---
type: "Article"
title: "Urban stay at “The Passage” design hotel in Basel"
description: "In March 2014 a four-star urban hotel boasting a prime location in downtown Basel opened its doors: The Passage. It’s the hotel’s location that gives it this particular name, since it stands on the boundary of the old town and the new city of Basel."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/urban-stay-the-passage-hotel-basel"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 8
tags: ["Basel", "Design", "Shopping", "Switzerland"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/switzerland"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/shopping"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/review"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:18:43+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2014-05-20T02:19:43+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: urban-stay-the-passage-hotel-basel.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:18:43+00:00
---

# Urban stay at “The Passage” design hotel in Basel

> The Passage is a four-star design hotel that opened in March 2014 on the boundary of Basel's old town and new city, offering a prime downtown location within walking distance of museums, theatres, and major attractions.

## Destination
Downtown Basel, Switzerland, on the border between the old town and the new city, near Barfüsserplatz.

## Why visit
Basel is both a leading trade fair and congress centre and the cultural capital of Switzerland, home to world-class events like Art Basel and Baselworld, plus museums, theatres, and a picturesque old town.

## What to see
- **Barfüsserplatz** — Lively square near the hotel with several restaurants and bars.
- **Basel Old Town** — Picturesque historic centre worth strolling even on a short visit.
- **Tinguely Fountain** — Shallow fountain by artist Jean Tinguely located in the city.
- **Art Basel** — The largest art fair in the world, held annually in Basel.
- **Baselworld** — World trade fair for watches and jewellery.

## What to do
- **Visit museums and theatres** — Basel has an exceptional cultural offering including multiple museums and a theatre house.
- **Stroll the old town** — The historic old town is compact and walkable from the hotel.

## Good to know
The hotel has no traditional restaurant; breakfast is served at the bar lounge. Rooms feature iPod docking stations, Nespresso machines, walk-in showers, and complimentary L'Occitane toiletries. A conference room and fitness centre are available on site.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Alpenlachs-Eismeersaibling-Absintheis-Gourmet-Festival.jpg"
    caption: "Alpine salmon: Warm Arctic char with cold absinthe ice cream"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Zhero-Grill-Restaurant-Kappl.jpg"
    caption: "Table in the Zhero Grill restaurant"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Zhero-Hotelbeleuchtung-nachts.jpg"
    caption: "Nighttime façade of the Zhero Hotel"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6247207382_5e5caafbe7_b.jpg"
    caption: "Restaurant in the Relais Histò Culti"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6246687823_775a21048f_b.jpg"
    caption: "Outdoor Pool at Relais Histò"
```