World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
Hotels are of high quality and in high demand. Advance booking is advised. Bookings cannot be made through Switzerland Tourism. All standards from luxury to family hotels and pensions are available. Most hotels in Switzerland are affiliated to the Schweizer Hotelier Verein (Swiss Hotels Association) (SHV), Monbijoustrasse 130, Postfach 3001 Bern (tel: (31) 370 4111; fax: (31) 370 4444; e-mail: info@swisshotels.ch; website: www.swisshotels.ch). Around 75 per cent of all overnight stays in the country are at SHV member hotels. A service charge of 7.6 per cent is included in hotel bills, and an additional local tax may be payable (depending on the location). Grading: The SHV classifies all its hotels according to a 5-star rating system, which stipulates a range of facilities as follows:
1-star (simple): Simple, clean accommodation offering basic amenities. There are approximately 82 SHV-classified 1-star hotels in Switzerland; 2-star (comfortable): Good standard of comfort and facilities including 30 per cent of rooms with private bath. There are approximately 382 SHV-classified 2-star hotels in Switzerland; 3-star (good middle-class): Very good standard of comfort and facilities including 75 per cent of rooms with private bath. Minimum size of hotel: 10 rooms. There are approximately 1100 SHV-classified 3-star hotels in Switzerland; 4-star (first class): High standard of comfort and facilities including all rooms with private bath and 16/24-hour room service. 60 per cent of rooms with colour television. Minimum size of hotel: 25 rooms. There are approximately 436 SHV-classified 4-star hotels in Switzerland; 5-star (luxury): Very high standard of comfort and facilities including all rooms with private bath, colour television and 16/24-hour room service. Minimum size of hotel: 35 rooms. There are approximately 81 SHV-classified 5-star hotels in Switzerland.
Note: Membership of the SHV is voluntary, and there may be some first-class hotels which do not have a star rating. There are many hotels with no actual star classification that are recognised by, and members of, the SHV as well as Country Inns, Unique hotels, Aparthotels, Mountain Inns/Traveller’s Lodges and Low Service hotels.
Any SHV hotel can apply for a maximum of three of the following specialist categories: Family Hotel, Historic Hotel, Bike Hotel, Golf Hotel, Congress Hotel, Eco Hotel, Health Hotel, Drive-in Hotel, Holiday Hotel, Tennis Hotel, Business Hotel, Seminar Hotel and Wellness Hotel. Prices vary slightly according to the popularity of the resort.
The SHV (see above for address) issues an annual guide of around 2500 member hotels and pensions. This shows the rates, addresses, telephone/fax numbers, opening dates and amenities of the various hotels. Also included are lists of spas, resorts, sports facilities and climate. A list of hotels and restaurants catering for Jewish visitors is available from the SHV, as well as a hotel guide for the disabled, the elderly and a list of hotels especially suitable for families. All lists are available from Switzerland Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).

Chalets & Apartments
Information regarding the rental of chalets, houses, flats and furnished apartments is available from local tourist offices and estate agents in Switzerland. A list of contacts is available from Switzerland Tourism.

Spas
Switzerland has about 22 different mineral springs for the treatment of various health conditions. A guide to Swiss spas, including hotels, is available from Switzerland Tourism.

Private Clinics
Details of accommodation in private sanatoria and clinics is included in the publication Private Clinics in Switzerland, available from Switzerland Tourism.

Camping
There are approximately 450 campsites in Switzerland. Camping on farmland is not permitted. Local area laws and fees vary. It is advisable to make advance reservations in the summer. Camping guides published by the Swiss Camping Association and the Swiss Camping Federation can be purchased from Switzerland Tourism. The Swiss Camp Site Owners Association (VSC/ASC) can be contacted at 3800 Interlaken-Thunersee (tel: (31) 852 0626; fax: (31) 852 0627; e-mail: info@swisscamps.ch; website: www.swisscamps.ch). A list of campsites (produced in conjunction with the Swiss tourist board) is available online (website: www.camping.ch).

Youth Hostels
Visitors holding membership cards of a national organisation affiliated to the International Youth Hostels Federation are entitled to lower prices. To avoid disappointment, wardens of youth hostels should be given prior notice (at least five days) of arrival. An International Reply Paid Postcard (Youth Hostel Edition) should be used if confirmation is required. For further information, contact Swiss Youth Hostels, Schaffhauserstrasse 14, 8042 Zürich (tel: (1) 360 1414; fax: (1) 360 1460; e-mail: bookingoffice@youthhostel.ch; website: www.youthhostel.ch).
A list of Swiss youth hostels is obtainable from Switzerland Tourism.