Best family hotels in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the easiest countries in Europe for family trips: it is safe, clean and has excellent infrastructure.
At the same time, your hotel choice will define both comfort and total budget.
This guide explains which regions work best with kids, highlights popular family-oriented hotels and shows what prices to expect.
It is useful for families with children of all ages – from babies to teenagers.

Key takeaways

• The most convenient family bases are around Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Geneva and Lugano.
• Look for hotels clearly positioned for families – with kids’ clubs, playrooms, pools and children’s menus.
• A good family room usually costs around 220–350 CHF per night, while top ski and lake resorts can run 400–800+ CHF.
• In summer, aparthotels and family resorts with kitchens can cut food costs significantly.
• Public transport is excellent, so a car is often optional if you stay close to a train or bus stop.
• For school holidays and peak ski weeks, family rooms should be booked months in advance.
• Using eSIM and VPN makes roaming cheaper and online banking or streaming services easier to access.

Best regions in Switzerland for families

Switzerland is compact, but regions differ a lot in climate, pricing and style of holiday. For families, the following bases usually work best.

Central Switzerland and the Lucerne area

• Lucerne – a very convenient city base: lakeside promenades, parks and easy trips to Mount Pilatus and Rigi, plus boat rides on Lake Lucerne.
• Lakes like Walensee and Lake Zug offer quiet family resorts with small hotels and aparthotels, great for swimming and walking in summer.

Bernese Oberland and Interlaken

• Interlaken and its surroundings (Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren) are a classic Alpine family area. Expect easy trails, cable cars, views of the Jungfrau massif and excursions up to Jungfraujoch.
• There is a wide choice of family-friendly hotels with pools, playrooms and spacious apartments.

Graubünden: St. Moritz, Davos, Laax

• St. Moritz and Davos have strong infrastructure, many family hotels and plenty of winter skiing and summer hiking.
• Laax is a modern resort with a big choice of slopeside aparthotels and family resorts.

Valais and Zermatt

• Zermatt is a car-free resort under the Matterhorn, perfect for families who value clean air and walking without traffic.
• The region has many family hotels and apartments, plus Forest Fun Park Forest Fun Park Zermatt and hikes to Lake Riffel.

Lake Geneva and Ticino

• Geneva and Montreux combine city life and the lake Lake Geneva, promenades, parks and good day trips.
• Lugano and Lake Lugano feel almost Mediterranean, with a milder climate and lots of lakeside family resorts with pools.

Best family hotels in Switzerland by region

This is not a complete list, but a set of examples and hotel types that families tend to choose.

Central Switzerland and Lucerne

• Frutt Lodge & Spa Managed by Kempinski (Kerns) – a mountain resort on a high plateau not far from Lucerne, featuring a kids’ club, a family spa with a dedicated children’s area, a children’s pool and ski-in/ski-out access in winter.
• Swiss Holiday Park (Morschach) – a large family complex with SPA, waterpark, slides, kids’ club and a mix of hotel rooms and apartments with kitchens.
• Kempinski Palace Engelberg (Engelberg) – a 5-star hotel at the foot of Mount Titlis with a full-scale kids’ club, programmes for children aged 3–12 and a strong focus on family stays (Engelberg is widely promoted as a family-friendly resort with Kids4Free ski pass offers).
• Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern (Luzern) – a family-friendly 5-star hotel right on the lakeside promenade and by the Old Town, offering family rooms and suites, babysitting services and children’s dishes – an excellent base if you want a “city + lake + day trips around the region” combination.
• HERMITAGE Lake Lucerne - Beach Club & Lifestyle Hotel (Luzern) – a lakeside hotel with family rooms, a kids’ menu, a playground and a pool; when booking, it’s worth noting that many rooms come with large balconies or terraces, which is important to consider with smaller children.

Bernese Oberland and Interlaken area

• Gstaad Palace (Gstaad) – a legendary 5-star palace hotel with a strong family focus: a well-designed Kids’ Club programme for ages 5–12, spacious family suites, and a full range of winter and summer activities.
• Hotel Regina (Wengen) – a classic hotel in car-free Wengen, offering family rooms and easy access to the children’s ski areas.
• Beausite Park Hotel (Wengen) – a calm, car-free location with gardens, pool and very convenient access to family ski slopes.
• Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald (Grindelwald) – a well-known hotel with pool, playroom, family rooms and a short walk to the railway station.
• Hotel Chalet Swiss (Interlaken) – a traditional chalet-style hotel with large family rooms, ideal as a base for exploring the Jungfrau region and lakes Thun/Brienz.

Graubünden: St. Moritz, Davos, Laax

• Randolins Familienresort (St. Moritz) – a dedicated family wing with playrooms, playgrounds, childcare services and family suites.
• Cresta Palace Hotel (Celerina) – a family-oriented hotel in the Engadine, featuring a kids’ club, a dedicated “kids’ spa”, children’s menus and the Eviva Famiglia programmes – an excellent base for skiing across the St. Moritz area.
• Rocksresort (Laax) – design aparthotel at the base station, with full kitchens, play areas and lots of children’s activities.
• Peaks Place Apartments & Spa (Laax) – modern apartments with a full SPA area, convenient for families who want extra space and self-catering.
• Tschuggen Grand Hotel (Arosa) – a 5-star hotel with its own private funicular to the slopes: Tschuggen Kids/Junior Club, a children’s pool, family suites, true ski-in/ski-out access and an outstanding spa.
• Waldhotel Arosa (Arosa) – a hotel with a full children’s club, kids’ menu, dedicated children’s swim times and a wide range of family services – a “light luxury” option perfectly suited for families.
• Sunstar Hotel Arosa (Arosa) – one of the benchmark family hotels in Switzerland: children up to 11 eat for free on half board, plus family rooms, a pool, playgrounds and organised kids’ activities.
• Hotel Piz Buin Klosters (Klosters) – a stylish upscale hotel with a children’s club and a pool that appeals equally to adults and kids.

Lake Geneva and Ticino

• Swiss Historic Hotel Masson (Veytaux) – a Belle Époque hotel overlooking Lake Geneva, offering family rooms for up to seven guests, a garden, a playground and dedicated children’s services.
• Hotel Le Rive (Nyon) – located right on the lakefront in Nyon, with family rooms for up to seven guests, a kids’ menu and extra-bed options – ideal if you want to combine Geneva with smaller lakeside towns.
• LUGANODANTE Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel (Lugano) – a city hotel that works exceptionally well for families: spacious family rooms, thoughtful service and a great base for exploring Ticino and the Italian–Swiss lake region.
• Dorint Resort & Spa Locarno Riazzino (Locarno) – a family-friendly resort on Lake Maggiore with a pool and a spa – a “Switzerland, but almost Italy” experience with palm trees and a mild, Mediterranean-style climate.

City stays with kids

If you’re planning museums and urban walks, these hotels work especially well:

• Hotel Adler Zürich (Zürich) –– a hotel in the heart of the Old Town with family rooms (two single beds + a sofa bed) and the Swiss Chuchi restaurant, which offers a children’s menu. A convenient base for walking around the historic centre and the lakeside promenade.
• Boutique-Hotel Zurichberg (Zürich) – a family-friendly hotel in a green area above the city, close to the zoo. Family rooms include books, toys and colouring sets; there is a garden and a small playground on site, and children up to around 11 often stay free with parents (depending on current offers). A good option if you want a blend of city and nature.
• Placid Hotel Design & Lifestyle Zurich (Zürich) – a design hotel with Smart Family Suites: two bedrooms connected by a large shared bathroom.
• Hotel d’Angleterre (Geneva) – a luxury boutique hotel on the shore of Lake Geneva, very attentive to families: babysitting services, kids’ menus, baby cots and several family-friendly room options. Ideal if you want true lakefront luxury with Jet d’Eau views while staying comfortable with children.
• Rotary Hotel Geneva - MGallery Collection (Geneva) – a stylish 4-star boutique hotel in the very centre of Geneva, offering family-friendly amenities such as baby cots, extra beds for children and babysitting on request. A convenient base within walking distance of the lake, the Old Town and the main station.
• Novotel Genève Centre (Geneva) – a classic family-oriented Novotel close to the lake: children up to about 15–16 can stay and have breakfast for free when sharing a family room with parents. Kids’ menu, a small play area and a good overall price-to-comfort ratio for families.
• Swissôtel Kursaal Bern (Bern) – a 4-star hotel overlooking the Old Town and the Alps, offering family rooms, a large garden, several restaurants and a very convenient location next to a tram stop.
• Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa (Bern) – a luxury city hotel directly opposite the train station, featuring Family Two-Bedroom and Family Three-Bedroom apartments (for up to 5–7 guests), access to a spa and pool, babysitting services and kids’ menus. An excellent choice if you want maximum comfort and space for the whole family.

What to look for when choosing a family hotel

• Room type. Family rooms and apartments with a separate bedroom for parents usually mean better sleep for everyone.
• Kitchen facilities. A kitchenette or full kitchen is extremely useful with babies and for longer stays.
• Child facilities. Kids’ pool, shallow areas, playroom, kids’ club, babysitting and rental of baby gear all make life easier.
• Location. With kids it helps to stay near a station or lift so you avoid long uphill walks in ski boots or with strollers.
• Meal plans. Half-board (breakfast + dinner) can be cheaper and simpler than hunting for restaurants every evening.
• Children’s policy. Check ages for free stays, extra-bed fees and what is included in a “family room”.

Transport and logistics

Switzerland’s public transport is one of the main reasons it works so well for families.

• Main gateways are Zurich, Geneva and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, plus smaller Bern.
• From airports you can usually take a direct or easy train connection to Interlaken, Lucerne, Zermatt (with one change), St. Moritz and many other resorts.
• For intensive travel days, national rail passes are worth considering; with a family card, many children ride free or at a steep discount.
• In the mountains, local buses and mountain trains cover even small villages; many hotels offer regional guest cards with free or discounted transport.

More details on trains, buses and transfers can be found at Transport in Switzerland.

Prices (Updated: November 2025)

Prices vary a lot by season and resort, but you can use these ranges as a guide:

• Family room in a 3–4* hotel in a city or quieter resort: roughly 220–350 CHF per night for 2 adults and 1–2 children.
• Family room or suite in flagship ski and lake resorts: usually 400–800+ CHF per night, especially in peak season and if you stay slopeside.
• Aparthotels and apartments: with early booking it is realistic to find family apartments around 180–260 CHF per night outside the absolute peak dates.
• Lunch in an inexpensive restaurant: around 25–45 CHF per adult.
• Three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant (without drinks): about 100–200 CHF.
• Cappuccino in a café: 4–7 CHF.
• Basic supermarket basket:
  • 1 litre of milk – 1.5–2.5 CHF;
  • loaf of bread – 2–5 CHF;
  • 12 eggs – 5–11 CHF;
  • 1 kg of local cheese – 25–45 CHF.

Cost-of-living data suggests monthly expenses for a family of four (excluding rent) of about 5,200–5,400 CHF, which gives a sense of the general price level in Switzerland.

Practical tips for booking

• Confirm the presence of a lift, high chairs, microwave or kitchen – especially important with babies and toddlers.
• Use free-cancellation rates at first while your itinerary is still flexible.
• Compare aparthotels with classic hotels – for longer stays, a kitchen almost always saves money.
• Think about layout and floor type – families often find single-level rooms without steep stairs safer and easier.
• In summer, prioritise hotels near a lake or pool; in winter, stay as close to the lift or ski-bus stop as possible.
• Set up an eSIM in advance – see eSIM for Switzerland – and use a secure VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi (see VPN for Switzerland).
• Ask whether the room price includes a regional guest card with free transport or discounts on lifts and attractions.

FAQ

How expensive are family hotels in Switzerland?
Expect around 220–350 CHF per night for a good 3–4* family room, and 400–800+ CHF for top resorts in high season. Using aparthotels, cooking some meals and avoiding peak holiday weeks helps to keep the budget under control.

Which regions are best for families in winter?
For skiing, St. Moritz, Davos, Laax, the Interlaken area and Zermatt offer strong infrastructure, ski schools and plenty of family-friendly accommodation close to the slopes.

And which regions work best in summer?
In summer, lakes are the stars: Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, Montreux and Lake Geneva, Lugano and Lake Lugano, plus the Bernese Oberland with easy trails and panoramic cable cars.

What is better with kids – hotel or apartment?
If you want full service and on-site facilities (pool, kids’ club, organised activities), a hotel or resort is the better choice. For more space, privacy and lower food costs, apartments or aparthotels are ideal.

Do you really need a car for family trips in Switzerland?
Usually not. Trains and buses are frequent and punctual, and many resorts are designed for car-free stays. A car is mainly useful if you plan to visit small villages without rail links or carry a lot of gear. Transport in Switzerland covers your options.

How to tell if a hotel is truly family-friendly?
Look for clear signs: kids’ pool, shallow splash areas, indoor playroom, kids’ club, babysitting, baby equipment and many honest family reviews mentioning these details.

Recommended Services

• eSIM and mobile data → Airalo, Ubigi, Yesim, iRoamly, Saily, GoMoWorld, Amigo eSIM, Voye, Esim4travel, Drimsim (country-specific guide: eSIM for Switzerland).
• VPN & online security → NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN (more details in VPN for Switzerland).
• Tours and activities in Switzerland → Get Your Guide, Viator (see also Tours in Switzerland).
• Airport and intercity transfers → Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi (overview in Transport in Switzerland).
• Car rental for regional trips → Economybookings.
• Hotels and apartments search → Trip.com and the overview page Accommodation in Switzerland.

Summary

Switzerland’s family hotels range from large resorts with kids’ clubs and water slides to quiet aparthotels by the lakes.
Choosing the right region, type of accommodation and season will define whether your trip feels hectic and overpriced or relaxed and good value for money.
Mountain regions and Bernese Oberland are ideal for active families, while lake areas like Geneva and Ticino suit those who prefer a milder climate and swimming.
With a little planning and the right hotel, Switzerland can be an exceptionally comfortable destination for a holiday with children.