Swiss hospitality returns to the spotlight with the tenth edition of the ranking “The 101 best hotels in Switzerland,” which recognizes the best Swiss hotels by highlighting service quality, guest experience, and innovation. The ceremony took place on April 19, 2026, at the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, overlooking Lake Lucerne, in the presence of approximately 300 guests, including industry professionals and prominent figures.
Zurich and Lausanne at the top
Two icons of Swiss hospitality once again dominate the scene. The Dolder Grand confirms its position as a benchmark in the business category, earning the title of "101 Luxury Business Hotel of the Year 2026." On the leisure front, the top award goes to the Beau-Rivage Palace, which stands out for its leisure-focused offerings and overall quality of the experience.
The general director of the Lausanne facility, Benjamin Chemoul, was also awarded the title of “101 ICON Hotelier of the Year 2026”, confirming a management capable of combining international standards and customer attention.
Awards and recognitions in the DACH region
The ranking, which covers the entire DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), also recognized other notable properties. These include the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa as best luxury hideaway and The Alpina Gstaad in the lifestyle category.
Major awards have also gone to establishments such as The Chedi Andermatt for its design and architecture, the Park Hotel Vitznau among the lakeside resorts, and the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz for its spa and wellness offerings. Among historic buildings, Badrutt's Palace Hotel continues to stand out.
Recognition of Ticino and the issue of accessibility
Among the most significant innovations of the 2026 edition is the introduction of a category dedicated to hotels accessible to people with reduced mobility, developed in collaboration with Procap. First place was awarded to Hotel Center Magliaso, Ticino reality which stands out for its inclusive offering.
Still on a human and social level, a special award was given to Hotel Momentum, recognized as “Hotel of the Year 2026 – New Beginning” for its management of the housing emergency following the Blatten landslide in 2025.
An evening among industry leaders
The “101 Soirée”, hosted by Christa Rigozzi, brought together prominent figures such as Nathalie Seiler-Hayez, Martin von Moos e Martin Nydegger. During the evening, Reto Wittwer received the “101 Icon Hotelier of the World – Lifetime Achievement Award” for his career.
The challenges of the sector between values and change
Prior to the awards ceremony, the "101 Executive Summit" offered a forum for discussion on the changes taking place in the hotel industry. The debate, moderated by Gaudenz Looser, touched on topics such as staff shortages, the evolution of leadership models and the need to find a balance between cultural innovation and traditional values.
Among the interventions, that of Dietmar Müller-Elmau He emphasized how the ability to adapt remains one of the keys to success: maintaining service quality requires leveraging human resources, considered the main asset of any organization.
An increasingly influential ranking
Founded in 2019 by Carsten K. Rath Together with his son David, the "101 Best" ranking has quickly established itself as a benchmark for high-end hotels. Introduced in Switzerland in 2025, it is based on independent ratings, guest feedback, and in-depth analysis, with the scientific support of SDI Munich.
The stated goal is to offer a reliable guide to travelers while also highlighting establishments that stand out for their excellence and innovation. This approach, once again in the 2026 edition, confirms Switzerland's central role among the leading international hospitality destinations.
