In a pretty part of town, fronted by the river and Old Town spires, this boho hotel is well run and has character in spades. Its buzzing ground-floor cafe and terrace attracts a cheery crowd and rooms are both spruce and stylish.
For many years this was Bern’s only five-star hotel and the guest list has included bigwigs from Nelson Mandela down. It’s gilded, polished, sashed and swathed, and suitably discreet. Wi-fi costs Sfr25 per 24 hours.
Cool and modern, this curved sliver of a building across the river offers excellent views from its front rooms.
Plum in a leafy residential location, this five-storey building feels like a friendly boarding house. Clean, simple rooms have lots of white and a smattering of modern art, plus there’s a kitchen. Parking costs Sfr10 per day.
Prettily set just across from the river, this well-organised hostel sports spotless dorms and a leafy terrace, plus a good-value eatery. To get there, follow the paths downhill from the parliament building or ride the funicular.
Modern bedrooms with maximum six beds, clean bathrooms, a kitchen and a sociable lounge – all in the Old Town – make this many backpackers’ first choice, although street noise might irritate light sleepers.
The latest player on the remodelled five-star circuit, the Schweizerhof boasts a lavish refurbishment and excellent amenities and service. A hop, skip and a jump from the train station, it’s geared for both business and pleasure.
You're paying for the supremely convenient location and professional service at this four-star hotel, wedged next door to the Globus department store. Rooms are clean, comfortable and everything you would expect of a Best Western chain hotel.
This very modern hotel has smart rooms with all the creature comforts, a tiny bar with unique metal and stained-glass light fixtures and a restaurant serving Swiss-German fare.
A quaint, endearing hotel, the National charms with its wrought-iron lift and Persian rugs over wooden floors. Its good honest restaurant is also appealing.
It's not hard to imagine a horse-drawn carriage pulling up outside this old-fashioned inn in the heart of the Old Town. Clearly around for a good few centuries, this apricot townhouse with green shutters and flowery window boxes is quaint indeed.
Although it has different owners and more rooms than the Bären Hotel (the Bristol has 92 rooms compared to the Bären's 57), both hotels fly the Best Western flag and slot into a generic mould.
The frail old lady with zimmer frame on Bern's hotel scene, the 'Golden Eagle' is the third in a trio of historic old inns on pretty, arcaded Justice St. The Balz family are fourth-generation hoteliers who have been in the trade for 112 years.
The best place to camp near Bern, sites are comfortable (not too rocky) and nestled by the river. It's about a half-hour walk from the centre (or take tram No 9 to Wabern).
A little out of the city centre, this 26-room jazz hotel is unique. Owned and run with passion the place packs panache. Don’t miss its cellar jazz bar.
A romantic Old Town hotel with opulent art nouveau furnishings, the Belle Epoque’s design ethos sees TVs tucked away into steamer-trunk-style cupboards so as not to spoil the look.
Going strong for 500 years, this hotel had a facelift in 2008 and boasts comfy updated rooms and an atmospheric restaurant with great sausage dishes. Splurge on the junior suite (from Sfr300) if you want the loveliest balcony in town.
