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Where to stay

Swiss standards are high so do not be concerned that low-rated establishments will be unacceptable. The top-end hotels in Switzerland are fabulous, probably as good as any in the world, but budget accommodation is tremendous value - particularly the excellent hostels, much beloved by native Swiss. In addition, many top-end hotels do open up their amenities at a charge to non-residents, e.g. childcare and spas.

With a long-established tourist infrastructure, most resorts are traditional communities. There are plenty of car-free resorts and hotels with ski-in, ski-out facilities, but it is not the norm, and nightlife is invariably restricted in those locations. The Swiss also tend to book out the best hotels at peak periods as much a a year in advance, so if you have set your heart on a particular place to stay book well in advance, or visit before Christmas or in January when most places have something available last minute. Before Christmas many places also do some great deals.

A good choice for competitively priced accomodation is to stay outside the main resort areas. Not only can you save money, but it can also give you the option to visit more than one resort. With trains and reliable, timetabled buses, getting to the slopes is stress-free.

CLICK HERE to display or hide the table of personally recommended hotels, sortable by key criteria.

Additionaly, for independent travellers, some useful resources on places to stay are here:

• MySwitzerland
• Swiss Youth Hostels
• Swiss Backpackers
• Interhome Self-catering
• B&B
• Swiss Mountain Huts

The following UK-based travel agencies provide accommodation only services to Switzerland:

• Inghams
• Ski Direct
• Swiss Travel Service from Neilson (Swiss Travel Service from Neilson

There are many specialist chalet companies operating in Switzerland, to name but a few:

• Ski Verbier
• Zermatt Chalets
• Chalet Finder
• Swiss Chalets

I have stayed at dozens of establishments in Switzerland and I've never drawn a dud. Generally I stay in budget accommodation, but occasionally I visit places with a touch of luxury. However I can't pretend to be an expert on every hotel in Switzerland. Fortunately, however, the influential Zurich newspaper, Tages-Anzeiger, ranks the best Winter hotels in Switzerland every year (see here). Sadly their choice is restricted to 3* and above establishments, and I haven't stayed in many of them - but I know that their staff reporters have - lucky them - and this is the latest ranking. First are the Three Star hotels:

1. Waldhaus am See, St Moritz (310 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 836 60 00
2. Bodmi, Grindelwald (294 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 853 12 20
3. Romantik Hotel Schönegg, Wengen (360 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 855 34 22
4. Krone, La Punt (260 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 854 12 69
5. Jungfrau, Wengernalp (420 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 855 16 22
6. Misani, Celerina (230 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 839 89 89
7. Hotel Kernen, Schönried-Gstaad (300 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 748 40 20
8. Sporthotel, Pontresina (260 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 838 94 00
9. Chesa Grischuna, Klosters (430 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 422 22 22
10. Hohnegg Alpine Resort, Saas-Fee (340 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 958 10 70
11. Parkhotel Schönegg, Grindelwald (340 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 854 18 18
12. Elenwäldli, Engelberg (280 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 041 637 19 49
13. Bella Vista, Zermatt (235 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 28 10
14. Des Alpes, Samnaun Dorf (330 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 868 52 73
15. Alpine Lodge, Saanen-Gstaad (380 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 748 41 51

Here are the best Four Star hotels:

1. Wellnesshotel Pirmin Zurbriggen, Saas-Almagell (290 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 957 23 01
2. Guarda Val, Lenzerheide-Sporz (470 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 385 85 85
3. Le Grand Chalet, Gstaad (450 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 748 76 76
4. Castell, Zuoz (310 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 851 52 53
5. Waldhotel National, Arosa (520 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 378 55 55
6. Romantik-Hotel Schweizerhof, Grindelwald (460 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 854 58 58
7. Guardaval, Scuol (310 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 861 09 09
8. Alex, Zermatt (500 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 70 70
9. Wellnesshotel Chasa Montana, Samnaun (260 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 861 90 00
10. Parkhotel Bellevue & Spa, Adelboden (460 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 673 80 00
11. Mirabeau Alpine Residence, Zermatt (574 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 26 60
12. Vereina, Klosters (470 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 410 27 27
13. Alpenhof, Zermatt (596 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 55 55
14. Cervo, Zermatt (390 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 968 12 12
15. Walther, Pontresina (510 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 839 36 36

And finally the creme de creme, the Five Star offerings:

1. Badrutt’s Palace, St Moritz (895 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 837 10 00
2. Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Arosa (665 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 378 99 99
3. Gstaad Palace, Gstaad (1020 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 748 50 00
4. Kulm, St Moritz (935 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 836 80 00
5. The Carlton, St Moritz (1400 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 836 70 00
6. Riffelalp Resort, Zermatt (1060 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 05 55
7. Kronenhof, Pontresina (590 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 830 30 30
8. Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad (650 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 748 00 00
9. Suvretta House, St Moritz (835 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 836 36 36
10. Waldhaus Flims, Mountain Resort & Spa, Flims Waldhaus (715 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 928 48 48
11. Le Crans Hotel & Spa, Crans-Montana (800 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 486 60 60
12. Lenkerhof Alpine Resort, Lenk (710 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 033 736 36 36
13. Kempinski Grand Hotel, St Moritz (710 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 081 838 38 38
14. Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt (870 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 966 88 88
15. Ferienart Resort & Spa, Saas-Fee (626 SFr Dbl/Night) - Tel. 027 958 19 00

Of course there are more than 45 outstanding hotels in Switzerland, but it's a good list even if eye-wateringly pricey. On individual resort pages I list other hotels and places to stay that either I or someone I know has rated highly, especially if they have particular charm or elegance, provide good value for money, are family-friendly, have a thermal spa or are spectacularly convenient for the slopes.

Finally, my top tip on value for money: Look at the Aldi Holiday website. We have generally found the prices can be as little as a half or even less of what the same hotels are priced elsewhere, and you are not always locked into a full week booking.