Riverside Hotel Merian - Opening 2026 | City stay in Basel | Book Now

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Key details

About the Hotel

Rheingasse 2, Basel, Switzerland, 4056

Next to the Old Town Kleinbasel

Very good

7.6

6.3

/10

2.3

Loved by Riverside Hotel Merian guests

Amazing river view
Free public transport
Cute staff
Tasty coffee
Clean hotel

"Terrific view of the river from our balcony."

Kristine from United States

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"Had a great view of the Rhine River from our room."

EKRK from Germany

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"Location perfect right on the Rhine and gated underground parking available which was fantastic."

Adam from United Kingdom

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Rooms & Amenities

Sorell Hotel Merian offers 65 rooms with sound-insulated walls, minibars, and free WiFi. Each room includes a private bathroom with a shower or bath, a flat-screen TV, and a safe. Some rooms feature river views or balconies overlooking the Rhine.

Dining at Brasserie Spitz

The hotel's restaurant, Brasserie Spitz, serves some of the best fish dishes in Basel. The breakfast buffet is open to external guests. The terrace provides views of Basel Cathedral.

Leisure & Facilities

The hotel includes a lounge with daily newspapers, a café, a bar, and a nightclub. A small supermarket, a hairdresser's salon, and a games room are also available. Guests receive a BaselCard for free public transport during their stay.

Central Basel Location

The hotel is in the heart of Basel, near the Middle Bridge. It's a short walk to the market square in the old town, the Basel Historical Museum, and the Swiss Architecture Museum. The Novartis Campus is nearby.

Services & Accessibility

The hotel features a 24-hour reception, a business center, and express check-out. Banqueting halls and seminar rooms are available for events. Free public transport from Basel's train station and airport is included with booking confirmation.

Must-do experiences

Visit Fondation Beyeler for stunning modern art in a beautiful park.
Take a stroll through Kleinbasel for picturesque riverside views.
Savor a Basler Läckerli at Confiserie Schiesser, a local favorite.
Explore the Tinguely Museum for whimsical art and fascinating designs.
Join the food market at Markthalle for diverse culinary delights.

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

River Double Room Balcony

2 persons

240 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Heating

Bathtub

room details

Small Single Room

2 persons

230 sq. feet

1 Single bed

Shower

Heating

room details

River Double Room

2 persons

240 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Heating

Bathtub

room details

River Junior Suite

2 persons

485 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.3/10Review score

General

Non-smoking property
Free Wi-Fi
Express check-in/ -out
Lift
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Services

Housekeeping

Room features

Heating
In-room desk

Bathroom

Private bathroom
Bath/ Shower
Hair dryer
Towels
Toilet

Bedroom

Bed linen

Riverside Hotel Merian Location

Rheingasse 2, Basel, Switzerland, 4056

Map view

Rheingasse 2, Basel, Switzerland, 4056

City landmarks

Zoo

Zoo Basel

1.3 mi

Museum

Basel Historical Museum

3300 ft

Church

Basler Munster

2500 ft

Museum

Fine Arts Museum Basel

3400 ft

Bus Station

Gate of Spalen

3100 ft

Square

Muensterplatz

2300 ft

Event hall

Congress Center Basel

2600 ft

Museum

Basel Paper Mill Museum

4300 ft

Museum

Jean Tinguely Museum

1.1 mi

Bridge

Middle Bridge

3700 ft

Museum

Swiss Architecture Museum

3700 ft

Event hall

Messe Basel

2700 ft

Botanical Garden

University of Basel Botanical Garden

3300 ft

Landmark

Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection

5000 ft

Museum

Toy Worlds Museum Basel

3300 ft

Park

Tierpark Lange Erlen

1.7 mi

Landmark

Old Town stroll

2700 ft

Fountain

Tinguely Brunnen

3700 ft

Museum

Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel

1.1 mi

Nearby

Museum

Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel

500 ft

Museum

Museum Klingental

800 ft

Public Building

Rathaus

1600 ft

Museum

Natural History Museum of Basel

1800 ft

Unterer Rheinweg 10

Helvetia on a journey

300 ft

Event hall

Ausstellungsraum Klingental

500 ft

Museum

Museum of Cultures

1300 ft

Clarapl. 6

Clarakirche Basel

900 ft

Pfalz

1500 ft

Marktplatz

Altstadt-Spaziergange durch Basel

1700 ft

Church

Martinskirche

1000 ft

Restaurants

Ufer7 Basel

400 ft

Untere Rheingasse 11

East-West Hotel Restaurant

200 ft

Rheingasse 8

Apawi

200 ft

Rheingasse 8

Acero Eiscafe

300 ft

Rheingasse 13

Grenzwert Bar

300 ft

Rheingasse 17

Lily's

900 ft

Rebgasse 1 Am Claraplatz

Roter Baren

600 ft

Ochsengasse 17 4058 Basel

Sapori del Sud 2

300 ft

Rheingasse 23

Explore Basel

Basel Historical Museum

12 minutes' walk

Rich in history, this museum showcases Basel's cultural heritage with diverse exhibitions. Free admission days available.

Basel Munster

10 minutes' walk

A stunning Gothic cathedral with breathtaking views from its towers. Noteworthy for its beautiful stained glass windows.

Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel

2 minutes' walk

Offers insights into historical pharmacy practices. Features rare artifacts and intriguing exhibitions.

Fine Arts Museum Basel

13 minutes' walk

Home to an extensive collection of artworks from the Renaissance to contemporary art. Guided tours are offered.

Kannenfeldpark

25 minutes' walk

A beautiful park perfect for picnics and leisurely strolls. Ideal for families and those seeking a relaxing escape.

Zoo Basel

25 minutes' walk

Switzerland's oldest zoo, featuring a wide variety of animals. A great adventure for thrill-seekers and families alike.

Ufer7 Basel

2 minutes' walk

Stylish riverside restaurant offering Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine. Known for seafood dishes and a lovely outdoor terrace.

Apawi

1 minute' walk

Trendy spot for Asian-inspired dishes and sushi. Casual atmosphere and great for groups; vegetarian options available.

Grenzwert Bar

1 minute' walk

Charming local bar featuring live music events and a relaxed vibe. Great place for cocktails and socializing.

Congress Center Basel

10 minutes' walk

Host to various events, from concerts to conferences. Check the schedule for family-friendly shows and local performances.

Getting around

City Centre

Basel5 min · 1400 ft

Airports

Kloten (ZRH)135 min · 55.8 mi

Belp (BRN)165 min · 68.1 mi

Train

Badischer Bahnhof18 min · 5000 ft

Basel SBB18 min · 5000 ft

Bus

Bus stop2 min · 400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Pets

Pets allowed on request at the price of .

Languages

English, German

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

Former name

merian am rhein

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Merian Am Rhein enjoys an amazing location, with many guests appreciating its proximity to the city center, reachable within a short walk. Some rooms offer a balcony with great views of the Rhine River, allowing guests to enjoy Basel. The rooms are spacious and some found the decor outdated, but conveniences such as self-check-in, luggage lockers, and a communal room with a fridge and coffee machine enhance the experience; plus, a coffee and croissant is offered in the morning.

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Review score

Based on 1538 verified reviews

6.9/10

Nice

64%

Recommend

Location

9.3/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.4/10

Paid Wi-Fi

6.4/10

Staff

6.9/10

Pros

Perfect location

Comfortable mattresses

Fresh breakfast

Helpful staff

Cons

No air conditioning

Expensive stay

Dirty community room

based on 358 reviews

3.5/5

Charles from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room Superior Riverview

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:December 19, 2025

8.5/10

Excellent Location and Comfortable Stay

comfortable bedeasy check-inluggage storage

The bed was very comfortable, and I slept soundly. Self-check-in was easy even late at night. The entrance is around the rear of the building. There is a communal room with a fridge and an honesty box offering water, beer, and Red Bull. there is a coffee machine available. Luggage storage lockers are available in the hallway. This made arrival and departure smooth.

The room lacked air conditioning. It was uncomfortably warm .

Facilities

9/10

The hotel provides a communal space with a refrigerator, honesty box, and a coffee machine. there are lockers available for storing luggage, and I found them quite convenient .

Service

8/10

Self-check-in was efficient. It allowed a quick arrival even at a late hour. The staff maintained cleanliness, and any issues were addressed promptly. This.

0 Helpful

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samuel from germany

Single

single room superior riverview

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:November 23, 2025

8.8/10

smooth stay by the rhine

river viewfree coffeefast self-check-incentral location

The room had a river view and it was amazing any time. the hotel provided free coffee, tea, and croissants each morning. The croissants tasted good. self-check-in was simple and fast to navigate for an easy experience. the location felt quite central, made exploring the area easy.

the hairdryer in the room barely worked, made drying my hair take a very long time.

Location

9/10

The hotel offers excellent proximity to the river rhine. The central location is convenient. tram connections are readily available, offering quick transport. the hotel is also close to main attractions.

Service

8/10

the hotel provides self-check-in and self-check-out services. assistance is available via phone for any inquiries, though no personnel is on site. i received quick and helpful responses to all questions.

Rooms

9/10

my room included a comfortable bed and a quiet atmosphere. the room on the third floor offered a balcony with a lovely river view. i could use earplugs if noise was an issue.

Dining

9/10

the hotel offers complimentary coffee, tea and croissants. this small offering is available in a dedicated space. there is not a full breakfast available.

0 Helpful

Chris from United Kingdom

Couple

Double Room Superior Riverview

4 nights in August 2025

Reviewed:November 10, 2025

9/10

tender rhine escape

perfect locationuseful pass

the location allowed simple access to the river and nearby eateries. the provided free transport pass proved useful for exploring. i especially valued the free coffee available each morning, and a simple croissant was a thoughtful touch.

0 Helpful

patrick from ireland

Single

single room standard

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed:September 20, 2025

6/10

acceptable locationoutdated furnitureproper air conditioning

the location was acceptable though i didn't spend much time exploring the area.

The room felt quite outdated. The furniture seemed old and worn. the lack of proper air conditioning made it uncomfortable. it really seemed like a basic setup considering the price.

0 Helpful

evelyn from united kingdom

Single

double room superior riverview

3 nights in June 2025

Reviewed:June 30, 2025

7/10

excellent locationriver viewdifficult processfaulty application

The location was excellent. It was very close to public transportation. the room was spacious, and the view of the river was amazing. I appreciated that.

The self-checking process proved difficult. The application in the lobby wasn't working correctly. it required 30 minutes to register, and assistance was not readily available from staff.

0 Helpful

Questions of the users

About Riverside Hotel Merian - Opening 2026

Is it possible to have two twin beds combined into one in the deluxe double room with a river view? Also, is the hotel within walking distance to the Viking River Cruise dock?

03 February 2024

The two twin beds can be put together, but they remain as separate beds rather than forming a double bed. The Viking River Cruise dock is approximately a 30-minute walk from the hotel.

Are children allowed to stay at the hotel, including those aged 16 and above?

15 March 2024

Yes, children are welcome at the hotel, including those aged 16 and older.

Can the twin beds in our room be combined into a larger bed for our anniversary? Will breakfast be part of our stay?

28 April 2024

The twin beds can be arranged together, but they will not form a single large bed. Breakfast is included during your stay.

Is it allowed to bring dogs to the hotel, and are there any additional charges?

10 May 2024

Dogs are permitted in the hotel, with an extra fee of CHF 20.00 per dog per night. It's advised to inform the hotel prior to arrival.

Is a late checkout option available at the hotel?

01 June 2024

Late checkout can be arranged but is subject to availability.

Is there a service for storing luggage while staying at the hotel?

21 July 2024

Unfortunately, there is no luggage storage service available at this hotel.

Are wheelchair-accessible rooms available for guests with mobility issues?

05 August 2024

Currently, there are no wheelchair-accessible rooms available at the hotel.

What special promotions or packages are available during winter at the hotel?

02 September 2024

The hotel offers a Winter Special that includes unique winter experiences, such as fondue dining with scenic views at the Chalet Züriberg, available from 25 October 2024.

Are there any family-friendly activities or packages at the hotel?

15 October 2024

The hotel provides family-friendly services, ensuring comfort and amenities suitable for families, including spacious rooms and inclusive dining options.

Is breakfast included in the hotel stay, and what are some highlights of the breakfast menu?

30 November 2024

Yes, breakfast is included with the stay. It features homemade jams, freshly baked pastries, and local products sourced from nearby farms.