Room type: Deluxe Plus King

Setting: The Schweizerhof is located right next to the Berne train station, in easy walking distance to the old town. Given its location, there can be a bit of noise at night. Despite good soundproofing don’t expect pin drop quiet. Also, views are of the train station and neighboring buildings. Fine, but not scenic.
The hotel originally opened in 1913 Inside, it has been completely refurbished after having been taken over by Qatar in 2011. It is part of the Murwab Collection of hotels (including one other hotel in Switzerland and a few hotels in Qatar). At 99 rooms, I would say it is medium-sized – it has a slightly boutiquey feel, but not quite.
Interior design is contemporary (done by MVK design). The lobby area is quite nice, although very compact.

Room: We were happy with our Deluxe Plus King room. It was spacious enough (34 sqm). Finishes were of good quality – we especially liked the herringbone wood floor. The bathroom was windowed, with double sinks, large tub and separate shower. The minibar was complimentary, and there was also a Nespresso machine. There is a sofa and a desk with all the required electrical outlets in the right places.

Food: Breakfast is ŕ-la-carte, taken in Jack’s Brasserie. Ambience is nice, it is an original French-style brasserie with wood paneling and leather benches. Food quality is good, nice eggs benedict and waffles.
In the evening Jack’s is a 14 Gault Millau points restaurant, serving French bistrot fare. Its kitchen is also responsible for room service, which we found very solid – if you are hungry, try the huge veal schnitzel.
On the hotel’s rooftop, there is the Sky Terrace, open in good weather. It enjoys a nice view of Berne towards the Alps, which is especially nice at sunset. It is mostly a bar, with lounge seating, but there are also a few tables for dining. The menu consists essentially of salads and grilled dishes prepared directly at the table. Reservations are recommended – they do their best to accommodate hotel guests, but the place is small and fills up quickly.

Spa: There is a spa, but we didn’t visit it, so no comment.

Service: Service was fine throughout. The GM is present. Housekeeping worked very well, with turndown performed consistently at the right time when we were out for dinner. We received a nice welcome amenity (fruit platter), and complimentary public transport passes. Our child received a tiger-themed amenity (stuffed animal, wash cloth, towel), which she liked.
Small hiccup – they made us wait for >30 minutes for our luggage on check-out, and my increasingly impatient complaints were just met with promises that it will arrive soon.

Overall: A fine stay, especially the hard product is good. The local contender in Berne is the Bellevue Palace, right next to the Swiss parliament building. I chose not to book it as I felt rooms look a bit tired even on their own website pictures. However, it comes with a view towards the river Aare and the Alps, a restaurant with a terrace with the same views, and grand public areas, so I might reconsider next time.