summer, you take the gondola up to First, where you can walk to the Bachalpsee lake, and the Eiger Express runs from Grindelwald Terminal towards Jungfraujoch. The trip from Grindelwald Terminal to the top takes about 45 minutes, so you save time compared with staying in Interlaken.
The town is built along one long main street, Dorfstrasse, with hotels, sports shops and restaurants. It’s on a slope, so expect hills as you walk around, and it’s worth choosing a hotel close to the station if you’ve got heavy luggage.
See hotels in Grindelwald here.
I’d choose Grindelwald for an active holiday where you’ll be hiking most of the day and want mountain views in the evening. In winter, the town is also a ski resort, and prices go up then.
The alternative is Lauterbrunnen in the next valley, with its many waterfalls. From there, you can get up to the car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren, while Grindelwald has the biggest choice of hotels and restaurants. The downside of both places is that the evenings are quiet and you’re further from the rest of Switzerland than in Interlaken.
If you’re coming by car, Grindelwald is also easier than Wengen and Mürren, as those two villages are car-free and you’ll have to park in Lauterbrunnen. From Grindelwald, on the other hand, you can take the train over Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen and Lauterbrunnen and do a loop of the region in one day.
Places to Stay in Grindelwald
Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel - best hotel with a pool and spa
Belvedere is on Dorfstrasse, about 300 metres from the station, and has an indoor pool, a spa and a restaurant. It was the most expensive of my three picks in Grindelwald but also had the highest guest rating, and guests particularly praise the view. Several guests feel the restaurant is pricey, so it pays to eat out on some evenings.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is fantastic. The view is magnificent.”
See photos and book Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel here.
Hotel Cabana - best mid-range hotel with personal service
Hotel Cabana is also on Dorfstrasse, about 400 metres from the station, and is a smaller hotel with a sauna and breakfast. There’s no restaurant in the evening, but you’ve got plenty of places to eat within walking distance. The hotel isn’t fully accessible for wheelchair users, so check that if it matters to you.
One guest describes the place on Booking.com: “Everything about the place felt warm, personal and incredibly well run.”
See photos and book Hotel Cabana here.
Hotel Hirschen Grindelwald - good budget pick in the middle of town
Hotel Hirschen is on Dorfstrasse, about five minutes’ walk from the station, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The hotel has a restaurant and a sauna, and guests particularly praise the staff. The lift is small, which some guests mention when they’ve got a lot of luggage.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were all very nice and eager to help and make sure we enjoyed our stay.”
See photos and book Hotel Hirschen Grindelwald here.
5. Zermatt - best town for the Matterhorn and a car-free mountain holiday 🗻
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Allow just over three hours by train from Zurich HB, usually with a change in Visp.
- 🚆 Transport: The town is car-free. If you’re coming by car, you park in Täsch and take the shuttle train, which runs about every 20 minutes.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About three and a half hours from Zurich Airport and around four hours from Geneva Airport.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £210 to £630 a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: The town is very safe. The biggest risks are the weather and the altitude, so bring proper clothing when you head up the mountains.
Zermatt is the car-free mountain town at the foot of the Matterhorn, and it’s one of the places in Switzerland where you really get the feeling of being in the High Alps. Private cars can only go as far as the neighbouring village of Täsch, and from there you take a shuttle train up to Zermatt in 12 minutes. In town, you get around by electric bus and electric taxi or on foot.
The big highlight is the Matterhorn. The cogwheel railway up to Gornergrat and the cable cars towards Matterhorn Glacier Paradise give you the view up close, and in summer there are hikes of every difficulty level.
I’d choose Zermatt for a trip where the mountains are the main event and you want to stay several nights in the same place. The town is at the end of a long valley, so it’s a poor base for day trips to the rest of the country.
Zermatt is expensive, even by Swiss standards, and that goes for the hotels, restaurants and mountain railways alike. On the other hand, there are lots of smaller family-run hotels, and the best of them have top guest ratings. See Zermatt’s official page on getting there for parking in Täsch and train connections.
Choose a room with a view of the Matterhorn if your budget allows. It’s the view most people come for, and far from every room in town has it.
The Gornergrat Railway leaves from a station right opposite Zermatt’s main station, so you can be on your way up towards the glaciers shortly after breakfast. In winter, Zermatt is one of the country’s biggest ski resorts, with pistes reaching right over the border into Italy, and prices rise even further then. So compare prices for your exact week, as they vary a lot between the seasons.
Places to Stay in Zermatt
THE OMNIA - best design hotel with views over the town
THE OMNIA sits on a rock above the town, about ten minutes’ walk from the station, and has an indoor pool and a spa. It’s a modern design hotel with a top guest rating. A few guests feel the bathrooms are small, and the price was well above the other two hotels in my Zermatt search.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were so friendly and attentive that they couldn’t have done more for us.”
See photos and book THE OMNIA here.
Welschen Hotel - highest guest rating in the whole guide
Welschen Hotel is on Wiestistrasse, about seven minutes’ walk from the station, and had the highest guest rating of all the hotels in this guide when I searched. It’s a four-star hotel at a mid-range price, and guests are especially happy with the staff. Some guests mention noise from neighbouring rooms.
One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “It’s a truly fantastic hotel, not only because of the high quality but also because the warm and welcoming staff make it something special.”
See photos and book Welschen Hotel here.
Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt - good budget pick close to the station
Hotel Walliserhof is on Bahnhofstrasse, about 200 metres from the station, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The hotel has a restaurant and a high guest rating for the price. A few guests feel the breakfast could be more varied.
One satisfied guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel staff couldn’t have been nicer, and they did everything they could to help.”
See photos and book Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt here.
6. Montreux - best town on Lake Geneva 🍷
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Allow around three hours by train from Zurich HB. From Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express takes just over three hours.
- 🚆 Transport: Public transport in the region is free with the Montreux Riviera Card when you stay at accommodation in the area.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: Just over an hour by direct train.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £160 to £500 a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Montreux is a quiet town. During the jazz festival it gets very busy, so keep a close eye on your belongings.
Montreux is on the French-speaking side of Switzerland on Lake Geneva, and the town has a mild climate with palm trees and flower beds along the lakeside promenade. It’s known for its annual jazz festival, and behind the town the mountains rise up, with a lovely view across the lake to the French Alps on the other side.
Along the lake, you can walk about three kilometres to Chillon Castle, which stands on a rock out in the water at Veytaux. On the other side of town are the vineyards of Lavaux, which are on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and you can take the train or the boat between the small wine villages.
If you stay at a hotel in the area, you’ll get the Montreux Riviera Card, which gives you free public transport in the region and half-price entry to Chillon, among other places.
I’d choose Montreux over Geneva if you want the lake and the mountains without the big city. Geneva is expensive and dominated by business travellers, while Montreux is more relaxed and still has direct trains to Geneva Airport.
Montreux is the end of the line for the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken, so the town works well as the last stop on a tour of the country. If you’re heading on to France, it isn’t far from Geneva to Lyon, and my guide to where to stay in Lyon can help you choose a neighbourhood.
If you want to go up high, the cogwheel railway runs from Montreux up to Rochers-de-Naye, with views over the whole of Lake Geneva, and you’ll get a discount on the trip with the Montreux Riviera Card. There are also direct trains along the lake to Lausanne and Geneva, so you can see both cities on day trips and still sleep in Montreux every night.
Places to Stay in Montreux
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace - best luxury hotel on the lake
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a large grand hotel facing the lake, about 400 metres from the station. There are both indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and several restaurants, and many rooms have views over Lake Geneva. Some guests feel the rooms are small for the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was lovely. It was clean and comfortable, with a fantastic view from the balcony.”
See photos and book Fairmont Le Montreux Palace here.
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic - best mid-range pick right by the station
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic is on Avenue des Alpes right opposite the station, and many rooms have lake views. There’s a restaurant with a terrace facing the water, but no pool. A few guests mention that the shower layout isn’t ideal and that the balconies don’t offer much privacy.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Everything was top notch at this remarkable hotel.”
See photos and book Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic here.
Tralala Hotel Montreux - the cheapest pick in Montreux’s Old Town
Tralala Hotel is on Rue du Temple in Montreux’s Old Town, up the slope, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The rooms are small, and it’s a bit of a walk down to the lake, but guests are very happy with the hosts. It suits couples who want to stay cheaply and don’t need a lake view.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hosts were very accommodating and friendly.”
See photos and book Tralala Hotel Montreux here.
7. Lugano - best town for an Italian feel and a mild climate ☀️
- 📍 Distance from Zurich: Under two hours by train from Zurich HB through the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
- 🚆 Transport: The station is above the centre, and the Sassellina funicular links it with Piazza Cioccaro in a few minutes.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About an hour from Milan Malpensa and around two and a half hours by train from Zurich Airport.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £210 to £520 a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Lugano is a safe city. As always, keep an eye on your bag in the busy squares and along the lakeside promenade.
Lugano is in the canton of Ticino, where Italian is spoken, and the town feels more like Italy than the rest of Switzerland. There are piazzas with cafés, palm trees along the lake and a climate that’s milder than north of the Alps.
The centre is compact, gathered around Piazza della Riforma and the lakeside promenade, and boats sail out on Lake Lugano from the quays. You can take the mountain railways up Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore for the view over the lake.
If you stay overnight in Ticino, you’ll get the Ticino Ticket, which gives you free public transport throughout the canton and discounts on mountain railways and boats. That makes day trips around the lake and in the rest of Ticino quite a bit cheaper.
Lugano is close to the Italian border, and the train to Milan takes around an hour. Have a look at my guide to where to stay in Milan, or head on to Lake Como, which is just on the other side of the border.
If you’re flying into Milan Malpensa, the TILO S50 train runs once an hour between the airport and Lugano. In my guide to Malpensa Airport, you can see the other ways of getting from the airport.
The downside is that you’re a long way from the big mountains of the Bernese Oberland and Valais. Lugano works best at the start or end of a tour of the country, or for a holiday where sun and lake matter more than glaciers.
A classic day trip is to take the mountain railway up Monte San Salvatore, walk down to the small village of Morcote on the lake and sail back to Lugano. In the evening, life gathers on the piazzas and along the promenade towards Parco Ciani, the city’s park right down by the water.
Places to Stay in Lugano
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola - best luxury hotel on the lake
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is in Castagnola, east of the centre, about 1.5 kilometres from the station. The hotel has an indoor pool, a spa, a garden and its own beach on the lake, and it had the highest guest rating of my three picks in Lugano. Several guests are annoyed about paying extra for things like breakfast and drinks at a five-star hotel.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The suite was amazing.”
See photos and book Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola here.
Hotel Walter Au Lac - best mid-range pick on the lakeside promenade
Hotel Walter Au Lac is on Piazza Rezzonico facing the lake in the heart of the centre, about seven minutes’ walk from the station, and many rooms have views over the water. It’s an older hotel with a restaurant and staff that guests are very happy with. Guests also mention that the building is showing its age, especially in the bathrooms.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Fantastic location and very friendly and lovely staff!”
See photos and book Hotel Walter Au Lac here.
Continental Parkhotel - good budget pick with a pool close to the station
Continental Parkhotel is on Via Basilea close to the station and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The hotel has an outdoor pool in the summer season, a restaurant and free parking, and you can see the lake from some of the rooms. On the other hand, it’s up above the centre, and some guests miss being able to make tea and coffee in the room.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive.”
See photos and book Continental Parkhotel here.
Where should you avoid staying in Switzerland?
I wouldn’t stay at Zurich Airport unless you’ve got a very early flight. The train to the centre only takes a quarter of an hour, so you don’t save much by staying out there, and you won’t get any of the city.
Geneva isn’t my first choice as a base either. The city is expensive and it’s a long way to the big mountains, so if you land in Geneva, I’d carry on to Montreux or Zermatt the same day.
Don’t stay in Zermatt either if you want to see a lot of the country. The town is at the end of a long valley, and every day trip costs you hours on the train. The same goes for Täsch, where the hotels are cheaper but you’ll have to take the shuttle train every time you want to go up to Zermatt.
If it’s your first time in Switzerland, I’d stay in Lucerne and add a couple of nights in Interlaken or Grindelwald, so you get lake, town and high mountains. If the Matterhorn is your goal, give Zermatt at least two nights, as the clouds can hide the summit for a whole day.
Montreux and Lugano are the best choices for a calmer trip with a lake and a mild climate. Wherever you stay, compare a Swiss Travel Pass with the Swiss Half Fare Card before you buy train tickets. A three-day Swiss Travel Pass in 2nd class costs around 250 CHF, roughly £230, while the Half Fare Card costs quite a bit less and gives you half price on most trains, boats and mountain railways for a month.
If you’d like to continue east, Austria isn’t far, and my guide to where to stay in Salzburg is a good place to start. To the south, Lake Garda and the Dolomites are waiting if you want even more lakes and mountains.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
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