Checking In | Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
I checked in to Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, a historic five-star hotel in the heart of Switzerland’s capital where traditional Swiss hospitality, contemporary dining, the city’s only hotel spa, and 150,000 rooftop honeybees come together.
Bern has a quieter kind of magnetism than many European capitals. Its appeal reveals itself gradually through medieval streets, covered arcades, centuries-old fountains, and the sweep of the Aare River around its historic center.
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa occupies a particularly convenient position within that landscape. Located on Bahnhofplatz, directly near Bern’s main railway station and within walking distance of the Old Town, the hotel places guests at the intersection of the city’s history, culture, and contemporary life.
The property combines the presence of a traditional grand hotel with the intimacy of a modern boutique property. Its 99 rooms and suites are complemented by a historic brasserie, a lobby lounge bar, a rooftop terrace, an expansive spa, and event spaces on the Bel Etage.
There is also an unexpected detail hidden above the city: three rooftop beehives housing approximately 150,000 bees.
Together, these elements create a hotel that feels unmistakably connected to Bern while offering enough experiences to become a destination in its own right.
The Stay
My visit to Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa began with an afternoon arrival, followed by a tour of the property and a welcome aperitif with members of the hotel’s marketing team.
That introduction immediately clarified what makes the hotel distinctive. Although the Schweizerhof has the history and presence of a traditional Swiss luxury property, its atmosphere does not feel overly formal or disconnected from contemporary travel.
The 99 rooms and suites give the hotel a manageable scale, while the range of amenities offers the variety expected of a larger five-star property.
Accommodations are designed to balance comfort, individuality, and understated sophistication. The overall experience is less about presenting a uniform version of luxury and more about creating a place to settle in after time spent exploring the city.
Some of the hotel’s larger accommodations offer additional living areas and expanded views across Bern. Its top-floor Signature Suite, for example, includes a separate living and dining area, a kitchenette, and a freestanding bathtub. Across select room categories, amenities include Balmain bath products, Nespresso coffee, TWG tea, and access to the hotel’s spa and fitness facilities.
The hotel’s central location is particularly valuable for travelers arriving by train. Instead of requiring a lengthy transfer, the Schweizerhof makes it possible to move almost immediately from the railway station to the hotel and then into Bern’s historic center.
That convenience became especially apparent during my stay. A guided city tour, two distinct dining experiences, and an afternoon at the spa all fit comfortably within a two-night visit without making the itinerary feel rushed.
Breakfast was available each morning at Jack’s Brasserie or in the privacy of a guest room.
My Favorite 90 Seconds
My favorite ninety seconds came after my Winter Wellness treatment.
I had spent the earlier part of the day exploring Bern, moving through its historic streets and taking in the city’s winter atmosphere. Returning to the hotel and stepping into the spa created an immediate shift.
For those first quiet moments afterward, the schedule disappeared. There was no next landmark to reach, no restaurant reservation to consider, and no reason to hurry back outside.
It was simply the contrast between a busy city center above and the calm of the wellness space below.
The experience captured what Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa does particularly well. It places guests in the middle of the capital while still making room for genuine stillness.
The Moments That Make It
Jack’s Brasserie is one of the hotel’s strongest connections to Bern’s history.
Named for founder Jack Gauer, the restaurant has been welcoming guests since 1911. Its identity is rooted in classic European brasserie cuisine, with a menu that brings together traditional dishes, regional ingredients, and seasonal additions.
During my first evening, I enjoyed a three-course à la carte dinner that introduced the restaurant’s balance of established favorites and winter specialties.
The brasserie is particularly known for its Wiener schnitzel and Chateaubriand. Its longstanding reputation has also earned it 14 GaultMillau points, reinforcing its status as more than simply a convenient place for hotel guests to dine.
Details such as seats engraved with the names of distinguished past guests further reflect the restaurant’s place in the city’s social and culinary history.
Breakfast at Jack’s offers a different perspective on the same space. What feels established and atmospheric in the evening becomes an inviting setting for a slower start before heading into Bern.
The Lobby Lounge Bar introduces another side of the hotel.
During my January visit, the lounge featured Kyōyū, a Japanese and Latin American dining concept centered on sushi and internationally influenced dishes.
A three-course dinner there offered a distinct contrast to the previous evening at Jack’s. Where the brasserie reflects the property’s heritage, the lounge demonstrated its willingness to introduce more contemporary culinary ideas.
The space also serves as a gathering point for both hotel guests and Bern residents. Its more relaxed atmosphere makes it equally suited to an afternoon coffee, evening cocktail, or informal meal.
The spa represents another defining part of the Schweizerhof experience. At approximately 500 square meters, it offers a substantial wellness space for a centrally located city hotel. The property describes it as Bern’s only hotel spa, a distinction that makes the experience particularly appealing for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with time dedicated to rest.
Facilities include a vitality pool, sauna, steam bath, and a relaxation room with waterbeds. The hotel also provides a fitness area for guests who prefer to maintain their routines while traveling.
My afternoon included a Winter Wellness treatment followed by time to experience the spa’s thermal facilities. After a morning city tour, the progression from sightseeing to wellness felt especially natural.
Above the hotel, the Sky Terrace offers an entirely different view of the city.
Open when weather permits, the rooftop looks across Bern’s Old Town, the Federal Palace, and, in clear conditions, the Swiss Alps. The terrace becomes particularly appealing in warmer months, when cocktails, outdoor dining, and panoramic views make it a natural place to spend the late afternoon or evening.
The hotel specifically highlights views toward the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, giving guests a perspective that extends well beyond the surrounding rooftops.
The rooftop is also home to one of the property’s most memorable initiatives. Three beehives support approximately 150,000 bees, contributing to local biodiversity while producing honey that appears throughout the guest experience. According to the hotel, the bees yield approximately 85 kilograms of honey each year.
That honey is served at breakfast and incorporated into selected fascia massages in the spa.
The connection between the rooftop, the dining room, and the wellness facilities gives the initiative a level of relevance that extends beyond a general sustainability statement. Guests can encounter the results directly, whether at the breakfast table or through a treatment.
The hotel’s environmental efforts also include Green Globe certification, participation in Switzerland’s Swisstainable program, regional sourcing, and a partnership with the myclimate Foundation.
Another part of the property that deserves mention is the Bel Etage, where a collection of event and meeting spaces includes the Salon Trianon.
These rooms allow the Schweizerhof to accommodate everything from private celebrations to larger banquets, reinforcing its role as both a hotel and an established gathering place within Bern.
Who This Hotel Is Actually For
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is best suited to travelers who want a central luxury hotel with a genuine connection to its destination.
It is an especially strong choice for couples, wellness-focused travelers, culinary travelers, and visitors arriving by train who want to maximize a short stay in Bern without spending unnecessary time in transit.
The hotel also works well for travelers who appreciate the contrast between traditional and contemporary experiences. A historic brasserie, a more globally influenced lounge, a rooftop terrace, and a full spa all provide different ways to experience the same property.
Guests interested in sustainability will find more substance here than a generic environmental message. The rooftop beehives, annual honey harvest, regional sourcing, and visible connection between the honey and the guest experience make the hotel’s efforts feel tangible.
For those planning a romantic getaway, the spa and rooftop terrace add another layer to what might otherwise be a conventional city-center stay.
Business travelers and event planners may also appreciate the railway station access and the Bel Etage meeting spaces, including the Salon Trianon.
The hotel’s real strength, however, is its ability to make Bern feel both accessible and unhurried.
You can step directly into the movement of the capital, then return to a place where the most memorable part of your day might be a quiet spa treatment or a spoonful of honey produced just above the rooftops.
Practical Stay Notes
Visited: mid-winter (late January)
Length of stay: Two nights
Room: Boutique Junior Suite
View: Central Bern, with panoramic city and Alpine views available from the seasonal Sky Terrace
Purpose: Visit to the historic city of Bern, as part of a wider trip through Switzerland
Nearby Points of Interest
Bern Railway Station: Directly beside the hotel, providing convenient connections throughout Switzerland and making the Schweizerhof particularly practical for travelers arriving by train.
Bern Old Town: The city’s UNESCO-listed historic center is within walking distance and is known for its medieval layout, covered arcades, historic fountains, and sandstone architecture.
Federal Palace of Switzerland: A short walk from the hotel and one of Bern’s most recognizable landmarks, with views across the city and toward the surrounding landscape.
Zytglogge: Bern’s historic clock tower is easily reached on foot and serves as a natural starting point for exploring the Old Town.
Kramgasse: One of Bern’s best-known historic streets, lined with arcades, shops, cafés, and centuries-old buildings.
Bern Cathedral: Located within the Old Town, the cathedral offers another perspective on the city’s architectural and religious history.
Aare River: The river curves around Bern’s historic center and provides scenic walking routes and distinctive views of the city.
BearPark: Situated near the river, the park introduces visitors to one of Bern’s most enduring symbols.
Rosengarten: Reached with a longer walk or a short ride, the Rose Garden is known for its elevated views across the Old Town and the curve of the Aare.
