Les Trois Rois

Sleep where Napoleon slept. Bring money. :)

I didn't stay at Les Trois Rois (The Three Kings) hotel in Basel, but I passed by during my walks around town with MYNDO. I can tell you that this is one serious luxury hotel, housed in a historic building right down on the Rhine. The hotel's guest car(s) are Bentleys.

Among the famous guests who have stayed at the hotel are Napoleon I, Queen Elizabeth II, Thomas Mann and Pable Picasso. And the history of the hotel is a long one, with the first mention of its existence dating to the 1680s. In the early 1800s, it served as a "gentlemen's residence". By projection, that would make Napoleon a "gentleman"? Not sure if the rest of continental Europe would agree, but I digress. In 1844, Les Trois Rois became officially a hotel and has remained so to this day. In 2000, it joined the prestigious Richemond Hotels group.

Unique Quality: First of all, I've already mentioned the Bentleys that serve as the hotel guest cars.

The rooms are all top-notch, with the suites being of particular grandeur and interest. Focusing back on our boy Napoleon, the "Napoleon Suite" has two huge rooms, along with objects'd arte and stuccoed walls of note.

The "Les Trois Rois" suite has an open-air jacuzzi, which could be wonderful with the right bottle of wine + a great roomate. :) I'd think that summertime would be a better time for such endeavors, though.

One thing that would tick me off just a bit.... only the Napoleon and Les Trois Rois suite prices include breakfast. Otherwise, the charge for your morning nibble is 40 Swiss Francs, or about 30 Euros. I'd hope it was darned good for that tariff. And quite honestly, if you're already dropping 500 Euros for a double room, I'd think they could come up with breakfast gratis. Just my opinion.

Then again, someone's got to pay for those Bentleys. :)

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Les Trois Rois Photo: Les Trois Rois Hotel - where Napoleon slept

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