Who This Switzerland Accommodation Guide Is For

Switzerland is ideal if you like clean, efficient travel, dramatic scenery and calm, comfortable hotels at the end of the day. This guide is for travellers who:

• Prefer private rooms over shared dorms
• Enjoy scenic journeys, especially by train, cable car and boat
• Want easy access to lakes, mountains and historic old towns
• Appreciate order, safety and a slower, more scenic pace of travel

We focus on central locations, reliable comfort and good access to Switzerland’s superb rail network.

A Short Historical Prelude to Staying in Switzerland

Switzerland’s history shapes where you stay and what you see:

• Medieval trading routes – Many Swiss towns grew where alpine passes met rivers and lakes. Today their old towns, waterfronts and covered bridges are some of the most appealing areas to stay.
• Confederation of cantons – Switzerland developed as a loose confederation of independent regions (cantons), each with its own traditions and languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh). This variety means the feel of your stay changes dramatically from region to region.
• Neutrality and tourism – In the 19th century, Switzerland’s political stability and mountain scenery attracted early tourists, climbers and writers. Grand hotels appeared around lakes and resort towns, many still operating today with updated interiors.
• Railways and mountain engineering – Iconic railways (Jungfrau, Glacier Express, Bernina line) made once‑remote Alpine areas accessible. When you pick a base in places like Interlaken or Lucerne, you are using networks that were built specifically to bring visitors to the mountains and lakes.

Where you stay in Switzerland is often a question of which landscape you want to wake up to: a lake, a historic old town, or dramatic peaks.

Getting Around: Why Switzerland by Train Is a Dream

Travelling by train in Switzerland was one of the highlights of our trip and an excellent way to see both the country and surrounding regions of Europe.

• Dense, punctual network – Trains, buses and boats connect even small mountain villages with surprising efficiency. Timetables are coordinated, and transfers are usually straightforward.
• Scenic journeys built in – Routes around lakes and through mountain valleys are attractions in themselves. Large windows, comfortable seats and smooth tracks make the journeys relaxing.
• Easy international links – From Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva and Basel, you have direct train connections into Germany, France, Italy and beyond, making Switzerland a perfect hub on a wider European trip.
• Simple arrival and departure days – Stations are often in or near the centre, so you can roll your luggage off the train and be at your hotel in minutes.

If you enjoy watching peaks, forests and turquoise lakes glide past your window, basing yourself near main stations (or near good bus/train hubs in resort areas) makes your travel days part of the experience rather than just transit.

Best Types of Accommodation in Switzerland (Beyond Dorms)

Mid‑Range City and Resort Hotels

In Swiss cities and resort towns, well‑run mid‑range hotels are common:

• Comfortable beds and spotless bathrooms
• Generous breakfasts (often with fresh bread, cheeses and local products)
• Helpful reception staff used to international guests
• Good access to public transport or walking routes

These hotels are ideal if you value practicality and comfort over luxury.

Traditional Alpine Hotels and Guesthouses

In mountainous areas and smaller towns you’ll find:

• Family‑run hotels with wooden balconies and mountain views
• Cosy lounges and in‑house restaurants
• A relaxed, home‑like feel with personal service

They’re perfect if you want Alpine atmosphere and easy access to trails, cable cars and viewpoints.

Modern Design Hotels and Aparthotels

In larger towns and newer resort developments:

• Stylish interiors with clean lines and large windows
• Studios or apartments with kitchenettes
• Hotel‑style service combined with self‑catering flexibility

These can be a good match if you like contemporary design and the option to cook simple meals, which also helps manage costs.

Lakeside and Historic Hotels

Around lakes and in old towns you’ll see:

• Historic hotels on promenades or near squares
• Properties with terraces facing the water or mountains
• Period features updated with modern amenities

If you enjoy strolling along the lake before dinner or sitting outside with a view, these locations are very rewarding.

Where to Stay: Good Bases for Exploring the Alps and Lakes

Switzerland is compact enough that you don’t need to change hotels every night. Many travellers:

• Combine a lakeside or city base (like Lucerne) with
• A mountain‑oriented base (like Interlaken or the Jungfrau Region)

Using trains and boats, you can explore a wide area without frequent packing and unpacking.

Below we focus on Interlaken and Lucerne, where we stayed, then suggest other options.