Hotels are of high quality and in high demand. All standards from luxury to family hotels and pensions are available. A service charge of 15% is included in hotel bills, and an additional local tax may be payable (depending on the location). Most hotels in Switzerland are affiliated to the Schweizer Hotelier Verein (Swiss Hotels Association) (SHV).

Grading: The SHV classifies all its hotels according to a 5-star rating system, which stipulates a range of facilities ranging from: 1-star (simple) to 5-star (luxury).

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. The SHV issues an annual guide of around 2,500 member hotels and pensions.

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 (see Contact Addresses).

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.

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

There are approximately 600 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. A list of campsites (produced in conjunction with the Swiss tourist board) is also available online (website: www.camping.ch).

Visitors holding membership cards of a national organisation affiliated to the International Youth Hostels Federation are entitled to lower prices. Advanced booking is advised in summer. A list of hostels is obtainable from Switzerland Tourism.

Schweizer Hotelier Verein (Swiss Hotels Association) (SHV)
Monbijoustrasse 130, Postfach 3001 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: (31) 370 4111.
Website: www.swisshotels.ch

The Swiss Camp Site Owners Association (VSC/ASC)
3800 Interlaken-Thunersee, Switzerland
Tel: (31) 852 0626.
Website: www.swisscamps.ch

Swiss Youth Hostels
Schaffhauserstrasse 14, 8042 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 360 1414.
Website: www.youthhostel.ch