Where to stay: SWITZERLAND

Located in Basel‘s car-free Old Town, ART HOUSE is a boutique design hotel set behind a black stone façade which houses rotating exhibitions that lean toward emerging street artists. Onyx stone, raw concrete, black steel, terrazzo, and oak wood set a Japanese-inspired scene for furniture pieces by big international names, like Vitra, Abacus, Artek, Santa & Cole, KNS, and Living Divani.

In a wonderfully connected world with traditional ideas of luxury, this is a refreshing place that is innovative, cool, and in the centre of Basel.

A flamboyantly grand yet intimate grande dame with huge red-velvet-draped windows looking out to the Rhine. Don’t miss the three-Michelin-starred restaurant serving vivacious Mediterranean-international cuisine, and drinks in the bar while a pianist with a penchant for tweed plays Handel and Bach. The hotel was built on the site of a medieval inn and some of that intimate, creaking charming is still traceable in the wonky staircases.

This small design hotel is located opposite Basel's Fairgrounds (Messe) in trendy Kleinbasel, a 10-minute walk from the River Rhine and Old Town. It has a hip bar.

Always a good choice, budget design chain Motel One's outpost in Basel is located in the very heart of the city's old town, just a few minutes walk from the Rhine River.

Situated in Basel's Altstadt (Old Town), with all sights and museums within walking distance or easy to reach by public transport, Der Teufelhof offers stylish accommodation and fine art and cuisine. The Kultur-und Gasthaus Der Teufelhof Basel houses the Art Hotel, the Gallery hotel, the Bel Étage gourmet restaurant, the Weinstube restaurant, a café and a bar, the Shine and Kubus conference rooms, a theatre and the Falstaff wine shop.

The Hotel Krafft is a stylish design with a mix of modernity and original furniture from the 1950s set in a restored historic building, right on the bank of the Rhine river in Basle. The view of the historical city centre on the other side of the river is breathtaking – be it from the restaurant or from the hotels south-facing rooms. The terrace overlooking the lively river promenade with its Mediterranean flair is an invitation to stay and linger.

By the team behind DNA Hotels' favourite Hotel Krafft, NOMAD is a stylish boutique design hotel located in Basel's city centre. The hotel is spread between two buildings, a former apartment building from the 1950s -the city's first- and a new concrete annex. Stark concrete walls are covered by kilims and are complemented by bespoke furnishings in oak and leather.

Newly built in a classic Swiss chalet style, the ASPEN alpin lifestyle hotel in Grindelwald is set at the foot of the famous Eiger North Face, next to the hiking trails and ski slopes of the Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen areas. Mountain sports, nature and animal themes are evident throughout the hotel, which fuses the classic with an authentic Alpine Chic style. Outside the magnificence of the Bernese Alps await.

Imparts a James Bond feeling with great views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains.

A beautiful historic hotel in a remote location.

A modern design hotel set in the former Grand Hotel Regina in the centre of the village of Adelboden, under one hour from Berne. Welsh hotelier Grant Maunder brings a touch of Wales to the Alps with this contemporary, character-filled retreat brimming with subtle, personal references to Cambrian culture, such as portraits made by Welsh painters.

If the golden stone façade is imposing in scale, the mood inside is boutique. The low-lit lobby-cum-bar – a decorous arrangement of Patrician portraits, Murano glass installations and snug seating areas – bustles with the chatter of locals. Along olive-toned corridors linger Art Nouveau-style velvet seating, oversized orchids and arty canvases depicting shots of the city.

A DNA Hotels' favourite, the Bellevue is a stylish indie hotel from the 1930s where tradition meets charming Scandinavian and mid-century design. The timelessly elegant design consists of a linear, classical and streamlined modernistic style (a former sanatorium) contrasting with the rustic village and spectacular Alpine landscape. A renovated lobby features furniture by Finn Juhl, Wegner and Gio Ponti. All this creates a truly authentic hotel experience.

HUUS Gstaad - design by Stylt Trampoli. A perfect marriage between Alpine hut and luxury design hotel. HUUS Gstaad melds an unmatched package of outdoor activities with a well appointed family-friendly spa and “the world’s best beds”. Two Range Rover convertibles for complimentary hire top off the visionary concept.

The Alpina | Gstaad - complied with the town’s strict planning regulations (just six storeys tall, timber-clad and with cascades of blazing-pink geraniums falling from its balconies each summer) but this ostensibly traditional property, opened late 2012, also incorporates judiciously chosen present-day elements.

With looks that are somewhere between English country home and Soho House, this grand hotel is playful rather than formal. Rich hues of teal, turquoise and plum complement painterly House of Hackney wallpaper, while layers of Neisha Crosland fabrics in earthy tones and folds of herringbone or velvet pose alongside bulging bookcases and glass-fronted fireplaces.

Winner of the UNESCO architecture prize Prix Versailles 2017 (a global architecture prize for retail and hospitality) for its interiors, the boutique Hotel Spedition is set in a historically protected building.

Just a few minutes walk from Peter Zumthor’s world famous Therme Vals (reduced entry price) is the family-run Hotel Alpina, located on the picturesque village square. In 2006, the hotel and guest house was completely renovated by a local Grisons architect.

A re-invention of the traditional mountain stay. Brücke 49 offers an urban kind of luxury and inspiring contemporary designed interiors.

7132 in Vals, Switzerland is an otherworldly destination for architecture buffs and wellness enthusiasts alike. Known for its ancient thermal baths, the world-class spa and hotel (previously known as the Therme Vals before reopening in July of last year under new owner, property developer Remo Stoffel) is the handiwork of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, whose monolithic masterpiece melds into the alpine landscape for a soulful and immersive experience.

Chesa Stüva Colani | Madulain, Grisons - Wonderfully aged, chunky, twisted and rooted - built in the 17th century, the boutique hotel Chesa has not only been at home in the tiny mountain village for centuries, it has never looked so good. Indeed, a lot of love, passion and tenacity saw the Chesa Colani being stripped back to its architectural bones and then respectfully restored to let tradition host the modern - from the medieval Sgraffito facade to designer Flos lighting.

Hotel Saratz | Pontresina, Grisons - Set within a 35,000 m2 park, Hotel Saratz combines old and new in two buildings dating from 1875 and 1996 respectively. It offers a large range of facilities including golf, tennis, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, several restaurants (including the original restaurant in Art Nouveau style) and a bar. Regular art exhibitions throughout the hotel.

Hotel Castell | Zuoz, Grisons - a fascinating hotel on a hill high above Zuoz, integrating art, architecture, cuisine and well-being into a pleasurable holiday experience. The hotel combines the charm of a historic grand hotel with modern architecture and a renowned collection of contemporary art including works by Roman Signer, Fischli-Weiss, Pipilotti Rist, Carsten Höller, James Turrell, Martin Kippenberger and many others.

rocksresort Laax | Grisons - is a complex of 11 stunning buildings covered in quartzite stone that blend in with the surrounding Alpine scenery. The complex includes a boutique hotel and designer apartments, which have the services of the hotel, including housekeeping, catering, concierge service and ski hire. Laax's 220 kilometres of slopes can be accessed directly from the buildings.

The building is worldwide known for its "golden egg" architecture; it is the main hotel supporting the annual January meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The hotel features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and a private cinema.

Valsana reinterprets Alpine aesthetics to spirited effect: inside the woodland-inspired cladding, Aztec embroidery and hand-painted botanical murals interpose with rustic materials such as leather, smoked oak and untreated wood. Industrial finishes in iron and copper add a trendy note, alongside aviator egg chairs and sausage dog benches.

The Capra is a luxury indie hotel, where ski chalet meets chic mountain hideaway. It is located in Saas-Fee, a "picture perfect" Swiss Alpine idyl known for its 4000+ metres snow-capped peaks and WHAM!’s “Last Christmas” video.

- the sustainable luxury hotel will offer 47 apartments, two restaurants, a bar, a magnificent terrace with awe-inspiring Alpine views and a signature, world-class Six Senses Spa.

A 21st-century take on the traditional alpine lodge, the family owned Firefly Luxury Suites is a mountainside retreat with cosy interiors and superb views of the Matterhorn. It is only a 3-minute walk away from the Klein Matterhorn cable car and a short walk from the Zermatt village centre. All the Firefly suites are individually decorated to reflect the elements: fire, earth, water and air, with blocks of striking colour, wood flooring, leather furniture and seductive lighting

Set in an abandoned ski gondola station, Chetzeron is located at an altitude of 2,112m offering breathtaking views of the Rhône Valley and Alpine Peaks. There are only 16 rooms, public and private bars and a restaurant serving serving local Valais cuisine and wines. The true scene-stealers are the expansive terrace areas, overlooking the Rhone valley; fitted out with picnic tables, sun loungers with sheepskins and even a pool, a perfect spot to laze away a sunny day.

Hotel Matthiol is a younger, fresh, alternative to a lot of the more traditional style hotels in the area. A modern chalet style building, constructed in 2009, it is situated at the far end of Zermatt Village. It features modern-contemporary rooms and buzzing common areas. Set on a hillside, the hotel has beautiful alpine surroundings, and you can actually ski-in to the hotel which is unusual for Zermatt. Getting to the center of Zermatt is a 20 minute walk.

Contemporary design meets traditional Swiss at the W. Classy without being stuffy, fun without sacrificing quality, it's well designed to appeal to the professional, international crowd who come to Verbier to ski – and given its location right next to the main lift, they don't have far to go.

After extensive renovations, the Hotel De Londres in the historic and car-free Old Town of Brig has reopened. The 18 simply designed rooms and suites are home to a softly lit palette, exuding a relaxed ambiance. Scrubbed and oiled wooden floors, pristine linens and geometric headboards add Swiss flavour and attic suites reflect the surrounding landscape with pitched roofs constructed from Larch and Fir.

The once nearly-abandoned hamlet of Commeire in the heart of the Valais (Swiss Alps) has been rescued from a slow decay by the Montagne-Alternative group, which has taken a collection of near-derelict barns and houses and lovingly restored them to create a unique alpine experience. It offers stylish and eco-friendly lodge accommodation perched on the side of the mountain and offering spectacular views.

The Omnia | Zermatt - The location is at once central and quite comfortably removed from the bustle of town - guests enter through a tunnel in the rock and ride an elevator up to the lobby, high above Zermatt’s rooftops. Still recognizably Alpine in style, the hotel is constructed in wood and stone, with canted roofs and big picture windows; it’s just a very modern sort of Alpine.

Hotel Matterhorn Focus | Zermatt - The hotel has its own idiosyncratic design, which is perhaps best described as modern rustic chic, with contemporary riffs on a lodge-style building that makes the most of the mountain views with lots of floor-to-ceiling glass. The interiors and furnishings bear the playful hallmark of local architect and artist Heinz Julen, who combines post-industrial elements with muted colours and flamboyant, quirky touches.

A luxury design hotel set in five newly built chalets around the original main building from the 1950s. Natural, local materials (wood, stone, felt, loden) adorn the interiors, which although modern give a cosy "lodge" feeling.

The hotel is home to the world famous Farm night club- the place to see and be seen in Verbier for over 40 years.

Perched 1,981 metres (6,500 feet) above sea level, is Europe's highest permanently inhabited village -so you can imagine the kinds of views you’ll find at this brand-new eco-retreat. Everything at Chandolin Boutique is meant to pay homage to the beauty of the region, from the bespoke natural materials and terraces or balconies in its 25 guest rooms to the seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

This small design hotel is located in Zürich's University District, a short stroll from the old town and the lake. It offers sleek rooms with hardwood floors and furniture by Molteni and Milano. Downstairs is a cozy restaurant and bar.

Promising 'design on a budget', the hotel is strikingly arty with an aesthetic that feels more expensive than its price tag. Black marble-look resin panels the lobby, where pendulum lights dangle above open shelves stacked with local history hardbacks. There are flashes of Motel One’s signature turquoise throughout, but the theme is predominantly Zurich.

The Dolder originally opened in 1899 as a retreat from the city, but went on to attract illustrious guests including Winston Churchill, Roger Moore and Sophia Loren. Nowadays, its reputation as one of Switzerland's best hotels continues, in part thanks to two Norman Foster-designed wings of steel, stone and tinted glass that sweep, wave-like, around the shuttered cream-and-merlot Belle Époque building in a glossy interplay of old and new.

Marktgasse Hotel, located in Zurich‘s Old Town is a unique and vibrant triangle of tradition, modern design, and perfect simplicity. The hotel is housed within a Swiss landmark, one of the oldest inns of the city, dating back to the 15th century.

A long time DNA Hotels’ favourite, the Widder has it all: authenticity, luxury, boutique-sized, gourmet food, designer furniture, art, Swiss perfection, we could go on and on. It is located in a tranquil location of Zurich’s Old Town, and set in 9 adjacent, carefully renovated (it took ten years to complete) medieval houses. Furniture and various objects by 20th-century artists including Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Adolf Loos.

This hotel perches high above the city, right on the edge of a forest, with beautiful views of the city, lake and mountains, and yet it is easily accessible. A historic Art Nouveau building with a unique new development, it has 66 designer rooms, an elegant restaurant, garden terrace, bar and lounge with live DJs.

Shaking up a conservative hotel scene, the Grand Kameha astonishes, courtesy of interiors by Marcel Wanders. Giant cow bells hang in the lobby, door handles look like safe vaults and doors like slabs of chocolate. There are 245 rooms and it's near the airport.

The French Empire-style building dates back to 1909 and houses the only luxury hotel located on Lake Zurich. The majority of the 40 rooms and suites have views of the lake and many have their own private balcony or terrace. Taking inspiration from the location, designer Philippe Starck wanted to give guests the feeling of being on a yacht. He lent his signature contemporary touch with neutral tones and sleek metal accents, while honoring the building's historical elements.

This hip hotel is located in the equally hip District 4 of Zurich, just a short walk from the main train station. The hotel has an eclectic style: zany bric-a-brac, including model boats, flamenco dancers and giant Duplo bricks, is arranged around the front desk, while truck tarpaulin bags, made by cult Zurich company FREITAG, dangle from the ceiling.

Housed in an iconic building erected in the 1950s - formerly made up of office and retail space - the hotel has been designed by CitizenM's longstanding partner Concrete. Large shop windows and staircase have been retained, while the rest of the interior spaces have been refurbished to create a 160-key property with two living rooms, a check-in desk area, a canteen with bar and bakery, and several SocietyM meeting rooms.

Set in a former textile factory (built in 1860), the boutique Hotel Bleichibeiz is located in Wald, a 40-minute drive from Zürich. All minimalist styled rooms feature special indirect lighting and come equipped with a cable TV. The restaurant combines a historic atmosphere and serves healthy Mediterranean cuisine. Next to the hotel is the Bleichebad Spa with an indoor pool, a sauna and a steam bath.

LADY's FIRST Hotel | Zurich - Located in a quiet sidestreet of Lake Zurich, Lady's First Design Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel set in an elegant 19th-century building with modernist interiors. Rooms feature old parquet floors, bright colors, carefully selected lighting and furniture, and quality beds from Swissflex.Although the hotel welcomes everyone, the spa is exclusively for women and offers a steam bath, saunas, special showers, and foot baths.

Set close to the opera house and the promenade that parallels the lake, the small design Hotel Seehof is set in an original 1930s-era private house. The hotel retains the original russet-colored exterior, but the interior decor is angular and efficient, with stark white walls and the kind of black furniture that you'd expect in a trendy art gallery. The angularity is softened, in both the public areas and the bedrooms, with varnished and beautifully crafted oak floors .

An intimate design hotel offering contemporary accommodations in a historic townhouse located in Zürich's Old Town. All rooms come with a private bathroom with robes and a hairdryer, a TV, a safety deposit box, and a minibar. Aromatic Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine can be enjoyed in the Ristorante Il Gattopardo on site. The cosy Rössli Bar serves selected wines, single malts and tapas.

Greulich is Zurich’s original design hotel. It has a crisp, arty aesthetic, daily yoga classes overlooking a grove of silver birches and a cosy ‘living room’ that draws in the local community. It is set in the hip Langstrasse district.

An industrial chic hotel in an imposing brewery with an edgy aesthetic offset by warm colours and oak fittings. B2 boasts a perch above Zurich, where views are best enjoyed from the hot rooftop pool with jets. There is also an excellent series of indoor pools.

The interior is a kaleidoscope of cheerful colours, zany wall illustrations, cheeky slogans and larger-than-life furniture, is designed to show that there is more to Zurich than finance and chocolate. It’s crammed with greenery and arty red-tube light installations, the lot characteristic of designer Alfredo Häberli’s joyful style. And it works – in a haphazard 1970s-meets-contemporary sort of way.

This boutique hotel on the River Sihl in central Zurich combines Art Nouveau good looks with design-led charisma. The superbly comfortable Hästens beds are a highlight, but other reasons to stay are the Gault Millau-rated restaurant and a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views.

Combining the style of an African game reserve with the Swiss tradition of luxury health retreats, this peaceful place overlooking Lake Geneva allows guests to cocoon themselves away from the world and reap the benefits of anti-ageing spa treatments, high-quality food and lakeside relaxation.

A contemporary boutique design hotel enjoying a privileged location in Geneva, between the pedestrianized Jean-Violette street and a park. The stylish and spacious rooms and suites are situated in 2 connected historic buildings and offer flat-screen TVs and Nespresso coffee makers. Suites come with a fully equipped kitchen. The fitness and wellness area is accessible free of charge.

This grand hotel stands proud on Geneva’s lakefront, and has been welcoming royalty, heads of state and celebrities through its opulent doors since 1872. It’s five-star all the way, with a discreet ambience, silver service, and mood-lifting views of the Jet d’Eau and snow-capped Mont Blanc.

Set in a historic building dating back to 1727, Boutique-Hotel Schlüssel offers rooms of unique charm in the village of Beckenried, between majestic mountains and Lake Lucerne. Since 1820 the building has been operating as an inn.

Behind the exterior of this 1867 luxury hotel lies a wonderfully inviting interior. This extensively renovated jewel offers an individual hotel experience like no other, influenced by three main themes: wine and dine, art and culture, and health and wealth.

- design by Jean Nouvel. A luxury design hotel set on a quiet city park near the centre, within walking distance of The Culture and Congress Centre, the historic old town with its lake promenade, the chapel bridge and the train station. The hotel offers refined, contemporary rooms, a stylish Asian restaurant "Bam Bou" and a cocktail bar which hosts DJs on the weekends. Photos on the guest room ceilings portray the favourite films of Novel.

Book one of the 90 superior design rooms in the new wing by star architects Herzog & de Meuron which feature white tiled, open-plan bathrooms with rainforest showers, a flat screen tv, a mini-bar and a safe.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz has welcomed the reopening of Grand Hotel Quellenhof following an extensive refurbishment costing over €35 million. After a five-month renovation and just in time for the hotel’s 150th anniversary, the transformation of this Grande Dame is now complete.

Part of the converted former 1864 spinning mill of Murg, Lofthotel is an unique hotel featuring spacious lofts aimed at bikers, cyclists and design fans alike. It offers magnificent views over Walensee Lake and the Churfirsten Mountains, just a 3 minute walk from the lakeside. Some lofts allow direct access by bicycle or motorbike. The Sagibeiz restaurant located on the lakeside offers seasonal and traditional Swiss cuisine.

The design Hotel Dom is located in the Old Town of St. Gallen, just a short walk from the Abbey of Saint Gal, which has a UNESCO World Heritage Site medieval library, and the main train station. Swiss and international dishes, as well as a large vegetarian selection, are available in the buffet restaurant. Bright, functional and modern rooms come with private or shared facilities.