Les Trois Rois – Grand Hotel Grandeur Meets Contemporary Genius
Basel’s Storied Jewel, Reinvented by Herzog & de Meuron
Where History Floats on the Rhine
Originally established in 1681, Les Trois Rois is far more than a luxury hotel—it’s a living chapter in European history. Napoleon once slept here, and so did Picasso, Voltaire, and Queen Elizabeth II. Perfectly perched on the banks of the Rhine in the heart of Basel’s Old Town, the hotel remains within strolling distance of world-class cultural institutions including the Kunstmuseum, Art Basel, and the Natural History Museum.
A Personal Project by Herzog & de Meuron
In a rare departure from their usual focus on grand cultural icons like the Tate Modern and Elbphilharmonie, local starchitects Herzog & de Meuron took on Les Trois Rois as a passion project—one close to home. ‘I love to come here with my wife for a drink at the bar,’ Jacques Herzog told Wallpaper* Magazine. The studio reimagined a former bank next door into a new five-floor expansion, complete with a dazzling rooftop spa, a show-stopping riverfront restaurant and bar, a versatile function room, and spectacular new suites—including the 240 m² Les Trois Rois presidential suite, with flowing interiors, circular living spaces, and curtain-divided bedrooms bathed in light.
Design that Reflects the River
In the new ground-floor restaurant, views are everything. Tables are set on a U-shaped stage at window height, placing diners eye-to-eye with the river’s ever-moving current. A central chrome bar glimmers beneath a mirrored ceiling, which reflects the water below and an overhead installation by artists Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger—a surreal cascade of crystals, fake flowers, and animal figurines that evokes a pop-art jungle.
A Spa Under the Rafters
Tucked into the building’s original mansard roof, the spa channels the spirit of a Japanese onsen. Framed by cedarwood, adobe-inspired finishes, and shoji screens, the space unfolds across two levels with a steam room, sauna, plunge pool, and serene treatment rooms. Rustic beams become part of the décor, blurring architecture with atmosphere.
A Hotel Like No Other
Whether sipping champagne at the bubblegum-pink velvet bar, dining at the Michelin three-star Cheval Blanc, or soaking in the spa beneath Basel’s rooftops, Les Trois Rois blends centuries of grandeur with cutting-edge design. Herzog & de Meuron didn’t just renovate—they re-enchanted.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Les Trois Rois is not just Basel’s crown jewel—it’s now a must-visit pilgrimage for design lovers. Reverent of its history yet thrillingly fresh, this is where French classicism, Swiss precision, and playful artistry converge on the Rhine.
