Hotels in Bern/Basel

Emma, Not sure where you mean by "the usual sites".
For Basel, I recommend the official city tourist website: https://www.basel.com/en
This lists all hotels in Basel and nearby. Makes sure you get one in Basel city, then you get free public transport for the duration of your stay. I haven't stayed in any, 'coz I live here! But I have had recommendations from people who have. There are plenty of hotels in the range CHF 150-200 per person per night.

What sort are you looking for, small? unique?, big chain?

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-berne/best-western-hotelbern/propertyCode.94230.html

We are staying at the Best Western in Bern which is city center. About 175 CH in July for 2 people. I can give you a firsthand account later this summer!

In Bern, look at the Hotel Allegro Kursaal. kursaal-Bern.ch I stayed there on a Rick Steves tour in 2016. Definitely the best RS Hotel I have ever stayed in. Plush and a great breakfast. The hotel provides a pass to use public transportation during your stay. Only about 4 tram stops from the hotel to city center.

If you search “Bern Hotel” on the RS travel forum you will see other recommendations.

Thanks everyone for your interesting ideas. Chris, the ideal hotel would be city center on the water with breakfast. Emma

Hotel Merian: http://hotel-merian-am-rhein.basel-hotels.net/en/
East West Hotel: https://www.hotelbasel.ch/
Hotel Krafft: https://www.krafftbasel.ch/en/home/

Photo here: https://static.panoramio.com.storage.googleapis.com/photos/large/774112.jpg
Hotel Merian is the white building immediately to the right of the bridge. The other two are further to the right.
But, you will probably be paying for location.

If budget is really no object, there is the most expensive hotel in Basel in the best location on the other bank of the river: https://www.lestroisrois.com/en/hotel
The hotel even has its own Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Les_Trois_Rois

Thanks everyone. Chris, terrific choices here. Be Well, Emma

Thanks everyone. Chris, terrific choices here. Be Well, Emma

We stayed at Motel One in Basel and were very happy with it. It was in a traffic hub and very close to the Munster. I'm not sure when you are going but we were there in a "heat wave" which I understand is uncommon. We were happy that the newly renovated Motel One had air conditioning. https://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/basel/hotel-basel/ . We felt it was very economically priced.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Bern Westside. There’s a train/tram immediately in front of the hotel, a 10 minute ride out of the center. Very well located.

I will be in Basel in July 2018. Will rooms be difficult to get just before the festival? I have the previous suggestions from other responses. Also, I will have a car. Where to park? Do hotels have parking?

Deborah, the problem with asking a question on somebody else's thread is that you don't get an e-mail automatically when it is answered. So I will also sent you an e-mail with this answer.
I am not sure which festival you are referring to in July, it is usually big trade exhibitions on at the Messe (Exhibition Centre) which cause hotels to book up. Hotel prices during these events increase, and can double. All I can suggest is to book early.
Look on the aforementioned official site: https://www.basel.com/en

Parking a car in Basel is a problem. The city centre is car-free, and most hotels do not have parking. There are various underground parking places around the centre. I suggest you look on the website of each hotel you are considering, they usually explain the nearest parking.
A list of all car parks around Basel city centre is here: http://www.parkleitsystem-basel.ch/status.php It shows the current number of free places and links to the details for each car park. Expect to pay CHF25+ for 24 hours.

While you are staying in a hotel in Basel city you get a card for free public transport in Basel and suburbs. So you don't need your car.