Basel
Historic and literary, but not stuffy. Timeless Swiss design — think mid-century Typenmöbel furniture rather than slick minimalism — mixed with genuine warmth. Feels like a neighbourhood institution, not a polished hotel chain.
Book a River Room with balcony — the view of the Rhine and Cathedral Hill is worth the premium
Why It Matters
One of the few continuously operating hotels in Switzerland since 1873. Named Icomos Historic Hotel of the Year 2007. Hermann Hesse wrote Steppenwolf here. Member of Swiss Historic Hotels, Gault Millau 13 points for the restaurant.
Hotel Krafft Basel has stood on the banks of the Rhine since 1873 — and it wears every one of those years well. Hermann Hesse wrote much of Steppenwolf in room 4.1 here in the mid-1920s, and the building has operated as a hotel without interruption ever since. Today it's a 4-star Swiss Historic Hotel with 48 individually furnished rooms, a French-cuisine restaurant with creaking parquet floors and Rhine views, and a riverside terrace that becomes Basel's finest outdoor seat when the weather cooperates.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Double Room City
Double room on the city side, overlooking the Rheingasse. Individually furnished with the same timeless design language as the rest of the hotel.
Double Room River
Double room facing the Rhine, without a balcony. Individually furnished with timeless design, Rhine views from the window.
Double Room River with Balcony
17–26 sqm double on the Rhine side with a private balcony overlooking the water and a view of Switzerland's oldest university on the hill opposite. Queen or twin configuration available.
Queen (160cm) or Twin (2x90cm) · 21 sqmJunior Suite River
25–40 sqm suite on the Rhine side. Large windows flood the room with morning light. Views stretch from the Pfalz terrace to Cathedral Hill and the Rhine banks. No balcony, but the size and light make up for it.
Twin (2x90cm) · 33 sqmJunior Suite River with Balcony
The top Rhine-facing suite option. Spacious junior suite with a private balcony right above the Rhine promenade — for those who want to wake up to birdsong and river sounds.
Penthouse Suite City with Balcony
37–43 sqm penthouse at the top of the building with a private terrace and views over Kleinbasel's rooftops or down the Rheingasse. Has a freestanding bathtub and air conditioning — the most private and spacious room in the house. Some units have an additional sofa bed.
Queen (160cm), some with sofa bed · 40 sqmSingle Room City
Single room overlooking the Rheingasse — the lively alley that inspired Hesse. Quieter than the river side at night, facing the charming curves of Kleinbasel's old town.
Single Room River
Single room on the Rhine-facing side of the building, without a balcony. Rhine views through the window.
Single Room River with Balcony
Compact single with a Rhine-facing balcony. The entry-level river room for solo travellers who still want that front-row water view.
The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Complimentary bicycles available for guests to explore Basel and the Rhine promenade, subject to availability. The flat riverbank makes it ideal cycling territory.
Two meeting and event spaces: the Rhybligg and the Pfisterwerkstatt. Suitable for seminars, private celebrations, and corporate events alongside the Rhine.
The hotel sits directly on the Rhine promenade — one of Basel's most enjoyable walks. The Mittlere Brücke (middle bridge) is right outside the front door. Easy access to both the Kleinbasel and Grossbasel riverside paths.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Rhybligg and Pfisterwerkstatt meeting spaces for events, seminars, and corporate use.
Available throughout the hotel and in all rooms.
Rhine-side terrace open in good weather, attached to the restaurant. One of Basel's best outdoor dining spots.
Hotel gift vouchers available for purchase online via e-guma.
Each floor has a shared water, tea, and coffee station available to guests.
No on-site garage. Hotel driveway is for loading/unloading only. Guests can use partner car park Claramatte nearby at special hotel rates.
Free bike loans for guests, subject to availability.
Guests receive free public transport passes with their reservation confirmation for travel to and from the hotel.
BUILD YOUR KRAFFT BASEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning