Where to Stay in Switzerland: Best Kid Friendly Hotels in Zurich, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Basel
Switzerland is a fantastic destination for a family vacation. From stunning alpine playgrounds to family friendly hikes, there are endless easy ways to experience the natural beauty in Switzerland. And don’t forget the chocolate! While Switzerland is surprisingly family friendly, like most of Europe it can be hard to find larger accommodations in the center of old town with enough space for a family. But not to worry! We’ll help you discover the best family accommodations in Switzerland, so you can make the most of your Swiss getaway with your little ones. Read on for our easy list of recommendations for where to stay in Switzerland with kids!
During peak summer season, hotels in Switzerland can book up quickly. So I would recommend booking refundable stays at least 3 months in advance.
We requested a pack and play at every accommodation when we booked. We were pleasantly surprised that not only were the pack and plays already set up for us in the room when we checked in, but they also had really cute children’s bedding and a pack and play mattress for extra comfort. (I know the safety regulations around mattresses for pack and plays, but that’s for babies who can’t move their heads and can potentially suffocate. Our toddler appreciated the extra comfort of the mattress and I think it’s why he actually slept so well in the pack and plays while we were there.)
One thing to keep in mind about hotels in Europe is that accommodations located in the old town may not have air conditioning. This is because they are housed in historic buildings. Even if they do have air conditioning, they will not cool to the frigid temps that US air conditioners do. I’m not complaining, because I think the positives of staying in the old town outweigh that negative. But I thought it was worth mentioning, since the negative reviews that I read were mostly about the lack of AC.
Booking tip: because traveling with a toddler is so unpredictable, I always look for refundable bookings. That way I can book way ahead of time for my peace of mind, but also have the flexibility to cancel without losing any money if our plans should change.
Where to Stay in Zurich
The main Zurich train station (Zurich HB station) is only a 5-10 minute walk from the old town. I would recommend staying in the old town near the train station. This is most convenient for transportation, food options, and sightseeing.
Hotels in Zurich Old Town
We stayed in the Hotel Alexander in a double room which included breakfast, in room 401. The Hotel Alexander was very conveniently located just a 5 min walk from train station. It was in the middle of the atmospheric old town and it did have air conditioning (yay!). The room was pretty spacious for European standards even with a pack and play in it. They must have some amazing soundproofing on the windows because it was perfectly quiet, even though there were restaurants all around us. We still prefer to have a kitchen when traveling with our kiddo, but this hotel room was more than adequate for a one night stay.
Situated right next to the train station, the location of the Fred Hotel can’t be beat. They have some larger suite style rooms with a separate sitting area which could be more comfortable for a family traveling with kids. The hotel is walking distance to the old town, restaurants, and markets. And they do have air conditioning after a long day of sightseeing!
The Hotel Adler is smack in the center of old town. The charming restaurants and shops of the old town are steps away outside. They have a variety of room types that could work for families, including a suite style room and a triple room. The on site Swiss Chuchi restaurant is popular for traditional Swiss cuisine.
Hotels Near Zurich Airport
If you are arriving late and don’t want to bother with hauling your luggage and toddler on a train after your flight, then I recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle or the Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle. Both of these hotels are connected to the airport and the airport train station. There are plenty of dining and shopping options in The Circle, and there is a nice outdoor green space for kiddos to run around just outside. If you plan on skipping Zurich and heading straight to Lucerne the next morning, staying here is super convenient for recuperating from the flight and catching the morning train to Lucerne.
If those hotels are not quite what you’re looking for, then check out these other highly rated hotels in the old town of Zurich!
Where to Stay in Lucerne
The old town of Lucerne (spelled Luzern in Swiss German) is just a 5-10 min walk away from the train station, across the river. When we traveled without kids, we stayed in the middle of the old town, and it was definitely romantic and atmospheric. With a toddler, we opted for convenience and stayed a block away from the train station. It was still very close to the old town, but less dragging our luggage on cobblestone paths with a toddler in tow.
If you stay in any hotel in Lucerne you will receive the Lucerne visitor card when you check in. The Lucerne visitor card gives you free use of buses and trains within the main part of Lucerne. It also provides discounts to some sights.
We stayed at the Neustadt Apartments managed by the Hotel Central Luzern in the Relax apartment, which had 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and a open concept kitchen/living room. The Hotel Central across the street runs these apartments, so you actually check in at the hotel. I loved the convenience of having a hotel front desk to help with any concerns, but the independence of staying in our own apartment with a kitchen.
The location was perfect – just one block from the train station but on a quieter side street, a 5 min walk across the iconic covered bridge to the old town, and it was kitty corner from a large park with a playground. One downside is that there was no AC in the apartment, though they did provide fans. Like most buildings in old towns, the windows don’t have screens, so keep any eye on any active climbing kids.
For a larger apartment right in the middle of the charming old town of Lucerne, book an apartment at the KoBi Apartments Hirschenplatz. All apartments have kitchens if you want to cook some meals to save on food costs. They have one, two, and three bedroom apartments so there is an option for families of all sizes. The hard part is snagging one of these popular apartments! These apartments are non-refundable, so make sure your travel plans are set before booking.
If those stays are all booked up, check out these other highly rated accommodations in the old town of Lucerne!
Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen
There are many options of alpine towns to stay in when visiting the Bernese Oberland. Interlaken is where the main train station is that connects to other parts of Switzerland. However, it is pretty touristy and doesn’t have the charm of an alpine village. Lauterbrunnen on the other hand, looks like a fairy tale.
Lauterbrunnen is nicknamed the “valley of 72 waterfalls” because it is a valley surrounded by sheer cliffs with waterfalls cascading down everywhere you look. Imagine Rivendell in real life. It takes my breath away every time I visit. Besides looks, Lauterbrunnen also has substance. It is the transportation hub for all the mountain excursions. From Lauterbrunnen you can easily visit both sides of the mountain.
To give a visual of how the area is laid out, if you imagine the letter “V,” Lauterbrunnen is the bottom of the V, and the two slanty lines are the two mountain peaks. One side of the V is the Wengen, Mannlichen, Jungfraujoch side. The other side of the V is the Murren, Allmendhubel, Schilthorn side. If you would rather stay higher up on the mountains, then Wengen and Murren have many accommodations options. However, staying in Lauterbrunnen gives you the easiest access to both sides of the mountain. If you are planning on visiting both sides, then staying in Lauterbrunnen will save you the most time in transportation.
We stayed at the Chalet Bargfee “A” holiday flat, which is an apartment in a chalet across the street from the Hotel Silberhorn. It is run by the Hotel Silberhorn (though booking is through Airbnb). It is on the upper floor of a chalet and is newly remodeled to include 1 bedroom, 1 living room with a sofa bed, kitchen and dining area, and 1.5 bathrooms.
The location is amazing – just up the hill from the train station and the cable car station. And there is an idyllic view – imagine waking up and seeing a waterfall right from your bedroom window. It was nice to have the assistance of a front desk with the independence of an apartment. Another bonus is that there is a free washer dryer available. There are people living in the unit downstairs, but the apartment still felt very private. It was very spacious and had more than enough room for our family of 3. Since it is a renovated chalet, there is no AC available.
For another renovated chalet option, consider the Chalet Bergliebe. It is a little bit further away from the main drag of Lauterbrunnen, but it has a beautiful view of the waterfall. This two bedroom apartment would be great for a family!
The recommended Chalet Bargfee is run by the elegant Hotel Silberhorn across the street. The location is great, just up the street from the train station, the cable car station, and the market. Many of the rooms have waterfall views. The rooms have a chalet feel with modern amenities. The on site restaurant is also a solid option for traditional Swiss meals in Lauterbrunnen.
The Hotel Staubbach is one of the few hotels in Lauterbrunnen that have views of the Staubbach falls right outside your window. This hotel was one of the first hotels in Lauterbrunnen, and it retains its historic charm. The rooms are basic, but there are many different room types and amazing balconies. Some of the rooms have shared bathrooms while others have private bathrooms. The staff are great and it does feel like you’re staying in a B&B.
For more charming hotel and chalet options in Lauterbrunnen, check out these other highly rated stays in Lauterbrunnen.
Where to Stay in Basel
The old town of Basel is a 6-10 min bus ride or a 15 min walk from the main train station in Basel (Basel SBB station). The two most popular areas for tourists to stay in Basel are either near the train station or in the old town.
If you stay in any hotel in Basel you will receive the Basel Card when you check in. The Basel Card gives you free travel on buses and trams within Basel and a 50% discount to many museums and the zoo in Basel. Your hotel booking confirmation can be used in lieu of the physical Basel Card when you arrive in Basel to provide free public transportation to your accommodations.
Aparthotels in the Old Town
SET Hotel.Residence by Teufelhof Basel
We stayed at the SET Hotel.Residence by Teufelhof Basel in an apartment with garden view, which had 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and an open concept kitchen/living room (the living room also had a sofa bed). The apartment was in a newly renovated building and the AC was heavenly. I read some negative reviews that the apartments had no character. However, the aesthetic is a modern apartment and they nailed that. The location was fantastic and I appreciated being close to the old town but with modern amenities.
HITrental Marktplatz Apartments
To stay right in the middle of the old town, book a room at the HITrental Marktplatz Apartments. These apartments are only a 3 minute walk to Marktplatz. There are a variety of room types for families of all sizes. The amenities are basic but the apartments are clean and modern.
Hotels Near the Train Station
If you want to stay close to the train station, the GAIA Hotel Basel is right across the street. They have a variety of different room types, including some suites.
If those stays are not quite right, check out these other highly rated stays in Basel near the old town and train station!
Now that you have booked your hotels in Switzerland, check out our full toddler friendly Switzerland itinerary to get excited about your trip! And don’t forget to bookmark our list of toddler friendly places to eat in Switzerland!
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