Your stay — Alte Brennerei
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The Property — Alte Brennerei
You step off the narrow cobbled street into a former distillery that smells of old timber and coffee. The lobby is small, with exposed brick, a zinc-topped bar and a single vase of local flowers. This is a three-star with character but no frills: clean rooms, solid beds, a decent breakfast of cold cuts and Bircher muesli. It suits the independent traveller who wants to be five minutes from the old town and doesn't need a spa.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn was founded as the Roman settlement Salodurum around 15 BC, strategic at the Aare river crossing. Its medieval core grew under the Holy Roman Empire and later became the residence of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederacy, which brought Baroque palaces and a fortress-church skyline. The city preserves its 16th-century grid of eleven numbered squares and a single main street; the locals claim it is Switzerland's most beautiful Baroque town. Today it remains a quiet administrative and cultural centre, known for its watchmaking history and a relaxed pace that contrasts with nearby Bern.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
July and August for the warmest, sunniest weather with river swimming and terrace life; September for settled conditions and harvest festivals with fewer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak; the Solothurn Film Festival (January) and the Fasnacht carnival (February) also draw crowds. Hotel rates rise by roughly 20-30% in July-August; book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
June and September offer lower prices, milder 20°C days and a fraction of the tourists. May and October are quieter still with some rain risk.
Weather & packing
Solothurn sits in a rain-shadow basin, so it can be surprisingly dry even when nearby Bern is wet. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a packable jumper: July evenings by the Aare can drop to 12°C.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- The Aare river promenade has new walkway sections completed in late 2025, improving access from the old town to the swimming areas by the Bielstrasse bridge.
- Solothurn's main train station is undergoing lift upgrades through early 2027; platform 3 can only be reached via stairs until further notice.
- The weekly Saturday market in the main square now runs until 14:00 rather than 13:00, giving visitors more time for local cheese and wine stalls.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alte Brennerei, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on the second or third floor. These are quieter and away from the street, and the upper floors avoid ground-level foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the front street (Solothurn's main roads can have traffic noise) and ground-floor rooms, as they are closest to the entrance and potential hallway noise.
Best views
Rooms at the rear may overlook a courtyard or quieter local streets, offering a more pleasant outlook than the main road. No river or mountain views are likely given the town location.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are generally the quietest, as they are above street level but not near any roof or attic activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Solothurn's roads, especially during morning and evening rush hours. The Altstadt (old town) area nearby could have restaurant or bar spillover noise on weekends.
Insider tips
1. If you have a car, ask about parking upon booking—many 3-star hotels in Solothurn have limited spaces and charge extra. 2. Request a room on the second floor for the best balance of quiet and accessibility, as lifts may be slow or small in a converted Brennerei building.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alte Brennerei
Free WiFi for all guests, speed around 50 Mbps download; no login, just accept terms on browser. No paid tier.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Digital newspaper via Swiss PressReader on a tablet at reception; no printed papers delivered. The hotel occupies a converted 19th-century distillery – original copper stills are on display in the breakfast room.
Check-in 15:00–21:00; after 21:00 by prior arrangement only. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at CHF 30 per hour until 14:00 maximum.
Free storage before check-in and after check-out; no lockers, items kept behind reception.
Step-free access at main entrance (ramp); lift to all floors. One wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor. No braille signage or hearing loops.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Parkhaus Hauptgasse' at 3 Untere Steingrubenstrasse, 2-minute walk, CHF 18 per night (24h). No EV charging on site; public charger at Solothurn train station (5 mins walk).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% of total stay charged at booking; CHF 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Katholische Kirche St. Pantaleon (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
2000m2 Weltacker — 498 m · ~6 min walk
Generationenplatz Nuglar-St.Pantaleon — 165 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at airports or tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) are common, but carry some cash for small purchases or markets.
Tipping is not mandatory; round up the bill or leave 5-10% for good service in restaurants, taxis, and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or filter coffee from a bakery or café costs around CHF 4-5.
A takeaway sandwich or quiche from a bakery (e.g., at a Coop or Migros takeaway counter) costs about CHF 8-12.
A main course in a casual pizzeria or bistro runs around CHF 18-25.
Look for market stalls on Saturday morning at the weekly market on Marktplatz in Altstadt for sausages, cheese, and baked goods.
Common budget supermarkets are Migros, Coop, and Denner.
For affordable clothing, check the racks at Manor department store or second-hand shops in the old town.
The cheapest way around is walking; for longer trips use the Libero day pass (CHF 9.60 for zone 10). From Zurich Airport, the cheapest option is the direct train (SBB) costing about CHF 25-30 one-way.
Buy groceries and picnic supplies at Migros/Coop instead of eating out; use the SolothurnCard (free from many hotels) for discounts on attractions; drink tap water (safe and free) instead of bottled.
Good to know — Solothurn
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
SolothurnIn Switzerland, 112 works as a general European emergency number. For non-urgent medical help, call 0800 334 334 (medphone). For an emergency doctor at night or weekends, dial 0848 226 226. The local Solothurn police station is on Baselstrasse 53, but use 117 for immediate response.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Solothurn, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alte Brennerei
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Solothurn Hauptbahnhof → Rötihof (cable car base station)
💡 Bus 3 runs a bit more frequently in off-peak hours. Tell the driver you're heading to Hintere Wasserfallen; they might remind you which stop.
Solothurn town centre or station → Rötihof cable car base
💡 Book ahead on +41 32 623 33 33, especially evenings or Sundays. The drive is short but the last cable car up is around 18:00, so time it.
Solothurn Hauptbahnhof → Feldbrunnen-St. Niklaus station + walk
💡 This gets you partway up the valley; you still need a 20-min walk or bus to the Rötihof cable car. Only worthwhile if you fancy a short hike before the climb. Check the cable car schedule first – last departure is 17:30 in low season.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Solothurn Hauptbahnhof
💡 Buy a supersaver ticket online in advance or use the Swiss Travel Pass if you're touring. The train drops you in town, then take bus 2 or 3 up to the Rötihof cable car base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alte Brennerei?
Request a rear-facing room on the second or third floor. These are quieter and away from the street, and the upper floors avoid ground-level foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alte Brennerei?
Avoid rooms facing the front street (Solothurn's main roads can have traffic noise) and ground-floor rooms, as they are closest to the entrance and potential hallway noise.
Is Alte Brennerei noisy?
Street noise from Solothurn's roads, especially during morning and evening rush hours. The Altstadt (old town) area nearby could have restaurant or bar spillover noise on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Alte Brennerei?
Rooms at the rear may overlook a courtyard or quieter local streets, offering a more pleasant outlook than the main road. No river or mountain views are likely given the town location.
What are insider tips for staying at Alte Brennerei?
1. If you have a car, ask about parking upon booking—many 3-star hotels in Solothurn have limited spaces and charge extra. 2. Request a room on the second floor for the best balance of quiet and accessibility, as lifts may be slow or small in a converted Brennerei building.
What time is check-in at Alte Brennerei?
Check-in at Alte Brennerei is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alte Brennerei have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests, speed around 50 Mbps download; no login, just accept terms on browser. No paid tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alte Brennerei?
CHF 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Alte Brennerei?
A takeaway sandwich or quiche from a bakery (e.g., at a Coop or Migros takeaway counter) costs about CHF 8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alte Brennerei?
The cheapest way around is walking; for longer trips use the Libero day pass (CHF 9.60 for zone 10). From Zurich Airport, the cheapest option is the direct train (SBB) costing about CHF 25-30 one-way.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
July and August for the warmest, sunniest weather with river swimming and terrace life; September for settled conditions and harvest festivals with fewer crowds.
Top Attractions in Solothurn
💡 Visit on a weekday morning for a quiet experience. The tower climb costs a small fee but the cathedral interior is free.
💡 Pack lunch from the Migros at Bahnhofplatz. The path continues 2 km to the nature reserve at Stöckli – ideal for a quiet afternoon.
💡 The tower's upper floor is closed to the public but the grounds are free. Best photos at sunset. Combine with a visit to the adjacent Botanical Garden (free, open dawn to dusk).
💡 Pick up a free map from the tourist office at Hauptgasse. The fountains are best seen in the morning when sunlight catches the carvings.
💡 Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month. Otherwise CHF 12. The café next door has decent coffee for CHF 3.