Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
47° 33′ 37” N
07° 35′ 15” E
We recently visited the five star superior Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, the hotel named for royalty (les trois rois= the three kings) is the absolute epitome of true luxury. Founded in 1681, it is of the oldest hotels in Europe and offers exceptional hospitality and exquisite amenities. Not only is it the best rated luxury hotel in Europe 2020 but it also hosts the 3-Michelin Starred (and 19 Gault Millau points awarded) Restaurant Cheval Blanc, serving vivacious exquisite French haute cuisine – enriched with Mediterranean and Asian influence – by P. Knogl – which by the way ranks among the world’s top 100 restaurants.
This hotel has so much to offer. Boasting a brilliant location right on the banks of the Rhine river, spectacular rooftop / balcony views, outstanding facilities like a waterfront terrace or the Salon du Cigare, and other services and amenities that rival any other luxury hotel in Switzerland. The overall atmopshere is just second to none.
But what really really struck me the most is the style, character and history of the hotel. In 2004 the hotel was renovated back to the period around 1844 according to national heritage criteria. When you enter the hotel – it really feels like going back in time and gives you an impression, how the truly elegant and royal atmosphere of nobility felt like. The rooms and suites are elegant, exceptionally furnished with unique art and antiques and other palatial interior like ornate woodwork and impressive colorful tapestries, high ceilings, voluminous curtains and so on.
Whether you are a fan of the style of classicism or not – this place is a must see and it is in a league of its own.
Come join us and experience what hospitality and true luxury looks like.
So, here it is, the detailed review of the stay:
SUMMARY OF THE STAY
Overall: 5/5
Food: 5+/5
Aesthetic beauty: 5+/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Amenities: 5/5
Rooms: 5/5
Beds: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Staff: 4/5
Location: 4/5
Pool/SPA: n/a
Beach: n/a
The magnificent atrium (Lichthof) with the golden shimmering chandeliers is one of my favorites and it gives a wonderful first impression when you enter the hotel.
The Room
The River Suite lives up to it’s royal reputation. It really gives you an idea how kings/queens must have felt back in time when they entered their beautiful accomodation. And of course the views from your own terrace over the Rhine are equally stunning!
The spacious 70 m² suite has it’s own salon with a large bedroom. Even if we have been transported back in time, the room has all the state of the art technology that a modern hotel offers nowadays. Bang & Olufsen soundsystem and flat-screen TVs, A/C, free of charge minibar and wait for it – an AquaClean shower toilet (the ones you know from your Japan trips) 🙂
All in all, historic charm and state of the art tech under one roof
what a warm welcome – many thanks to Andrea!
The Bathroom
The spacious suite comes with a marble clad bathroom that features a heated floor, large bath tub (with a small integrated TV as you can see on the right) and high-quality Swiss made Feuerstein Essentials amenities – including a lovely lip balm.
The View
Fantastic panorama view over the city and the Rhine river – day and night.
Impeccable Details
The attention to detail in this hotel and every single room is impeccable and it gives the guest an unforgettable experience.
Just to name some of the details that caught my attention: the walls exquisitely furnished with silk wall-covering, the interiors which are decorated with golden objects, and the luxurious drapes, the magnificent chandelier and the flower arrangements (the flowers come from the hotel’s own flower shop «Fleurs des Rois»)
The restaurant(s) and other facilities.
As mentioned above, the restaurant “cheval blanc” by Peter Knogl is one of the best restaurants in the world. Luckily, we did have the opportunity to get into this multi award winning fine dining experience. Since it was so special, we dedicate a separate blog post to this truely unique experience.
There are many places in the common areas – for example a library, the gorgeous lobby with its piano, the cigar lounge, the bar with it’s amazing river views and so on.
Hotel Surroundings
The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois lies at the very heart of the city of Basel – directly on the banks of the river Rhine. Let’s have look at the hotel from the outside and it’s surroundings
Herzog & de Meuron’s New Hall at the Messe Basel exhibition centre is one of my most photographed objects when I am in Basel – for example for the Art Basel or the Basel World. I mean – look at this building, isn’t it aesthetic to look at?
Summary
The hotel is historic and amazing from every point of view. Perfect food, romantic rooms and pompous atrium, fantastic staff, spectacular views, floorways and halls exuding grandeur and opulence from the past while offering the hospitality experience you have always dreamt about.
Really, the only farfar-fetched point that could be seen as a shortcoming is the lack of a Spa and Pool. Lack is not quite correct – if you can afford the Presidential Rooftop Suite you can relax in your private open-air jacuzzi and sauna. But who needs a Spa in Basel anyway, right? 🙂
This post was written in collaboration with the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois SA
