Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois

Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is the most famous address in Basel, and its position on the Rhine is hard to beat. The hotel stands on the Blumenrain, directly beside the Mittlere Brucke, the old stone bridge, with its terrace and many rooms facing the river and the Kleinbasel bank. An inn has stood here since the seventeenth century, and the name, the Three Kings, recalls the royal guests who stayed in earlier centuries. Today it is a member of the leading Swiss luxury hotel scene and the place where visiting heads of state, artists and business leaders choose to stay. The location is ideal for a first visit. The Marktplatz and the red Rathaus are a few minutes walk up the hill, the minster and the Kunstmuseum are within fifteen minutes, and the Rhine ferries and promenades are on the doorstep. Trams stop close by, and the main station is a short taxi ride away.

Inside, expect refined interiors that mix classic salons with contemporary design, high ceilings and generous rooms and suites. Many rooms have river views, and the best rooms look over the water towards the minster and the bridge. Rooms vary in size and style, so check the category and view when you book, and ask about connecting rooms if you travel with family.

Dining is a highlight. The hotel is known for its formal restaurant and its more relaxed brasserie, which has a river terrace in summer, and breakfast is a leisurely affair with a wide choice. Afternoon tea and drinks in the bar are popular with non guests as well as residents, so it is wise to reserve a table at busy times.

The hotel suits couples, special occasions and anyone who wants a classic grand hotel experience. It is also well placed for the major events of the Basel calendar, including the art fair in June and the carnival in late winter, though rooms at these times sell out far in advance and rates rise sharply. Book early and compare flexible rates.

Guests staying in Basel hotels generally receive a mobility ticket that covers local buses and trams during their stay, so check with the hotel at check in. Staff can help with theatre and museum reservations, taxis and transfers to the airport, which is about twenty minutes away by road.

This is a splurge, and the price reflects the setting and service. If you want to enjoy the atmosphere without staying, a drink on the terrace on a summer evening, with the Rhine and the bridge in front of you, is one of the great experiences of Basel.

Before you book, decide how much of the river you want in the room. A Rhine facing room costs noticeably more, but the view of the bridge, the ferries and the minster at dawn is the reason many guests choose this hotel. Ask about packages that include breakfast, dinner or spa style extras, and about flexible cancellation.