Written from the iDavos team’s accommodation and logistics specialists.
Davos is a small alpine town that plays several roles at once — Europe's highest town, one of its largest ski regions, and, for one week each January, the host of the World Economic Forum. That mix means the range of places to stay is wider than the town's size suggests: a few five-star hotels, a deep field of comfortable four-star properties, honest mid-range rooms, and a handful of budget and character stays. This guide covers the landscape — how the town is laid out, the hotels by budget, and how to choose for your trip.
First, understand the geography
Davos is really two linked centres strung along one long valley, plus the hillsides above them. Where you stay shapes your whole trip.
| Area | Character | Closest to | Example hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davos Platz | The main hub — most shops, bars, and restaurants; the Congress Centre; the Jakobshorn lift | Congress Centre, nightlife, Jakobshorn | Steigenberger Icon Belvédère, Morosani Schweizerhof, Hard Rock Hotel |
| Davos Dorf | Quieter and more residential, at the foot of the Parsenn; near the lake | Parsenn skiing, a calmer stay | Hotel Flüela, Hotel Seehof, Hotel Meierhof |
| Hillside / above town | Views, peace, and quiet — reached by shuttle or funicular | Scenery and seclusion | Waldhotel Davos, Berghotel Schatzalp, AlpenGold |
The two centres are only a few minutes apart by train or the free local bus, so nothing is truly far — but if walking to the Congress Centre or stepping straight onto the Promenade matters to you, Davos Platz is the safer base.
Five-star luxury
Davos's top tier is small and well-defined:
- Hotel Flüela – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (Davos Dorf) — a historic landmark with the town's largest suites and the Rixos Flüela spa, a short walk from the Parsenn funicular and Davos Dorf station.
- Steigenberger Icon Belvédère (Davos Platz) — the grande dame on the Promenade, open since 1875, central and walkable to the Congress Centre, with an extensive wellness area.
- AlpenGold Hotel (above Davos Dorf) — the distinctive gold tower, design-led and private, with wide valley views.
- Hotel Seehof (Davos Dorf) — by the Parsenn funicular, known for its Michelin-level dining and a state-of-the-art wellness centre.
For the Royal and Presidential suites at the very top of these hotels, see our dedicated guide to the best luxury hotel suites in Davos.
Four-star and upscale
This is the deepest part of the market, and where most visitors end up:
- Morosani Schweizerhof and Morosani Posthotel (Davos Platz) — two central, family-run classics, one traditional and one alpine-modern, both a short walk from the lifts.
- Hard Rock Hotel Davos (Davos Platz) — the central lifestyle option, with music, energy, and a buzzy bar scene.
- AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort — a resort-style hotel known for its large spa.
- Waldhotel Davos (hillside) — a wooded wellness retreat above the town, the former Waldsanatorium linked to Thomas Mann's Magic Mountain.
- Turmhotel Victoria (central) — an intimate, character hotel in a landmark tower.
- Hilton Garden Inn Davos (Promenade) — a modern, reliable, central choice.
- Hotel Grischa (Davos Platz) — stylish and practical, opposite the Davos Platz station, with a wide choice of restaurants.
Three-star and mid-range
Comfortable, well-located, and far easier on the budget outside peak weeks:
- Hotel Ochsen 2 (Davos Platz) — contemporary rooms a few hundred metres from the Davos Platz station.
- Hotel Parsenn (Davos Dorf) — simple and close to the Parsenn funicular.
- Morosani Fiftyone (Davos Platz) — a smart, room-only, self-service option from the Morosani group.
- Hotel Concordia (central) — a rustic, characterful stay with a hearty restaurant.
Budget and character stays
- Hotel Edelweiss — a small, contemporary-boutique option in a quiet part of town.
- Berghotel Schatzalp (hillside) — the Belle Époque former sanatorium reached by its own funicular above Davos Platz; more a distinctive character stay than a budget one, and another of the buildings tied to The Magic Mountain.
- Guesthouses, B&Bs, and self-catering round out the bottom of the market — a sensible route in the shoulder seasons, though the cheapest beds still vanish first during the forum and the ski peaks.
How to choose by trip
- Forum delegates — base in Davos Platz for the Congress Centre and the security perimeter, and book as early as you possibly can. If your team needs space to meet and host, weigh a private apartment or chalet against a block of hotel rooms.
- Skiers — Davos Dorf puts you at the foot of the Parsenn; Davos Platz is best for the Jakobshorn. Ask about ski-to-the-door access if that matters.
- Families — the roomier four-star hotels and self-catering apartments work best; Davos Dorf's calmer streets suit young children.
- Wellness and couples — the spa hotels (Waldhotel, AMERON, Seehof) and the romance of the hillside Schatzalp are the standouts.
When to book
Davos's calendar, not the hotel, sets the price:
- The Annual Meeting (January) is the extreme — the town sells out a year or more ahead, minimum stays apply, and rates peak. Plan far in advance and confirm in writing.
- Christmas, the Spengler Cup, and the February ski peak are the next busiest; book several months ahead.
- The shoulder seasons and summer are relaxed and better value, with rooms available at short notice.
When a hotel isn't the right fit
For many visitors a hotel is exactly right. But when the town is full, or a delegation needs more space, privacy, and the run of a whole property, a private apartment or chalet is the better base: multiple bedrooms, private living and meeting areas, a full kitchen for a private chef, and complete exclusivity — often still available when the marquee hotels are long gone.
Browse verified Davos apartments and chalets, see our luxury apartments and residences, or read the rest of our guides to visiting Davos. Planning a stay? Talk to our team about matching a property to your trip.