Hotel Märthof

A beautiful neo-Baroque building on the Marktplatz square in the center of the old town, along with the adjoining 1920s commercial building, forms the setting for the Hotel Märthof, a boutique hotel that is at once a celebration of a hundred-plus years of local history and an introduction to a youthful and energetic side of Basel. Local architects Burckhardt solved some interesting problems related to the marriage of the two structures, and designers Iria Degen Interiors and Nader Interior and muralist Patrizia Stalder have crafted an atmosphere that’s stylish, memorable, and more than a little bit playful.

The rooms themselves are handsome, more modern than retro, and spacious enough; the inherited structure means some unusual floor plans, and the corner junior suites benefit from extra space and sunlight. There’s a lovely roof terrace with views of the old town, as well as a wellness and fitness area downstairs; e-bikes are available for self-guided exploration. And while the city center suffers from no shortage of restaurants and bars, the Märthof’s own Bohemia deserves a mention — it seats 240 guests in its indoor and outdoor dining areas, and often features live music to accompany the dishes from its wood-fired grill.