Honey Trap: Switzerland’s Best Bee Friendly Hotels
By
2 months ago
These buzzy spots are the bees knees
Meet Switzerland’s VIPs: wild bees, birds, hedgehogs and insects. Through its new Bees & Friends campaign, Switzerland Tourism is shining a light on the hotels going above and beyond to help their most vital, if tiny, visitors. Here are ten hotels in Switzerland with inventive sanctuaries for their winged guests of honour.
Switzerland’s Best Bee Friendly Hotels
Märchenhotel Braunwald, Braunwald
Best for: Families
The enchanting ‘fairytale hotel’ Märchenhotel Braunwald has got family-holidaying down to a fine art. Alongside modern rooms and outstanding childcare (available 12 hours a day), there’s an incredible range of offerings, from thrilling activities to playgrounds, family pools and a seriously good wellness programme. During the summer, hotfoot it to enjoy a small zoo with alpacas, bunnies, goats, lamas and chickens. Come winter, it’s skiing and sledding galore. The huge ‘Hall of Kings’ will also astonish with ultra-modern technology such as flying tables, locomotive Emma and a bouncy castle floating in the air. The hotel’s latest arrival is ‘Bee-Märchen,’ a miniature masterpiece for wild bees. Conceived by designer Sarah Rittmann and scaled at a delicate 1:50 ratio, this diminutive bee hotel mirrors the original’s fairy-tale splendour – complete with turrets no larger than thimbles, lovely bay windows and tiny rooms designed for buzzing guests. In ornate honeycomb structures, wild bees can settle into their storybook abode, surrounded by a delightful garden. Nearby butterfly and bird houses offer further safe havens, creating a magical menagerie which children love to discover. It’s also the perfect chance to teach little ones all about the importance of wildlife.
Hotel Des Horlogers, Le Brassus
Best for: Winter sports
A sustainably designed sanctuary, Hôtel des Horlogers sits in Vallée de Joux, where master watchmakers have crafted timepieces for centuries. Created with raw materials from the region, this zig-zagging architectural marvel was commissioned by Audemars Piguet, with the hotel mere steps from its legendary atelier. Overlooking the Risoud forest, there are 50 incredibly elegant rooms and suites offering an exceptional view of the valley. Award-winning chef Emmanuel Renaut heads up the kitchen, producing exquisite dishes made of locally sourced produce in the forest-gazing restaurant, while the expansive spa by Swiss beauty brand Alpeor also uses regional products in treatments. Now this serene retreat is extending its green credentials beyond human guests with ‘Summnest’ – an avant-garde wild bee hotel for ‘sporty bees’ that mirrors the property’s commitment to sustainable luxury. Created by industrial designer Annina Mijatovic and inspired by the cross-country ski trails threading past the hotel, this striking column combines clean architectural lines with durable natural materials. Rising like a modernist sculpture in the hotel grounds, Summnest offers essential nesting space, while being a powerful statement for biodiversity that would make even the most discerning Swiss craftsman proud.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
Best for: Wellness
The Dolder Grand has always wowed with its elegant bedrooms, Michelin-starred food and sparkling panoramic views of the Alps. Then there’s the fabulous multi-award-winning 4,000 sq/m spa, with a 25m swimming pool, whirlpools, sanarium, snow paradise, steam bath and outdoor sun terrace. Five tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, driving range and minigolf course keep all generations happy, while winter brings the Dolder Kunsteisbahn, one of Europe’s largest open-air ice-skating rinks. The art collection is eye-opening, too, with more than 100 works, including originals from Takashi Murakami and Salvador Dalí. Now, this storied resort – which began life as a sanatorium and wildlife park in 1899 – is returning to its roots, with the ‘Tiny Dolder Grand’, a charming miniature of the hotel for small guests at the edge of the forest. Conceived by mechanical engineer Josua Glünkin, who was inspired by the elegance of the original ballroom, it’s an intelligent balance of style, sustainability and functionality. The space, crafted entirely from local materials, has been beautifully thought out: hedgehogs have the luxurious ground-floor suites, while birds relax in style on the sturdy sandstone roof – which serves as part spa, part social club. Plus, there’s a species-appropriate entrance and removable roof for easy cleaning.
Peaks Place, Laax
Best for: Active adventurers
All-round fun is guaranteed at Peaks Place in Laax. Combining the privacy of a holiday apartment with the usual hotel services, there is a huge range of accommodation, with some apartments housing up to eight people. The s’nani restaurant serves fantastic food, reinterpreting age-old recipes and championing local ingredients. And you can work any extra calories off by getting stuck into Peaks Place’s incredible choice of activities – particularly when it comes to two wheels. This brilliantly equipped certified bike hotel has all you could need to start pedalling, including bike washing and repair stations . There are plenty of trails to choose from, with 205 miles of bike paths. Wildlife is not missing out on the action either thanks to a recently-installed ‘hedgehog bike hotel’. Named Peaky Place, this miniature version of the original hotel is tailored for prickly friends. Built from spruce wood, its jagged shape blends seamlessly into the woodland. A cosy sleeping area in the back offers shelter, while two green rooftop sections provide food for insects and birds. Don’t miss the tiny pump track on the roof – just in case a little guest arrives on wheels.
Hotel Villa Carona, Lugano
Best for: History
Beautifully restored Villa Carona sits above Lake Lugano, bordering the same quaint village where Swiss-German poet Hermann Hesse spent many hours. With 18 individually decorated rooms, this family-run villa’s 200-year-old history is evident, with a wonderful array of antiques filling every corner, including original wall paintings. The food hits all the right notes thanks to head chef Gabriele Migliorati, who creates beautiful Italian-Mediterranean cuisine using the freshest, mainly local ingredients. Breakfast on the terrace with a view of Monte Generoso is hard to beat and the service is superb. Outside in the flourishing Mediterranean garden is a refuge for up to 30,000 honeybees. Designed by Sarah Rittmann, this miniature bee hotel mirrors the architecture, colours and proportions of the original villa with delightful precision. Elevated on elegant stilts, it provides everything discerning bees need. Set amidst nectar-rich blooms, thoughtful features like a hinged roof, single flight entrance and capacity for ten Dadant frames ensure the local beekeeper can tend to residents efficiently and sustainably. The end result is an idyllic haven for honeybees, complete with all the heritage-inspired charm of its namesake.
Posthotel Rössli, Gstaad
Best for: Tradition
Built in 1845, Posthotel Rössli, the oldest guesthouse in Gstaad, has been lovingly run by the Widmer family since 1922. Brilliantly located in the town centre, just two minutes from the train station, there are 18 recently renovated rooms with typically Alpine touches. The family rooms are superb and can sleep up to five guests. The two restaurants offer a cleverly balanced seasonal menu of traditional and modern dishes, using fresh local produce. The buzzing Stübli restaurant draws locals and tourists alike for its delicious local food and authentic atmosphere. Meanwhile, the super cosy Alti Poscht, which is named after the inn’s former life as a post office, offers a stand-out buffet breakfast amid reclaimed wood interiors. In the summer, the lovely new terrace is the perfect spot to while away the hours. Adding to the hotel’s charm is Série Horns, a series of wooden birdhouses designed by interior architecture student Jaemo Lee, outside the front of the hotel. Inspired by the iconic postal horn in a nod to the hotel’s history, the musical horn-shaped designs feature chalet-style roofs and clever symbolism – linking birds to messengers and nests to mailboxes. Each is a fine example of Swiss craftmanship, beautifully complementing Posthotel Rössli’s Alpine elegance.
Silo Design & Boutique Hostel, Basel
Best for: Design
One of Basel’s most striking industrial buildings (think futuristic-looking architecture with ultra-modern and light-filled interiors), Silo Design & Boutique hotel, a former grain store, is breaking ground as Switzerland’s first boutique hostel. Smartly remodelled to create a budget-friendly option, there are ten double rooms with ensuite bathrooms and ten four-bed dorms, including special women-only dorms. An excellent breakfast of fresh local delicacies sets you up for the day. There’s also a living room for hostel guests and a meeting room used by creatives and small businesses. The latest guests to be catered for are bees with the just-launched Wild Bee Hostel, standing in the garden of the hotel. Created by designer and concept developer Sarah Rittmann, there are five elevated lodges that sit on slender wooden stilts, flawlessly integrated with raised planting beds. These hexagonal structures feature varying nest hole sizes to accommodate different bee species, while natural materials – bamboo, reed, hardwood, and clay – provide disease-resistant nesting conditions. The lodges’ ingenious design directly incorporates rooftop gardens and lush green cavities into the structure. This creates nectar-rich food sources within wing’s reach of their inhabitants, which means bees can feed and nest without venturing far.
Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne
Best for: Luxury
Set within ten acres of private gardens on the shore of Lake Geneva, this Belle Époque beauty was once the site of two peace-treaty signings in the early 20th century. Today, Beau-Rivage Palace is the epitome of luxury – starting with the 168 incredibly stylish bedrooms. There’s also a two Michelin-star restaurant, PIC au Beau-Rivage Palace, plus three other restaurants offering Japanese and Swiss cuisine, while the 75,000-bottle wine cellar contains many vintages from the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyard. Add to that a Guerlain Spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, nine treatment rooms, a tennis court, a padel court and a golf driving range. A certified ‘Sustainability Leader’, the hotel has just installed a luxury retreat for wild bees in the park. Architects François Born and Adrien Clairac are the men behind BEE Rivage, which has been created as both a sculptural statement and ecological sanctuary. Drawing inspiration from the four seasons and local flora, this sensitively designed refuge caters to all the needs wild bees could possibly have. Within a protective circular boundary, a flourishing grove shelters diverse nesting structures, which are each tailored to different species. Beyond providing vital habitat, the hotel hopes that the project will serve as a compelling reminder of bees’ irreplaceable role in our ecosystem.
See & Park Hotel Feldbach, Steckborn
Best for: Business
Nestled on the shores of Lake Constance, award-winning See & Park Hotel Feldbach is an all-rounder property that is perfectly placed for either business or pleasure. A former convent dating back to 1252, the original building houses the restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes, with carefully paired wine. The tower bar in the attic is a must-visit, with original wooden beams, a crackling fire and cosy sofas. The 36 bedrooms (all with balconies) are directly across from the convent in a modern building situated where the church once stood. There are also three auditoriums and seven group meeting rooms for up to 80 people, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Couple all that with a beautiful rose garden, large park, lakeside terrace with spectacular views and a private pier. It’s also outdoors that the hotel’s latest project, the B-House, can be found. Inspired by the convent building, the concept was developed by architect Kosha Ahmadi and Laurin Schaffner, an industrial designer and design researcher. Cue the ideal retreat for bees, which offers thousands of nesting spaces. With a uniform design wrapping the structure, each nesting tube acts like a brick in the facade, while the metal roof provides weather protection – all amid a floral paradise.
Six Senses, Crans-Montana
Best for: Sustainability
Crans-Montana is well-known for its exceptional panoramic views and beautiful scenery stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Six Senses is exquisitely placed to soak up the best of it all, with its slopeside position and direct ski-in and ski-out access overlooking the Alpine Forest. The 78 rooms and three-bedroom apartment have a delicious Swiss chalet feel. There’s also an array of fantastic bars and restaurants, a fabulous spa that blends high-tech biohacking with high-touch therapies, and an open-air cinema. Also part of the scene is five beehives, arranged down a slope, which feature the same chalet-style roof design as the main building. Each hive is named after the five senses, reflecting the brand’s philosophy (the all-important sixth sense being intuition). Complementing the apiaries are two insect hotels – both over 1.5m tall and in mirroring chalet style – which have been positioned in family-friendly spots to spark the curiosity of little ones and provide wildlife education. The initiatives are funded by Six Senses’ Sustainability Development Fund, which supports local environmental and social initiatives in line with the company’s focus on nature and community.
