Which Hostels recommended in Swiss cities?

The ones in Lautterbrunnen and Gimmelwald are very nice
and in the center of many great hikes with great views.

I have stayed in the Ehrenberg, Lauterbrunnen and Zermatt hostels. I recommend them all.
All well run, make sure u reserve in advance.

Depending on how many are in your family, you may find that a hotel or apartment will work out to be cheaper than a hostel.

If you tell us just which cities you are looking at, how many are in your family and what ages, and what your requirements are (for instance, do you need a kitchen), people can give specific recommendations.

Thank you for the suggestions. We will need a place in Geneva, especially the night before a 7 am departure flight to return to US. Also expecting to visit St. Gallen, possibly Zurich, Basel, Davos with the remainder of time in areas offering hiking on easy to moderate trails. Family consists of two adults, and two teenagers (15 - 17 years).

I was very pleased with a stay at Backpackers Lucerne. It's an hour's train ride more or less from Zurich to Luzern and Luzern is much more pleasant.

The pro's and con's of this hostel were:
1. It is across the road from a small park beside the lake. With good weather it can be a very beautiful location. In any case, it is calm there, as nearby buildings are a mix of small residential and high-tech business. Everything about the hostel was just right; they do laundry for you there.
2. But there is no restaurant in the hostel or close by. So if you need to eat, do so before you arrive. There is a grocery store in the train station, and you can buy some prepared foods there, if memory serves. The vegetarian cafeteria on the top floor of the train station is highly recommended for tasty, nutritious food. Yes, if you eat a lot, the total can add up, but if you are deficient on fruits and vegetables, the result is so worth it. And yummy too.
3. This hostel is about a 15-minute walk from the train station and heart of downtown, so bear that in mind. But it is all or almost all beside the lake, so it is a pretty walk.
4. Cooking facilities looked to be bare bones, as is common in hostels, but there is a nice smallish lounge with good books, games, etc., very comfortable for bad weather days.

I don't know how they view the under-18 crowd, but I think I remember an Asian family there. You of course would need to ask. This hostel closes down January-February I think, so if trying to reserve in that timeframe, keep in mind you won't be able to ask questions and receive a reply.

I was very pleased with a stay at Backpackers Lucerne. It's an hour's train ride more or less from Zurich to Luzern and Luzern is much more pleasant.

The pro's and con's of this hostel were:
1. It is across the road from a small park beside the lake. With good weather it can be a very beautiful location. In any case, it is calm there, as nearby buildings are a mix of small residential and high-tech business. Everything about the hostel was just right; they do laundry for you there.
2. But there is no restaurant in the hostel or close by. So if you need to eat, do so before you arrive. There is a grocery store in the train station, and you can buy some prepared foods there, if memory serves. The vegetarian cafeteria on the top floor of the train station is highly recommended for tasty, nutritious food. Yes, if you eat a lot, the total can add up, but if you are deficient on fruits and vegetables, the result is so worth it. And yummy too.
3. This hostel is about a 15-minute walk from the train station and heart of downtown, so bear that in mind. But it is all or almost all beside the lake, so it is a pretty walk.
4. Cooking facilities looked to be bare bones, as is common in hostels, but there is a nice smallish lounge with good books, games, etc., very comfortable for bad weather days.

I don't know how they view the under-18 crowd, but I think I remember an Asian family there. You of course would need to ask. This hostel closes down January-February I think, so if trying to reserve in that timeframe, keep in mind you won't be able to ask questions and receive a reply.

We stayed at a hostel in Geneva. (mid 50s mom and two 20 yr old daughters) It was my first experience in a hostel and it was fine. The price included a basic breakfast and I think dinner was available for an extra fee. Towels were also an extra fee. https://genevahostel.ch/en/