SWITZERLAND MAY BE SMALL, but it’s mighty scenic. Regardless of the time of year you visit or the region you choose to explore, there are jaw-dropping views to admire, like snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, lush green pastures, and chalet villages. You can enjoy those views from the country’s rail network, by driving or hiking to charming villages, but we recommend you take in those stunning landscapes by waking up to them. From five-star luxury hotels, to gondola-turned-tiny-house, here are 11 of the best places to stay for great views while in Switzerland.
1. Observatory by Randolins, St Moritz
Perched 6561 feet above St Moritz, Observatory by Randolins is a former observatory-turned that has been converted into a unique hotel room that has one of the most expansive night sky views you can wish for. The room features a closed dome with a small window that can be opened for uninterrupted star gazing. The room itself comes with a cozy double bed and a private bathroom down the hall.
2. 22 Summits Hotel, Zermatt
22 Summits is a four-star, family-run boutique hotel in Zermatt. Combining classic alpine chalet design with luxurious modern amenities, it is full of laid-back charm. And with vistas from every room of the surrounding peaks, including the mighty Matterhorn, you are guaranteed some of the most iconic Switzerland views. And the outdoor hot tub is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
3. Hotel Kirchbühl, Grindelwald
The storybook village of Grindelwald, set at the foot of the north face of the Eiger, is a picture-postcard destination that screams Swissness. The elegant Hotel Kirchbühl offers double rooms and suites with magnificent mountain views over the village church to the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage site.
4. Comfortable apartment in a unique location, Lake Lucerne
Just five minutes from Bunnen, this apartment is located in a renovated Swiss chalet-style home. Its position on a rock terrace directly above Lake Lucerne delivers one of the most famous of Switzerland views — that of Lake Lucerne. The apartment has two double beds, a full kitchen, and an open-plan living room that opens up onto the deck.
5. An Airbnb with a view, Graubünden
If you dream of getting away from it all, this holiday home in the mountain village of Cumbel is the most scenic place to escape to. This stylish two-bedroom home has a cozy wood interior with a modern kitchen and picture windows affording a crazy vista over the Signina alps. It’s a great base for outdoors enthusiasts, no matter the season — you’re in the heart of the mountains.
6. Crans-Montana, Valais
Even hostels come with stunning views in Switzerland. Bella Lui hostel, which means “beautiful light” in the old Valais dialect, is located in the Valais Alps in the south of the country, and is a hostel worth checking out. With three large sun terraces, and expansive windows, you’ll be captivated by the alpine panorama, and many never want to leave. If you do, there’s no shortage of biking, hiking, skiing, and water sports on offer. The hostel has six-bed, four-bed, and double rooms.
7. Hotel Alex Lake Zurich, Zurich
While there are beautiful water views to admire from just about every corner of this hotel, the best vista at Alex Lake Zürich might just be from the restaurant. Since reopening in 2019, this exclusive five-star superior hotel sits pretty on the shores of Lake Zurich. Studio apartments offer full kitchens and lake views that are ideal for independent short stays and longer trips. Don’t miss dinner at the on-site restaurant The Boat House, which is famous for its bouillabaisse and tuna saku, and from where the views will leave you weak in the knees. Jump aboard the hotel boat to get to Zurich city centre in style.
8. Hotel Staubach, Lauterbrunnen
Lord of the Rings fans will love waking up to the views that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien. The scenery in Lauterbrunnen Valley is dramatic, with steep cliffs rising on either side of the beautiful little town below. Over 72 waterfalls drop from the cliff on a magical background of snowy peaks, and Hotel Staubbach — named after the highest of the falls — is one of the best places to admire the dramatic landscapes. From your room, listen to the sounds of cowbells ringing from the alpine pastures, and keep your eyes peeled for paragliders floating above the magnificent landscape.
9. Hotel De Gruyeres, Gruyeres
No list of the best Switzerland views would be complete without mentioning the Gruyères canton, famous for producing the cheese that makes up the national dish: Fondue. Wake up to the sounds, sights, and smells of the Swiss countryside air at Hotel de Gruyerès. The hotel sits at the gates of the medieval Gruyères Castle at the foothills of Mount Moléson. The best place to take in this iconic view is from the hotel terrace, where you can enjoy fondue with the sound of cowbells in the distance and watch the local herd of deer graze peacefully.
10. Hotel Beau Rivage, Geneva
The 19th-century Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva guarantees a mind-blowing vista from every room. In the heart of Geneva, this five-star hotel mixes world charm and contemporary chic. Lake view rooms look over the 450-foot high Jet d’Eau fountain, but park or city-view rooms are just as exceptional. Learn something new by taking a cooking class with a Michelin-starred chef in the hotel kitchen. Cocktail classes and pastry cooking classes are also on offer.
11. Tiny House Gondel, Brunni
For a truly Swiss experience, spend the night in a repurposed cable car. Installed on a rock needle in the Brunni area, just south of Lucerne, a night at Tiny House Gondel will be an unforgettable experience. Stargaze as you fall asleep, and as the sun rises in the morning, a 360-degree mountain panorama will come to life before your eyes. And don’t worry, the gondola is heated!