Switzerland Hotels Guide 2026 – Best Areas, Cities & Family-Friendly Stays

Switzerland looks small on the map, but each region has a different feeling: Zurich for arrival and city vibes, Lucerne for lakes and nearby mountains, Interlaken for the Jungfrau region, Geneva & Montreux for Lake Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland.

A classic Tripmoo-style itinerary (like the 9-day Switzerland itinerary) usually combines 2–3 bases instead of changing hotels every night. This hotels guide 2026 is designed to support that style of travel.

Below you’ll find a quick view of the main bases. Each one has its own dedicated hotel guide: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and Montreux.

These pages give you detailed hotel recommendations in each major Swiss city:

• Zurich hotels guide »
• Lucerne hotels guide »
• Interlaken family hotels »
• Geneva hotels guide »
• Montreux hotels guide »
• Swiss Travel Pass & hotels »

Zurich is often your first or last night in Switzerland because of the international airport and strong train connections. It’s ideal if you want a city feel with a lake promenade, restaurants and shopping.

Best areas to stay in Zurich

• Near Zürich HB (main station): most practical for short stays and early trains.
• Old Town (Altstadt): charming streets, cafés and easy access to the lake.
• Lake Zurich promenade: more relaxed atmosphere and views of the water.

👉 For specific hotel names by budget, see the Zurich hotels guide »

Lucerne is one of the most popular bases in Switzerland thanks to its lake, Old Town and easy mountain access (Pilatus, Rigi and more). Many families prefer to spend 2–3 nights here at the start or middle of their trip.

Best areas to stay in Lucerne

• Near the train station & lake: perfect if you’re using trains and boats every day.
• Old Town: pretty, walkable and atmospheric – great for evening strolls.
• Lakefront hotels: quieter stays with direct lake views (often higher budget).

👉 For sample hotels and family-friendly options, use the Lucerne hotels guide »

Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is the main hub for exploring the Jungfrau region: Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and more.

Best areas to stay in Interlaken

• Near Interlaken Ost station: best for early mountain trains and easy logistics.
• Near Interlaken West / town centre: closer to shops, restaurants and Hohematte park.
• Lakeside villages (Brienz, Thun): more peaceful, but you’ll commute a bit more.

👉 See the Interlaken family hotels guide » for kid-friendly options and suggested stay lengths.

The Lake Geneva region is usually at the end of a Switzerland itinerary: you can finish with city time in Geneva or a more relaxed lakeside stay in Montreux, close to Chillon Castle and the GoldenPass Line.

Best areas to stay in Geneva

• Near the lake & Jet d’Eau: classic views and easy access to boat trips.
• Near the main train station (Cornavin): practical for short stays and onward trains.
• Old Town: atmosphere and history, with more walking and some hills.

Best areas to stay in Montreux

• Lakeside promenade: most hotels are directly on or near the promenade with views.
• Close to Montreux train station: easier if you have luggage and plan day trips.

👉 Use the Geneva hotels guide » and Montreux hotels guide » to pick exact properties that fit your budget.

Prices vary by season (summer & Christmas are more expensive), city and how early you book. For 2026, a rough guide for a double room is:

• Budget / basic: around 120 – 200 CHF per night.
• Mid-range 3★–4★: around 200 – 350 CHF per night.
• High-end 4★–5★ / lake or mountain view: often 350 – 600+ CHF per night.

For a family of 4, you might use:

• One larger family room or suite.
• Two connecting rooms (more comfortable with older kids).
• A small apartment hotel with kitchen if you stay 3+ nights in the same base.

💡 In your city-specific hotel guides, you can add sample hotels for each budget level using these ranges as a reference.

• Check the maximum occupancy of each room type carefully; European rooms can be smaller than Gulf standards.
• Look for hotels that clearly mention family rooms, sofa beds or connecting doors.
• Being close to the main train station in each city saves time and energy with kids and luggage.
• Breakfast included can be good value in Switzerland, where food is generally more expensive.
• If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, staying near key train/boat stops makes it easier to use your pass every day.

👉 Combine this page with the Swiss Travel Pass guide » to show how hotel location and transport passes work together.

• For July–August and Christmas / New Year 2026, try to book hotels at least 3–6 months in advance.
• For May–June and September–October 2026, 2–4 months in advance is usually enough.
• Check cancellation policies – a free-cancellation rate can be worth paying a bit extra for.
• Consider keeping one or two nights flexible at the end of your trip in case of weather changes in the mountains.

📌 In your itinerary pages, you can link directly to this guide where you talk about how many nights to spend in each city.

This Switzerland hotels guide 2026 gives you the big picture: which cities to use as bases, what areas to target, and how much you might spend per night.

Combine it with the 9-day Switzerland itinerary, the Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and Montreux hotel guides and the Swiss Travel Pass guide to create a clear, bookable plan for your readers in 2026.