Timeless Hospitality in Swiss Historic Hotels

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Many of Switzerland’s historic grand hotels trace their origins to the golden age of Alpine tourism. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, perched above lakes, or set in charming old towns, these timeless properties combine Belle Époque elegance with modern-day comfort. Whether you're looking for luxury Swiss hotels, romantic mountain retreats, or family-friendly historic stays, the Swiss Historic Hotels collection offers a unique sense of place — and a warm welcome shaped by generations of tradition. From the shimmering lakes of Lugano to the high valleys of the Valais, from the forested Engadin to the storybook villages of Graubünden — in every corner of Switzerland, we found grand hotels with breathtaking atmosphere and a spirit all their own.

Hotel Waldhaus Sils, Sils im Engadin

Perched on a wooded hill above Sils, this five-star grand hotel has been lovingly run by the same family since 1908. With 140 rooms, 220 beds and a dedicated team of 180, the Waldhaus blends tradition with a rare personal touch. Behind its stately façade lies a warm, welcoming world full of character and charm. Honoured as Historic Hotel of the Year in 2005 and certified by ICOMOS, it preserves original details like crystal chandeliers and a Welte-Mignon piano — a living monument to Swiss hospitality at its most heartfelt.

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Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz

Since 1896, Badrutt’s Palace has stood as a glittering icon in the heart of St. Moritz. Overlooking Lake St. Moritz and framed by alpine peaks, this legendary hotel offers refined glamour, impeccable service, and a sense of occasion that never fades. Historic halls echo with stories of royals and film stars, while today’s guests enjoy exceptional dining, a world-class spa, and timelessly elegant rooms. Still owned by the Badrutt family, the Palace blends prestige with warmth — a rare combination that continues to make it one of the most celebrated hotels in the Alps.

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Hotel Splendide Royal, Lugano

Lakeside sunsets, silk curtains, and the soft glow of antique glass — at Hotel Splendide Royal in Lugano, elegance isn’t an idea, it’s a way of being. Since 1887, this noble address has welcomed travellers seeking refinement with soul. Its grand façade and classical interiors recall a more gracious era, while the service remains impeccably personal. Whether dining under frescoed ceilings at Michelin-starred I Due Sud or simply watching the light shift over the lake, guests here are invited to slow down — beautifully.

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Grandhotel Giessbach, Brienz

High above Lake Brienz, surrounded by forest and alpine meadows, the Grandhotel Giessbach rises like a fairytale castle. Built in 1875 by architect Horace Edouard Davinet, it embodies the spirit of the Belle Époque. Guests arrive by boat and ascend to the house on Switzerland’s oldest funicular railway — passing thundering waterfalls along the way. Original salons, furnishings, and views still inspire wonder today. Saved from demolition in 1983 by environmentalist Franz Weber, the hotel was honoured as Historic Hotel of the Year in 2004 — a place where architecture, nature, and commitment exist in perfect harmony.

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Gd Hôtel Bella-Tola, St‑Luc

Velvet sofas, a crackling fireplace, ceiling frescoes by Raphaël Ritz — at Grand Hôtel Bella-Tola, every corner holds a piece of Alpine heritage. Since 1859, this 32-room gem has welcomed travellers with carved wooden balconies, embroidered linen, and panoramic views of the Valaisan peaks. Guests enjoy trout and apricot tart in the wood-panelled salon, browse vintage ski posters in the library, or unwind in the l’Ô des Cimes spa with its heated pool and hammam. A haven of sunlight and history in the Valais village of St‑Luc.

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Schweizerhof Flims, Romantik Hotel & SPA, Flims Waldhaus

Under a rose-hued turret and coffered ceilings, Schweizerhof Flims evokes the quiet glamour of the Belle Époque. Guests relax in the wood-panelled dining room, the sunlit Jugendstil veranda, or the elegant reading salon once visited by Einstein and Empress Zita. Run by the fourth generation of its founding family, the hotel combines historic architecture with warm, personal service. With 48 rooms, a spa overlooking the forest, and stories echoing through every floorboard, it’s a gentle escape in the village of Flims Waldhaus, high in the canton of Graubünden.

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Berghotel Schatzalp, Davos

A climb aboard the funicular ushers you into a nearly untouched Art Nouveau jewel. Built in 1900 as a cutting-edge tuberculosis sanatorium by architects Pfleghard & Haefeli, Schatzalp is celebrated for its original Jugendstil lounges, historic bathrooms, and vintage vertical lift that still operates today. Immortalized in Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain, its quiet halls and panoramic terraces inspired literary legends. Since 1953, the building has functioned as a hotel while preserving its soul — from stained-glass windows to Belle Époque dining rooms and the “Snow Beach” terrace. Nestled 300 meters above Davos at 1,861 m, it offers solitude, history, and alpine panoramas, accessible via its private funicular in just four minutes.

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Jugendstil-Hotel Paxmontana, Flüeli-Ranft

A whisper from the Belle Époque fills every foyer: ceiling stucco, terrazzo floors, and the grand veranda that runs nearly the full length of the façade. Originally opened in 1896 as Kurhaus Nünalphorn by local tourism pioneer Franz Hess-Michel, the hotel soon rose to new heights with Art Nouveau towers and two extra storeys added in the early 1900s. Carefully restored between 1999 and 2011, the Paxmontana blends original charm — historic furnishings, ornate ceilings, and long-forgotten design schemes — with thoughtful modern upgrades. Awarded by ICOMOS for sensitive preservation and named Historic Hotel of the Year in 2014, it now offers 83 rooms, gentle hospitality, and a peaceful hilltop retreat in Flüeli‑Ranft, at the geographic heart of Switzerland.

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Kurhaus Bergün, Bergün

Time lingers gently at Kurhaus Bergün, where 1906 elegance lives on in pale-blue ballrooms, etched glass panels, and Jugendstil murals glowing under soft lamplight. Built by Zürich architect Jost-Franz Huwyler-Boller, the hotel offered central heating, electric lights, and an elevator — all pioneering luxuries for its time. After decades of quiet neglect, it was rescued and revived by a circle of loyal guests, restoring its spirit with care. Today, Kurhaus blends authentic rooms and apartments with alpine cuisine, a vintage cinema, and the kind of communal warmth that only grows through shared history. Set at 1,350 m in the village of Bergün, it’s a heritage treasure, quietly thriving.

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Grand Hôtel des Rasses & Wellness, Les Rasses

A curved staircase, sun-filled lounges, and Alpine light pouring through tall windows — Grand Hôtel des Rasses captures the quiet dignity of 1898 resort living. Its 44 rooms and junior suites preserve period charm with subtle modern touches, while the Belle Époque dining room and vaulted bistro offer local cuisine in elegant surroundings. The panoramic terrace invites unhurried afternoons overlooking a sweep of peaks from Mont Blanc to Pilatus, or guests can unwind in the wellness area with indoor pool and hammam. At 1,200 m in Sainte-Croix Les Rasses, the hotel offers space, calm, and long horizons.

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Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus, Arolla, Evolène

A retreat of gentle grandeur since 1896, the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus is cocooned amid an ancient Swiss stone pine forest at 2,100 m. The building’s elegant façade hints at its soulful interiors, where authentic Belle Époque décor meets modern warmth, and the traditions of four generations of the same family are still visible in every detail. Many of its 65 rooms look out to soaring peaks, while guests can unwind in refined lounges, explore rotating historical exhibitions — or follow in the footsteps of Joséphine Baker, who performed here in 1968. A beloved cultural landmark, it lies peacefully in the hamlet of Arolla, high above the Val d’Hérens.

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Swiss Historic Hotels and Lodgings