The top 10 Switzerland hotels

Set in the glorious surrounds of the Grison Alps, Tschuggen Grand Hotel is your one-stop destination for some well-deserved escapism. And since you’ll be staying at one the best spa hotels not just in Switzerland, but also in the world, you’re free to indulge your way. Your first stop? Bergoase Spa – it’s 5,000 square metres of pure bliss: private spa suites, saunas, steam baths, treatment rooms and a water world, all seriously stylish thanks to architect Mario Botta’s design. That commitment to style also resonates across the whole of Tschuggen Grand Hotel, where everything feels like it’s been designed to please the eyes, as well as the soul. Let the pampering extend to your tastebuds with an award-winning dining experience at La Brezza – we heard through the grapevine that their menu changes every day so you know it’s good grub.  For afters, head to the Tschuggen Bar, serving perfectly mixed cocktails and other fine drinks, which we recommend sipping while next to the roaring log fire – the ideal method of warming up after a day spent exploring that magnificent mountain scenery you’re in the middle of.

Time Out tip: Our take? It'd be criminal to pass up an opportunity to get your 40 winks here. 

One of Zurich’s fanciest city hotels, the Baur au Lac enjoys a surprisingly leafy and tranquil location bordering landscaped gardens not far from the lake and the city centre. Dating from 1844, this may be a traditional place at heart but it’s far from stuffy. Of the two restaurants, the Michelin-starred Pavillon restaurant is the more conventional, serving up fresh takes on classic European dishes in a conservatory-style building with a lovely outdoor terrace. Or head to the funkier Rive Gauche, whose Mediterranean menu and classy cocktails draw punters from beyond the hotel. You can work off your night-time excesses with a session in the rooftop gym overlooking the lake.

Props to interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon for the refined and elegant French-inspired design of this place - it's pretty swanky. Set in a historic building dating back to 1834, Four Seasons sits right at the mouth of the lake, so expect pretty waterfront views. Gawk at the views in between mouthfuls of delicious pasta served at the on-site Italian restaurant Lagos, find your zen at the infinity-edge pool or make use of the 24-hour gym.

Boasting stunning views over Zurich, and 175 rooms and suites, The Dolder Grand is an easy-A for those who want to be close to the centre but not too close. One might even call it the sweet spot since its central but secluded woodland location only adds to the appeal, well, that and its eye for high design, the modern art collection, Dolder Grand Spa and exquisite dining options. On top of this, the hotel has hosted celebrities like Sophia Loren, Albert Einstein and the Rolling Stones - we don't know about you, we think but sleeping in the same room as Einstein once stayed in would be a pretty cool flex. 

Set on the shore of Lake Geneva, Hotel D’Angleterre offers guests a rather ritzy affair indeed with panoramic lake views and posh rooms. The VIP treatment begins on arrival with a complimentary glass of bubbly, some homemade chocolates and a selection of fresh fruits to nibble on - if there's one thing you should know about Swiss hospitality, it's extraordinary. Pair that with luxurious rooms inspired by British elegance, and you're on to a winner. Guests can unwind in a number of ways: down at the cigar lounge, by the window tucking into a feast, a private yoga lesson or even and in-room spa treatment. In a nutshell, you're in for some real pampering.

If we were you, we’d take a load off with afternoons spent canopied under the parasols of the sun loungers, looking out over the mountains at the La Reserve Genè tel & Spa. The views from here are exquisite as it is the overall vibe of this place: the guest rooms are warmly decorated, sporting modern, classic interiors in colours of rust - very cosy. When you're in want of some proper R&R, there's the spa featuring a hammam, saunas, steam baths, treatment rooms and a fitness centre. Or if you prefer, you can get some laps in at either the indoor or outdoor pool. When it comes to dining options, you're invited to step into three separate universes: a jungle-inspired gourmet experience, an oriental-style restaurant serving Chinese cuisine and a light-filled laid-back spa restaurant. 

Time Out tip: While The hotel isn’t in the centre of Geneva, instead of city life you get a leafy setting, uninterrupted lake views and a quicker exit to the towns and villages dotted around the lake.

This elegant five star hotel prides itself equally on its venerable history and its impressive location in the old town. While other luxury hotels woo guests by embracing the latest interiors trends, the Bellevue Palace is wedded to old-world glamour. The period furniture and the on-your-best-behaviour vibe might not suit you if you thirst for the new, but there's nothing stuffy about the service and the rooms are exceptionally comfortable. The flagship restaurant La Terrasse feels like a special occasion-only venue, with its heavy table cloths and impeccable silver, but the bar is a popular nook for an after-work drink, suggesting that the locals have found something to love here. Other amenities include a rooftop sun terrace and a gym, while leisure guests would do well to take advantage of access to the enormous spa at the Bellevue's sister hotel, the Victoria Jungfrau, a day trip away in Interlaken.

Centrally located in Bern, the long-established Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA offers luxurious rooms that combine elegant interior design with cutting-edge facilities. It features a spa centre and a trendy rooftop terrace. Every room comes with a Nespresso coffee machine and includes state-of-the-art entertainment facilities. The hotel also boasts a wellness centre with a relaxation pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a fitness room. Peckish? Jack’s Brasserie offers a combination of innovative modern cuisine and traditional dishes. Guests can also enjoy a delicious cocktail at the lobby bar, the cigar lounge or on the Sky terrace.

One of Switzerland’s original Palace hotels, this sumptuous affair opened in Lausanne’s lakefront district of Ouchy in 1861 and has hosted royalty, celebrities and famous local residents ever since, from Charlie Chaplin to Nelson Mandela, Coco Chanel to Tina Turner. So it’s not your average hotel, and staying here is no average experience. In keeping with the belle époque building, rooms are classically elegant, with plush fabrics, tapestries and candelabra-style lighting. Most have jacuzzis, so you can sit back in the bubbles and admire the view over the grounds and lake. The ultra-posh Cinq Mondes spa has indoor and outdoor pools, hammam, sauna and a refreshing ‘tropical rain promenade’. There are myriad bars and restaurants to choose from, but the most famous is the one that takes the name of its creator, three Michelin-starred French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, whose menus focus on seasonal, local produce. Thankfully you won’t be short on wine – the cellar here holds 75,000 bottles.  

Elegantly perched on the bank of the Rhine, this magnificent 5 star hotel retains much of its original character without being stuffy. At first glance, the imposing entrance lobby and sparkling chandeliers may seem intimidating but the friendly staff and the building’s obvious quirks will quickly make you feel at home. A luxurious experience is guaranteed if you opt for one of the lavish rooms and suites, particularly if you manage to bag a Rhine view. However, you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy the hospitality: if your budget only extends to a single extravagant cocktail, the bar and lobby is a nice venue to enjoy it, either by the fireside or on the river terrace as the season dictates. Proper fine dining comes courtesy of the two Michelin stars twinkling above the door of Cheval Blanc under Chef Peter Knogl, or you can opt for elegant-casual in the Brasserie or Chez Donati. The hotel also offers interesting weekend packages, themed around art and cuisine, if you need inspiration for your holiday in Bern.