Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern

It says a lot about what kind of hotel the Bellevue Palace is that it’s the Swiss government’s official lodging, playing host to visiting dignitaries and heads of state as well as Swiss members of parliament. In fact it’s publicly owned, but privately managed, a sort of best-of-both-worlds approach that seems to have paid off — its facilities and atmosphere are flawless, but the service is anything but complacent.

Of course, aesthetically speaking, you wouldn’t expect the Swiss government to take any great risks. This is an absolutely classic city-center grand hotel, and while it’s been continually kept up to date, a visitor from a century ago would feel right at home. The rooms and suites are extremely well equipped, and range from the relatively cozy Superior rooms all the way up to a Presidential Suite whose name is not aspirational, but perfectly factual.

Meeting facilities, naturally, are plentiful, and the wellness offerings include a Finnish sauna and the Bellevie Gym — spelling absolutely intentional. And the restaurants and bars are in a league with the city’s finest, from Le Lobby with its afternoon tea to the Bellevue Bar for cocktails, from the classic Brasserie Vue to the daringly modern Noumi Bar & Grill.