Living in a relatively central part of Switzerland, we often only go on day trips, as most destinations are just around the corner. Occasionally, however, we decide to explore the more remote parts of the country from where it wouldn’t be worth returning home in the evening. Thanks to the blog and great collaborations, my family and I have tried out various enjoyable and friendly accommodations all over Switzerland. And I must say that we discovered some nice places that I would gladly and in good conscience recommend. In this article, you will find 10 tips for family-friendly accommodation in different parts of Switzerland. Get inspired, and maybe you, too, will plan a family trip that you will remember for a long time.
1. Riviera Melide
Hotel Riviera in Melide is a cozy, 3-star hotel located on the shores of Lago di Lugano. Each floor is decorated in different styles (Mediterranean, Asian, modern, and nautical). We stayed on the top floor, which was decorated in a nautical style. A pleasant walk along the waterfront will take you to the famous Swissminiatur park where you can admire more than 120 handmade 1:25 scale models of the most important buildings, monuments, and forms of transport in Switzerland.
2. Marina Walensee
During our weekend at Lake Walensee, we stayed at the Hotel Marina Walensee. The hotel’s location is amazing as it is close to many mountain resorts, including, for example, Flumserberg.
3. rocksresort Laax
As a member of the Design Hotels™, the rocksresort impresses you, especially with its timeless architecture of cubic buildings made of Welser quartzite. The distinctive angular shapes of the buildings are also adopted in the suites, which beautifully complement the clean exterior lines of the resort. Despite the minimalist architecture of the buildings, the hotel has a delightful and cozy feel. Rockresort is a little village unto itself. You will find everything you need on the resort, including several restaurants with various culinary offerings, a bakery, and a small grocery store.
4. Hotel Garni Muralto
For our long weekend in the Ascona-Locarno region, we chose Hotel Garni Muralto***, one of the best-rated mid-range hotels in the area. The hotel has an excellent location, just a 5-minute walk from Locarno train station, the Stazione, and the city center. The rooms with balconies have a beautiful view of Lago di Maggiore.
Would you like to go to the Ascona-Locarno area for a few days but are still wondering how to plan your time?
I’ve prepared a detailed itinerary just for you, so you can get on the road right away, not forgetting anything important, not missing any important and interesting places in the area, plus getting personalized tips on accommodation, restaurants, and the best experiences.
5. REKA Feriendorf Lugano-Albonago
Reka opened its first holiday village in Lugano-Albonago in 1964. At that time, Albonago was a small village on the slopes of the largely undeveloped Monte Brè. In 2022, seven apartment buildings with 49 apartments and two hotel rooms, an osteria/pizzeria, panoramic pool, spa, bike station, barbecue grills, and playgrounds were opened after a two-year renovation. Thanks to this renovation, the resort has been awarded four stars by HotellerieSuisse. The modern-designed apartments are spacious and light and have everything a family with children needs (including travel cots, potties, children’s dining chairs, fully equipped kitchens, etc.). You can also bring your four-legged pet.
6. Bogentrakt Hostel Chur
In Chur, you will find some truly unique accommodation: the Bogentrakt Hostel, which has been built on the site of the former strictest prison in Switzerland, which operated here until 2020. The former prison cells have been tastefully converted into simple and minimalist rooms. The hostel has retained several elements from the building’s former use, such as the bars in the windows or corridors. Also very “funny” are the original doors to the cells, now rooms. The hostel has a well-equipped communal kitchen, a community room with a library and various board games in the tower, and a coworking space one floor down.
7. JUFA Hotel Malbun
I know, I know, I can hear you saying that Malbun is in Lichtenstein, not Switzerland. But we enjoyed this hotel very much, and it would be a shame if I didn’t mention it. Because the JUFA Hotel is family-friendly and Malbun is a paradise for families. In winter, the big advantage of the hotel is that it is right at the foot of the slopes. And you will find a playground both inside and outside. It also has a wellness area with a sauna (children have access in the afternoon, adults in the evening). And in summer, it’s a great starting point for hiking in the area.
8. Peaks Places Apartment-Hotel Laax
As the name suggests, Peaks Place is an apartment hotel, so you book a whole apartment here, not a hotel room. Peaks Place is ideal for 2-8 people looking for the privacy of a ‘self-contained’ holiday apartment combined with hotel services and a spa. Depending on family size and space requirements, you can choose between 1.5k – 4.5k apartments. Laax in the canton of Graubünden, where the hotel is located, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons, from hiking and cycling to skiing.
9. Hotel Alpenblick Leukerbad
The undeniable advantage of this picturesque Alpine-style hotel (geraniums included) is its proximity to the thermal baths. As part of your accommodation package at Hotel Alpenblick, you get free access to the Leukerbad Therme, including a sauna and steam bath, and you don’t have to worry about going out in your hotel bathrobe. Along with free access to the spa, your stay includes free access to the GemmiBahn cable car and the Leukerbad Card Plus, which gives you free use of the local Ringjet bus and other bus routes. In addition, you can enjoy a wide range of sports activities at the local sports center (including tennis, squash, badminton, mini golf, table tennis, or ice skating) and, in winter, access to the Erli Snowpark.
10. Depot 195 Winterthur
If you’re looking for clean, simple and friendly accommodation in Winterthur, this hostel is a great way to avoid the usual hotel environment. The charm of the hostel comes from the town itself and its industrial roots – the hostel takes its name from the former joinery workshop on the Stadler premises, which was number 195. There, oversized crates were made so that huge ship engines could be packed into them. The hostel is housed in a beautiful historic building, just a 10-minute walk from the train station. The kitchen is spacious, very clean, well organized and equipped with everything you could possibly need. It offers accommodation in ladies’ and gents’ dormitories but also in family rooms.
Do you have any tips for interesting, family-friendly accommodation in Switzerland? Please share them!
