13 Top-Rated Hotels in Basel
Basel offers visitors both a historic old town, as well as an ultra-modern central business area. Located right on the Rhine River, the Swiss city is nestled right between the borders of both France and Germany. It's so close to the French border that the city's airport terminal has one exit that lets you walk out into France.
Many of the city's hotels are in the Messe area, surrounding the massive Congress Center Basel and Basel Exhibition Centre complex. There are also a large number of hotels in Basel's alstadt or old town, the historic area adjacent to the Rhine. Still more can be found in the St. Alban area near the main Basel SBB train station.
All Basel hotel guests receive the BaselCard, which offers an array of benefits. The first is free use of the city's public transportation system, including the airport bus. Cardholders also get a 50 percent discount on museum admission and discounts on city tours, bike rentals, and other tourist activities. You also get free public Wi-Fi at 26 hotspots around the city.
Best Luxury Hotels in Basel
Basel's luxury hotels provide sumptuous accommodations with top-notch service.
1. Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
Not just the best hotel in Basel, the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is considered one of the best hotels in the world. For 2020, it was voted by the Gault-Millau guide (similar to Michelin) as the world's top hotel. It's also one of the world's oldest, continuously operating hotels under the same name, first opening as an inn in 1681.
The current building dates back to the 19th century, and it has the best location in the city, right on the bank of the Rhine at the city's first bridge (called Middle Bridge).
The rooms and suites (and public spaces) have a grand, luxurious, historic vibe, while the service is warm and personal. This is the perfect place for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
The Les Trois Rois is also home to one of the world's great restaurants, the three-Michelin-star rated Cheval Blanc. There's also the more casual Brasserie and a popular Italian restaurant called Chez Donati.
2. Hotel Krafft Basel
Accommodation: Hotel Krafft Basel
This historic, pet-friendly, luxury hotel is also located right on the bank of the Rhine in the Kleinbasel area of the city. Kleinbasel is the area on the side of the Rhine opposite the old town (known as Grossbasel).
Some rooms and suites offer spectacular river views (some even have balconies), and its location across the river from the old town area gives you storybook views of the medieval city.
The Krafft boasts an excellent restaurant with great river views and a large summer terrace. The menu focuses on locally sourced products, most of which are purchased by the chef himself. Added guest amenities include foldable, portable free loaner bikes to explore the city, and free in-room Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a satellite property, the Consum Residence by Krafft Basel, located across the street. It's a boutique design hotel and has very modern, design-focused rooms and studios, with all the services of the main hotel.
3. Art House Basel
Accommodation: Art House Basel
For luxury boutique accommodation, check out the Art House Basel. The hotel boasts modern architecture and urban street art style throughout. It has also been designed with the goal of creating a space to foster conversations between travelers.
There are just 33 rooms and suites, which were conceived by Italian designer Andrea Caputo and have a contemporary look with creative photographic artwork. Rooms come in a number of sizes and are individually decorated. Some have private terraces.
If you are traveling with the kids, check out the Art House Club Suite. It has a pull-out sofa in the separate living space that is perfect for little ones. The decor is Japanese influenced, with wood floors and low wooden bed frames. The property is also pet-friendly.
Breakfast is offered and can be served in your room. There is also a lovely rooftop terrace. Grab an espresso drink in the morning from the on-site coffee house.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Basel
Basel has a very large selection of mid-range hotels. These cater to both business and leisure guests and offer an impressive array of amenities and services along with convenient locations and reasonable prices.
1. Pullman Basel Europe Hotel
Accommodation: Pullman Basel Europe Hotel
This business/leisure hotel, part of Accor, puts you right in the center of the Kleinbasel area, close to everything. It's on Clarastrasse, a two-minute walk from the Congress Center Basel in one direction and a five-minute walk from the Rhine and the city's historic core in the other direction.
When you get hungry, there are two restaurants at the Pullman, a casual bistro called Bistro Europe and a fine-dining option, Les 4 Saisons, with a seasonally changing menu. To work off those meals, there's a compact gym overlooking the garden.
Aside from being on a street filled with shops, restaurants, and cafés, it's right next to the Coop Supermarkt, a Target-like supermarket and department store perfect for picking up things you may have forgotten at home. The hotel also has its own parking garage, for guests arriving by car.
2. Swissotel Le Plaza Basel
Accommodation: Swissotel Le Plaza Basel
The Swissotel is on the Messeplatz, directly across from the Congress Center. It's a stylish, modern property with a bit more of a luxury experience than similarly priced competitors. If you're visiting for an event, the location is ideal, as it's about five steps from the exhibition center entrance.
Rooms and suites are very modern with a functional design. They have large work areas and flat-screen TVs; suites have whirlpool tubs and other luxury upgrades.
Grill25 is the hotel's single dining option. It's surprisingly good, with a menu using only locally sourced products.
The Swissotel also has a large Purovel Sport gym with an adjacent steam room and dry sauna. In-room Wi-Fi is free, as is the extensive daily breakfast buffet.
Like other Swissotels, there's a focus on wellness and vitality. There are in-room yoga mats, and the hotel offers a full map of local jogging tracks and routes. There's even a small, appointment-only spa offering Ayurvedic treatments and massages.
3. Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Located close to the train station and an easy walk from Freie Strasse shopping (the city's luxury store area), the Radisson Blu Basel is an excellent choice for Basel visitors.
The hotel is new, and rooms and suites have modern amenities like bedside USB charging ports and free, high-speed Wi-Fi. For solo travelers who want style and amenities but don't need a lot of space, the hotel's tiny (14-square-meter) Individual Rooms are a great choice. The Radisson Blu also has junior suites, suites, and large family rooms that can comfortably accommodate four people.
Rare for the city, the Radisson Blu has an indoor pool. Guests can enjoy a dry sauna and a steam room. You can work out in the small exercise room. There's also a small spa offering a range of treatment and massage options.
When you get hungry, there's Filini Restaurant, one of the city's most popular Italian spots.
4. GAIA Hotel
Accommodation: GAIA Hotel
This mid-range hotel is right on the Centralbahnstrasse, one of Basel's main streets. The hotel is directly across from the train station, making it easy to get to. All the tram lines stop outside, so it's also convenient for exploring the city and the entire region.
Rooms have a classic design with modern amenities. You get satellite TV, a flat-screen TV, and some rooms have kitchenettes. Breakfast at the GAIA is free, as is the in-room Wi-Fi and the organic drinks in the minibar, too.
The hotel is on a mission to become a zero-waste hotel. Coffee grounds are used by a city group to grow mushrooms. Stale bread is sent to the Basel Zoo for the elephants, organic waste is composted, bar soap is commercially recycled, and all cleaning products used are non-toxic.
5. Steinenschanze Stadthotel
Accommodation: Steinenschanze Stadthotel
This top-rated hotel is popular because it offers excellent value for money. That value is combined with a convenient, central location and modern, comfortable accommodations. It's adjacent to the old town area, putting it close to most of the city's tourist attractions.
The Steinenschanze has a beautiful garden, which is an excellent place to relax after exploring Basel. Breakfast is a wholesome, mostly organic experience with a lot of vegan and gluten-free options. The breakfast is included in some room rates or available a la carte. There's even a super-early (4am) croissant and coffee service for early risers or for those with early flights.
All those reasons are enough to visit, but guests should also know the hotel is owned by a local charity organization. The revenue from the hotel supports social work and counseling for Basel citizens in difficult situations.
6. Der Teufelhof Basel
Accommodation: Der Teufelhof Basel
Der Teufelhof is a historic boutique hotel located within the alstadt or old town area. Made from two 18th-century townhouses joined together, this Basel hotel has 33 rooms and suites and is divided into two concepts: Although housed in a classic building, some of the rooms create an art hotel, these Gallery Hotel rooms all have a very modern interior with an art gallery feel. The other rooms have a historic, classic style, like you're living in a painting. These are considered part of the Art Hotel concept.
All the rooms have seriously stylish designer furniture, like custom Italian-made desks and Eames armchairs. You sleep on Swiss-made Wohnbedarf beds with Robusta mattresses and pillows.
More than just a hotel, Der Teufelhof is a cultural complex with two restaurants (one with a Michelin star), a theater, and coffee lounge. The theater presents a wide range of cultural performances, including music and dance performances and more. The Teufelhof wants guests to have a cohesive cultural experience, to be a "partner on a joint voyage of discovery" as they put it, at the hotel. A stay involves and combines all these different worlds: fine dining, art, accommodations, and theater.
7. Novotel Basel City
Accommodation: Novotel Basel City
Another pet-friendly hotel in Basel, the Novotel Basel City Hotel is a clean, modern mid-range option with the Novotel brand's usual standard of quality and service.
Rooms come with free Wi-Fi; a Nespresso machine; and a 42-inch, LED flat-screen with satellite TV and a range of international (and pay) channels. Your stay is enhanced with luxe details like plush bathrobes and slippers. GOURMETBAR is the Novotel's modern brasserie.
The family-friendly hotel has a child's play area, and the hotel has organized family activities and can provide babysitting services. Two children stay free with parents in the same room, and family rooms are available with a queen-sized bed and a sofa bed.
8. Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel
Accommodation: Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel
This extremely stylish, pet-friendly design hotel is in the Vorstaedte area, not far from the Rhine.
Nomad rooms come in two styles: the Urban Club Rooms have more of a loft feel, with exposed concrete and warm oak wood trim. Design Rooms have custom-woven rugs and leather furniture. Both room styles are quite nice. Urban Club rooms are a bit nicer and more expensive, they also offer Library Club (the hotel's executive club lounge) access. There's also a very cool Penthouse Suite.
The Nomad supports wellness with a fitness studio and a Finnish dry sauna. The hotel can arrange personal trainers and massages on request. Football fans will want to check out the hotel's FC Basel 1893 VIP package, which includes accommodations and a VIP experience at an FCB match.
The trendy Nomad Eatery is the on-site restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an extensive menu all available from 11:30am until 11pm. They do an excellent Sunday brunch and a very popular (with both guests and locals) monthly Korean night with Korean food and music.
9. Hotel Spalentor Basel
Accommodation: Hotel Spalentor Basel
Another hotel that consistently gets high ratings from guests, the Hotel Spalentor is in the heart of Basel's old town. The word Spalentor refers to one of only three remaining gate towers from city's 15th-century town wall. There are 40 rooms and suites; all are non-smoking (as is the entire hotel). These rooms and suites are very modern, with free, high-speed Wi-Fi and high-end custom cabinetry and furniture.
There's a fitness center and a fun game room with a pool table, darts, and a foosball table. The hotel also has a dedicated kids' playroom. Complimentary loaner bicycles are available for guests.
The Spalentor has an extensive breakfast buffet, included with some room rates. Guests are greeted with a cold drink and fresh fruit on arrival, creating a wonderful first impression. There is no restaurant, but many cafés and restaurants are within steps of the front door.
10. Hotel Basel
Accommodation: Hotel Basel
This boutique hotel is family-owned and managed and is a great old town hotel option. It's on a tiny street normally reserved for pedestrians (hotel guests and related cars have access), and it's easy to explore the old town area on foot.
You're surrounded by things to see, do, buy, and eat. There are 30 shops just in and around the building itself. The excellent service and central old town location make it popular with river cruisers. Many Rhine river cruises start (or end) in Basel.
The classic exterior hides very modern rooms with all the necessary goodies, including free high-speed Wi-Fi and bathrooms with premium amenities and rain showers.
Restaurant options include the upscale Brasserie Steiger and a summer-only outdoor terrace café called Boulevard. The hotel also serves a popular afternoon English tea service every day.
