In November, we are going on the Viking Rhine cruise and we are planning to be in Basel a few days before departure.
Has anyone stayed at the Gaia Hotel? The reviews appear to be good.
I am looking for a mid-priced hotel within the city and one which includes a breakfast. Traditional hotel or boutique hotel is fine.
Thanks.
Gaia hotel, former Hotel Gotthard. Website: https://www.gaiahotel.ch/
Living here, I have never actually stayed in any hotel in Basel, so I cannot comment directly.
It is one of a group of medium standard hotels opposite the station (the others being Victoria and Schweizerhof). Next door to a McDonalds (is that an advantage or a disadvantage?). Convenient location if coming by train. 4 stops by tram to the centre of Basel.
All hotels in Basel give you free public transport for the duration of your stay.
There are some restaurants around the station, or you can catch a tram to the centre or anywhere else in Basel.
The road in front has trams running along it. Trams start running ~ 05:30. I have no idea how good the sound-proofing is. If you are a light sleeper and like the window open, you may want to avoid a room at the front of the hotel.
Sorry I can't give much more info.
We spent one night at Hotel Gaia last summer (late July) when we first arrived in Switzerland. I chose it on the basis of proximity to the train station, as we arrived by train from Basel and were to depart the next day for Bettmeralp. I also relied on the reviews on TripAdvisor. The hotel was exactly as represented. The room (a Smart double) was a bit small even by European standards, but not a problem. We did request a shower rather than tub/shower combo and that request was honored.
We walked down to the river twice after our arrival; once to check it out and get some exercise after the long train ride, then again so my husband could join the river swimmers. The next morning we took the opportunity to walk around the Old town before catching our train. I know we had breakfast at the hotel but honestly cannot remember anything specific about it.
We recently returned from Switzerland and enjoyed a stay at Hotel Euler while in Basel. I chose it due to it's location, an easy walk from the train station with our luggage and a 20 minute bus ride to/from the airport. We did not choose the 'breakfast included' rate, therefore, I cannot comment on the food. We booked a double bed room and it was spacious and clean with comfortable bedding and pillows. The bathroom was huge. The air-conditioning was ice cold during the July heatwave. All staff members were friendly. The only negative was that our room faced the street where the tram stations were located and it was noisy in the evening while we were trying to sleep. I wouldn't hesitate staying here again if I could get a quieter room. The exterior of the building was beautiful.
https://www.hoteleuler.ch/?_ga=2.180279212.967653492.1563835725-70652672.1548099684
We used the Motel One in Basel- modern, comfortable, and very well-kept in the middle of things. If you don't want to pay for the breakfast-included rate at the property proper, there's a solid breakfast restaurant right next to the hotel. My parents thought it was nicer than the full service hotel that Viking was using as their pre-cruise excursion hotel.
I have been researching hotels for Basel and Motel One interested me until I read that there are no phones in any of the rooms. I saw that in TripAdvisor and the manager responded that this was a way for them to save money and that they believe their customers already have mobile phones. That told me I am not their customer because I don’t use my mobile phone to make phone calls when I am overseas. I would have to leave my room and go downstairs for any request or issue. That disappointed me because I liked the property.
Motel One is a new-build hotel in a prime location in the centre of Basel. In an old bank building on the main street (Freiestrasse), with a shop occupying the ground floor. The entrance is on the back side.
it is an economy hotel. It is what they call here a "Hotel Garni", that is a hotel with no restaurant located in walking distance of many restaurants. I can understand why they don't bother with phones in rooms. Virtually nobody uses them as most people have mobiles. One or two guests from other continents, like Continental, will be the exception to the rule.
Motel One is a German-owned chain. Despite the name it does not have any parking, it is in the pedestrianised zone, accessible on foot or by public transport (tram) only.
Interesting question about phones in the rooms.
Back in the day when I used a phone card to get cheap phone calls I welcomed the phone in the room so I could have privacy for the calls, and didn't have to use grotty public phone boxes.
Now, when my phone (or my wife's) is my alarm clock, my music player, my place to read books (or have them read to me), my place to play games and plan my travel (driving or train or local transport) - my phone is what I want on the bedside table, not the hotel phone. The first thing we do is make room on the bedside table by putting the hotel phone on the floor, taking care to not knock the handset off the hook.
I never use a hotel phone to call outside the hotel now, and when I need something I generally prefer to wander down to the desk. It is sometimes handy to call housekeeping or the pool.
So I guess we are all different.
What makes me happy is a USB plug next to the bed and plenty of power plugs around the room.
