Grandhotel Les Trois Rois – tradition in the middle of Basel

After the unexpectedly wet trip to Geneva and a terrific time in Bern, our summer discovery tour took us to the cultural capital of Switzerland – Basel. Art and culture are encountered at every turn during a walk through Basel. The choice is huge. More than forty museums await interested visitors, including gems such as the Fondation Beyeler or the Tinguely Museum. In addition, the city wonderfully combines tradition and modernity. In a harmonious cityscape, medieval buildings and the imposing cathedral are presented alongside contemporary buildings by internationally renowned architects such as Herzog & de Meuron. For architecture fans, a trip to the Vitra Design Museum in neighbouring Weil am Rhein is also a good idea.

Basel’s secret summer hero, however, is the Rhine. On hot days, life takes place on and in the Rhine. Swimming in the Rhine is a must. The Rolling Stones already knew that the legendary 5-star deluxe Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, one of the oldest city hotels in Europe, offers the ideal starting point for this. It is said that the boys jumped from the hotel balcony directly into the Rhine. With this location, no surprise, right?

How much rock star there was in us was to be shown on this day. We had the honour to spend one night in exactly the traditional hotel.

Les Trois Rois had an easy time with me. It was love at first sight. Between the door and the hinges, so to speak, I stopped with my mouth open and marveled at the elegant atrium, which goes over four floors. I was surprised a second time at the reception, where I was charmingly presented with a rose. Wow, what a start to the weekend.

From 2004 to 2006, the hotel was extensively restored in accordance with monument preservation criteria. The original plans were used as a guide, skilfully combining state-of-the-art technology with time-honoured materials and furniture. All rooms are individually designed and decorated with antique furniture and objets d’art in the style of classicism or Art Deco. The result is a harmonious overall appearance with character. The patterned wallpapers, which have been elaborately reconstructed from historical fragments and give the rooms their basic tone, are striking.

Our room with a view of the lifeline of Basel – the Rhine – and balcony was on the fourth floor. The view from the balcony, which actually juts out into the Rhine, is fantastic. With the landmarks such as the cathedral and the Messeturm in view, you can watch the colourful hustle and bustle on the Rhine at your leisure. Directly opposite is also the cultural raft “Imfluss”, which provides unique summer moments with open-air concerts on a smaller scale. But I had to bury my rock star ambitions. A jump from the fourth floor into the Rhine seemed a bit too daring to me.

The short tour of the hotel revealed a few more surprises. Worth mentioning is the lime green Napoléon Suite in the Nouveau Louis XVI style, which reminds us that the then general was invited to a state dinner in Basel in 1797. In addition, a former chapel, which is located in the hotel, has been converted into a wonderful library. The stained glass windows are a reminder of its former function.

The fact that tradition obliges is also evident in the culinary offerings. Unfortunately, there was no time for culinary delights in the gourmet restaurant Le Cheval Blanc (2 stars Michelin and 18 Gault Millau points). We saved ourselves hunger for the rich breakfast buffet. There’s nothing quite like a leisurely Sunday breakfast after a good night’s sleep in exquisite surroundings. Les Trois Rois brilliantly fulfilled my culinary requirements for a hotel in a class of its own.

If you are looking for a central place with history and tradition in Basel, Les Trois Rois is the place to be. I would have liked to spend a little more time on my wonderful balcony with a view of the Rhine.

Please note: This stay has been supported by Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois – Thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.