6 of the best historic hotels in Switzerland

Some of Switzerland’s best places to stay — like the turreted castle above Lake Thun, or the creaking Alpine chalet where Greta Garbo once spent the night — combine time-honoured architecture with a scenic setting. From rustic mountain inns to waterside retreats, these six historic hotels all capture the country’s timeless charm, with carved woodwork, ancient cellars and the kind of quiet grandeur that never dates. Whether you’re waking to cowbells or cathedral bells, here are six stays that invite you to slow down, look closer and briefly slip into another century.

1. Hotel & Pension Waldrand, Pochtenalp

Best for: Remote Alpine romance
High in the Kiental valley by the Pochten Falls, this timber-built hideaway offers a classic Swiss experience — all checkered tablecloths, weathered floorboards and windows onto undisturbed nature. Built in 1910 from older timber structures, Waldrand feels blissfully overlooked by the march of time. Rooms are simple and warm, with hand-painted furniture and thick duvets — shared bathrooms only add to the nostalgic charm. Dinner is served by candlelight, with hearty mountain menus and knockout views over the Bernese peaks. There’s no spa, no television, no traffic — just misty mornings, wildflower meadows and stargazing after dark. Like a Wes Anderson film set, but halfway up a mountain, this is an ideal place to unplug. Rooms from €171 (£150).

2. Boutiquehotel Sonne, Küsnacht

Best for: Lakeside literary élan
On the shores of Lake Zurich in the upscale village of Küsnacht, this elegant inn has been welcoming guests since 1641, including German man of letters Goethe, who stayed here in 1775. The rooms blend crisp modern comforts with period touches, while communal areas brim with curated antiques, oil portraits and an impressive private art collection. An 18^th-century wine cellar adds to the atmosphere, and the lakeside terrace — studded with ancient chestnut trees — is the perfect spot to enjoy lazy aperitifs and sunset dips. Paddleboards replace grand tour carriages these days, but the old-world mood lingers on. Whether you’re here for the calm or the culture, the Sonne captures a very Swiss kind of sophistication: quiet, confident and rooted in tradition. Rooms from €217 (£190).

3. Schadau Castle, Thun

Best for: Fairytale grandeur
With its picture-book towers and turrets reflected in the waters of Lake Thun, 19th-century neo-gothic Schadau Castle looks like something straight out of a romantic novel. Built in the 1840s as a private retreat for a wealthy banker, its vaulted ceilings and antique parquet floors now house a chic, nine-room boutique hotel, with a restaurant that fuses French-inflected fine dining with local produce. The mood is stately but relaxed: explore by boat or stroll through the adjacent English-style park before breakfasting under a crystal chandelier. Each suite is unique, some with lake views, others with freestanding tubs or decorative stoves. It’s a castle stay — but with Swiss understatement and outstanding coffee. From €234 (£205).

4. Landgasthof Ruedihus, Kandersteg

Best for: Rustic charm
With its carved woodwork, creaky floorboards and tiled stoves dating back to 1753, Ruedihus is a love letter to Alpine tradition. Peacefully set in the mountain village of Kandersteg, it feels thoroughly untouched by modernity — though a deft hotelier’s touch ensures it never veers into kitsch. Bedrooms are furnished with gorgeous antiques; some have canopy beds and hand-painted wardrobes. Downstairs, the restaurant serves Bernese specialities — rösti, air-dried beef — in intimate wooden parlours, still a cosy gathering place for locals. In summer, walking trails meander through wildflower meadows, while in winter, snow settles silent and thick on the shutters. For those craving a characterful base in the Bernese Oberland — one that feels more like a family home than a hotel — Ruedihus is a gem. From €268 (£235).

5. Hotel Chesa Grischuna, Klosters

Best for: Hollywood-in-the-Alps nostalgia
This arrestingly pretty 1930s chalet in the centre of Klosters has serious star power. Known as ‘Hollywood on the Rocks’ during its postwar heyday, it’s hosted the likes of Gene Kelly, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn. Today, Chesa Grischuna retains every bit of its self-assured old-school glamour, from the carved wood interiors and period lighting to its glamorous restaurant, where the fondue is as rich as the history. Rooms are bijou but elegant, with polished parquet floors and vintage writing desks — ask for one with a view of the slopes. The Grischuna Bar is the social heart of the operation, all flickering candlelight, Alpine cocktails and intriguing chatter. From €228 (£200).

6. La Couronne Hotel & Restaurant, Solothurn

Best for: A baroque city break
One of Switzerland’s oldest inns, La Couronne has long been at the heart of Solothurn’s baroque old town. During the intervening epochs it’s welcomed Napoleon’s generals, Enlightenment luminaries and curious travellers seeking solace in the town’s elegant architecture and riverside setting. Today, the hotel’s heritage lives on in curved stone staircases, sculpted cornices and suites with leaded windows overlooking the cathedral. Tasteful modern upgrades — crisp linens, spa-style bathrooms and a quietly luxurious French restaurant — ensure comfort is never sacrificed for tradition. Step outside and you’re in one of Switzerland’s prettiest towns, with boutique shops, galleries and riverside cafes just moments away. Historic charm meets city style, with enough serenity to feel like a genuine escape. From €205 (£180).

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