Les Trois Rois

Some hotels preserve history. Les Trois Rois continues writing it. Standing proudly on the banks of the Rhine since 1681, this is one of Europe’s oldest luxury hotels—a place where Napoleon, Voltaire, Picasso, James Joyce, and Queen Elizabeth II have all spent the night. Yet despite centuries of remarkable guests, Les Trois Rois has never become a monument to its own past. Instead, it continues to evolve. Its latest chapter comes courtesy of Basel’s own Herzog & de Meuron, who have transformed the neighbouring historic bank into an extraordinary extension that proves even Europe’s grandest hotels can still surprise.

A Personal Project for Herzog & de Meuron

Hospitality projects are remarkably rare within Herzog & de Meuron’s portfolio. The architects behind Tate Modern, the Elbphilharmonie, and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium accepted this commission for a far more personal reason. Les Trois Rois is their local hotel. Jacques Herzog has spoken openly about visiting simply to enjoy a drink at the bar, making this less a commercial commission than a labour of affection. That intimacy is visible throughout the project. Every detail—from ceramic tiles to furniture, fireplaces, and spatial planning—was developed specifically for the hotel rather than selected from existing collections. The result feels less like an extension and more like a conversation between old Basel and contemporary Swiss architecture.

The River Takes Centre Stage

The new public spaces revolve around one element above all else: the Rhine. Herzog & de Meuron elevated the restaurant seating onto a raised platform that places every table directly at window height, allowing diners to remain visually connected to the constantly moving river outside. At the centre sits a gleaming chrome cocktail bar beneath mirrored ceilings that reflect both the Rhine and a wonderfully surreal installation by Swiss artists Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger. Crystals, flowers, found objects, and colourful figurines hang overhead, introducing an unexpected touch of playful fantasy into the otherwise classically elegant surroundings. It is precisely the contrast that makes the room unforgettable.

A New Kind of Grand Suite

The architects approached the new suites with the same freedom. The spectacular 240-square-metre Les Trois Rois Suite abandons conventional room layouts entirely. Curtains and sliding panels replace permanent walls, allowing living spaces and bedrooms to expand or contract according to the guest’s needs. Circular rooms, generous natural light, rich materials, and flowing sightlines create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and surprisingly contemporary. It’s grand hotel living without the rigidity often associated with grand hotels.

Wellness Beneath the Roof

Hidden beneath the building’s historic mansard roof is another unexpected intervention. Rather than creating a conventional luxury spa, Herzog & de Meuron drew inspiration from traditional Japanese onsens. Cedar-lined interiors, softly textured plaster, shoji-inspired screens, exposed timber beams, and carefully controlled lighting create an atmosphere of remarkable tranquillity. The experience unfolds across two levels with saunas, steam rooms, treatment spaces, and a rooftop plunge pool overlooking Basel’s rooftops and the Rhine beyond. It feels quietly meditative rather than ostentatious.

A Basel Institution

Beyond the new additions, Les Trois Rois remains one of Switzerland’s defining grand hotels. The legendary three-Michelin-starred Cheval Blanc continues to rank among Europe’s finest restaurants, while the more relaxed Brasserie offers classic French cuisine overlooking the river. Outside, Basel’s Old Town, the Kunstmuseum, Fondation Beyeler, Museum Tinguely, and the annual Art Basel fair all lie within easy reach. Few hotels sit so naturally at the centre of a city’s cultural life.

Why It Works

Les Trois Rois succeeds because it refuses to choose between heritage and innovation. The original hotel remains gloriously grand, preserving the elegance expected from one of Europe’s great historic addresses, while Herzog & de Meuron’s intervention introduces an entirely new architectural chapter that feels playful, intelligent, and unmistakably contemporary. Rather than competing with history, the expansion enriches it. For lovers of architecture, design, and timeless luxury, Les Trois Rois remains not only Basel’s finest hotel, but one of Europe’s most fascinating places to stay.