Grand riverside tableau
Gilded chandeliers and marble columns frame views of the Rhine, where tuxedoed staff glide between riverside terraces and the historic lobby.
“Herzog & de Meuron were tasked with designing the hotel’s expansion into an adjoining former bank...”
Where it shines
Exceptional
Three Michelin keys, evening turndown with chocolates and kiwis, and attentive riverside service.
Remarkable
Generations of Basel residents gather on the riverfront terrace for milestone celebrations.
What they say
Three Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Four-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
Also in Condé Nast Traveler, Wallpaper* and AFAR.
The interiors have none of that trendy ‘modern-design’ business. Flat-screen televisions, yes, but integrated into a décor scheme that’s utterly traditional.
“The 101-room hotel isn’t an exact restoration but rather a tribute to the sumptuousness of Belle Epoque grand hotels, with heavy wooden doors that glide shut…”
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set right above the Schifflände river landing, the hotel sits a short stroll from Old Town galleries and the Kunstmuseum Basel.
The rooms
Historic rooms feature antique furnishings and ornate stucco, while contemporary annex suites offer fluid open layouts with red-velour bedroom niches.
The spa and gym
Attic timber beams shelter Finnish saunas, a fireplace relaxation lounge, and a mirrored fitness studio with Technogym equipment.
Dogs stay too.
Restaurant
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl
Chef Peter Knogl serves three-Michelin-starred French haute cuisine beneath crystal chandeliers and on an open-air river terrace.
Operating as a hotel since 1681 (albeit with a few upgrades along the way), this Basel property occupies pride of place along the River Rhine…
At the table
The Brasserie serves Swiss classics along the riverfront, and Banks pours cocktails beneath a suspended floral art installation.
How it began
Operating as an inn on Rhine trade routes since 1681, the site hosted Napoleon Bonaparte before its grand 1844 neoclassical rebuilding.
“Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, which once hosted Napoleon, is a Belle Époque beauty perched on the banks of the Rhine…”
Good to know
Stay here
Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.