Switzerland hotels where to stay.

Hotels in Switzerland are ideally positioned for travellers who want a country that blends cosmopolitan cities with dramatic alpine scenery. From the lakefront promenades around Zürich to the car-free heights of Zermatt, Switzerland is compact, safe and consistently scenic—whether you visit for summer hiking or winter snow sports. For landmark-led days, Bahnhofstrasse is a signature Zurich shopping boulevard that links Zürich main station to the Lake Zurich area.

Best regions and where to base

City and culture: Start in Zurich for museums, dining and easy onward connections across the country. Basel suits travellers who prefer galleries, river views and a more relaxed pace. Iconic alpine resorts (Jungfrau & beyond): The Lauterbrunnen valley is a classic base for the waterfalls and rail access into the Jungfrau region, including Staubbach Falls. For the Matterhorn experience, Zermatt is the standout base; it is a car-free village reached via the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, with arrivals routed from Täsch. High-altitude glamour: St Moritz works well for luxury stays and winter sports. For a winter-first feel, Davos is well placed for mountain excursions, while Grindelwald and Verbier are strong choices for a more active, outdoor-led itinerary.

Example hotel bases include Chesa Valese (Zermatt) 4★ and La Vue – Zermatt Luxury Living Appartements (Zermatt) 5★ for Zermatt, and Carlton Hotel St Moritz (St Moritz) 5★ for St Moritz.

When to go

Switzerland’s peak periods typically cluster in summer (June–September) and winter (December–February), when resorts are most animated and mountain access is widest. Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are often a sweet spot for fewer crowds and clear sightseeing.

Getting around

Trains are the backbone of travel between regions, with mountain railways and lifts filling the gaps. Many car-free villages—most notably Zermatt—are reached by rail from nearby road-access points such as Täsch.