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Art surrounds you when in Basel, home to one of the world’s most renowned art fairs (Art Basel) and as a guest of Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel, it is no different. A former castle, beer hall and social meeting point for 18th-century artists, the newly imagined property is a place for Baselites to gather in the modern era. Opened in 2020 by two young Swiss entrepreneurs, the 45-room property doesn’t have a wellness centre nor its own gym, but that’s exactly what the owners intended. Guests are invited to feel at home with intimate and friendly service, a self-service Honesty Bar and a private collection of art which changes depending on the seasons.
Simple luxuries are in place at Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel with top quality mattresses for a good night’s rest, locally-designed furnishings and Swiss-made bath amenities. There is a restaurant, the Brasserie, which serves French-inspired dishes using top-quality Swiss ingredients and also a thriving cocktail bar, Imi with an impressive cocktail and spirits menu. The location is a short 5-minute walk to the Old Town and main shopping district, as well as a 18-minute tram ride to Fondation Beyeler, Switzerland’s premier contemporary and modern art gallery.
Other Activities
Museums
Romantic Break
Local exploring
Designer Shopping
Wildlife Area
Restaurant
Great walks
Rooms with balcony/terrace
Pet friendly
Good wine list
Sit-out Terrace
Designer
Family Suites
Downtown
Luxury
Contemporary
Chic
Rooms
45 rooms in this hotelRestaurant
The Brasserie and The Courtyard give guests two dining options throughout the dayRooms with balcony/terrace
The Terrace Suite boasts a spacious terrace with city viewsPet friendly
Pets are welcome. A charge may applyAirport transfer
Suites
Good wine list
Sit-out Terrace
Garden
Outdoor dining
Bar
Family Suites
Bath robes
Wifi
Other Activities
Museums
Designer Shopping
Wildlife Area
Great walks
Why do people love staying in your hotel? Guests love the Volkshaus Basel because it brings together calm, thoughtful design with the lively spirit of the city. The rooms by Herzog & de Meuron are built from honest materials, with warm light and clear lines that make it easy to unwind. At the same time, the house is deeply rooted in the local neighbourhood: the Imi Bar and the Brasserie are meeting places for locals and travellers alike, the inner courtyard offers a quiet open-air retreat, and the historic event halls bring culture and community into the building. Our team adds to this with attentive, relaxed hospitality. It’s a place where architecture, art and everyday Basel life come together in a way that feels genuine and welcoming.
What is there to do in the area? Our central location places guests within walking distance of the scenic Rhine, Basel’s renowned museums and galleries, the historic Old Town and architectural landmarks. The Kunstmuseum, the exhibition centre as well as riverside promenades are just minutes away, making it easy to experience the city’s rich culture and vibrant art scene.
What kind of breakfast do you offer? Our breakfast focuses on quality and a relaxed start to the day. We work with regional partners and serve fresh breads, pastries, seasonal fruits, homemade items and warm dishes prepared with care. It’s a simple, thoughtful selection that reflects our approach: good ingredients, good craftsmanship and an atmosphere that invites you to take your time.
Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Absolutely. Our Brasserie is the culinary heart of the house. Its menu consists of traditional classics of the “Cuisine du Marché” and varied seasonal dishes that you enjoy under a sea of mouth-blown lights in a big-city atmosphere. The lively Brasserie and our contemporary Imi Bar — complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine and drinks selection — are favourite meeting places for both locals and visitors.
While Basel offers plenty of excellent restaurants, most guests find that the best culinary experience is already waiting for them right here in the house.
Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our guests especially like the Signature Design Rooms, individually designed by Herzog & de Meuron with a strong emphasis on thoughtful materials, warm light and minimalist elegance. For those seeking something exceptional, our Terrace Suite is a standout favourite. As the largest suite in Kleinbasel, it offers over 70 square metres of space and a breath-taking view of Grossbasel and the Basel Cathedral.
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? Families are very welcome at the Volkshaus Basel. We provide baby cots on request and selected room categories can accommodate an extra bed for older children. A special favourite among our youngest guests are our custom tent beds: cosy, playfully designed sleeping tents that turn the room into a small adventure and give children their own little hideaway.
What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers? At the Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel, architecture, design, hospitality and local life come together in a way that feels both authentic and uplifting. Whether you visit for art, business or leisure, we look forward to welcoming you and creating a stay that is memorable, meaningful and uniquely connected to the spirit of our city.
It’s something of a surprise to see the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron named in a boutique-hotel project. Outside of Switzerland, the firm is better known for large-scale projects like stadiums and museums. But Basel’s Volkshaus, while it’s not a football stadium, has been central to this city’s public life for centuries, and to adapt it for use as a hotel was no small task. Once a castle, later a brewery, still later a concert hall and office complex, it’s a site with a history that demands preservation.
What stands here today is both a very thorough update and a sensitive restoration. The long-hidden bones of the 1925 structure dictate the atmosphere, which indirectly recalls Bauhaus in its simplicity and its focus on livability. The 45 rooms are possessed of a warmth beyond the abilities of most contemporary designers, and the facilities are quietly state-of-the-art.
And the Volkshaus is still the people’s house, which means it’s much more than a hotel. There’s a brasserie, a bar, and a leafy courtyard, as well as a surplus of meeting and events space, and even a concert venue, whose reopening we eagerly await….
Originally published by Michelin Guide
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