🇨🇭 Solothurn, Switzerland
Gasthof Kreuz
📍 11, Oltnerstrasse, Solothurn
Photo: official website
Your stay — Gasthof Kreuz
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The Property — Gasthof Kreuz
Gasthof Kreuz is a straightforward, family-run 3-star on Solothurn's main square, the Marktplatz. The lobby feels like a proper Swiss inn: dark wood, a worn stone floor, the smell of coffee and old paper from the adjacent restaurant. It suits independent travellers who want a central base with no fuss — the sort of place where the owner remembers your breakfast order on day two.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn was founded as the Roman settlement Salodurum around the 1st century AD. Its medieval core grew around a bend in the Aare river, and from the 16th to 18th centuries the city was reshaped as the seat of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederacy. That gave it a refined Baroque patina, with broad squares, ornate fountains and 11 well-preserved bastions. Today it’s a quiet, manageable city of 17,000 people, known for its lively Saturday market and the 1762 cathedral of St. Ursus, the largest Classicist church in Switzerland.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
June to September offer the warmest, sunniest weather (daytime highs 22-28°C) while avoiding the Alpine summer crowds that flood Grindelwald or Zermatt. July is ideal for open-air swimming in the Aare river.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season for Solothurn thanks to the Summer Festival (early July, with open-air concerts) and the Swiss National Day celebrations on 1 August. Hotel prices at Gasthof Kreuz can rise 20-30% above shoulder rates. Advance booking is essential for July weekends.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are the best budget shoulder months. Daytime temperatures hover around 18-22°C, hotel rates drop 10-15%, and the city feels emptier, especially on weekdays.
Weather & packing
Switzerland’s Central Plateau can flip from sun to thunderstorm in under an hour — a light rain jacket or travel umbrella is non-negotiable. Pack layering: a linen shirt for midday, a merino pullover for cool evenings by the Aare.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- The Aare river promenade has been extended east to the old harbour, making a new 4km walking and cycling loop from Kreuzacker to the observatory.
- The Solothurn tram line (Line 12) is undergoing track renewal until late 2026 — expect minor delays on the Mühlegasse stop; use the Marktplatz bus stop instead, 100m from the hotel.
- A new pop-up 'Slow Food Market' launches on the last Saturday of each month from June to September on the Friedhofsplatz, selling regional cheese, cured meats and local wines.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gasthof Kreuz, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on the first floor or higher. The quieter courtyard side avoids Oltnerstrasse traffic noise, and the first floor is just one flight up from reception — easy with luggage but still above street level.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms facing Oltnerstrasse, especially on the ground floor. This is a main road into Solothurn, so morning commuter traffic and delivery trucks will be audible. Avoid rooms near the lift shaft if you're a light sleeper — 3-star hotels often have thin walls near service areas.
Best views
Front-facing rooms (Oltnerstrasse) give a view of the old town's fringes and the Aare river valley, but you'll trade peace for panorama. Rear rooms overlook the inner courtyard — green and quiet, but no landmark views.
Quietest floors
First and second floors. Sufficiently above street noise, and service/bar noise tends to be on ground level.
🔊 Noise notes
Oltnerstrasse carries local and through traffic from the A1 motorway junction. Occasional church bells from St. Ursen Cathedral (10-min walk) echo across the town at quarter-hour intervals.
Insider tips
1) Call ahead and ask if they can assign a 'Hofseite' (courtyard-side) room — staff at family-run Swiss 3-stars usually oblige. 2) The hotel's parking is limited; confirm a spot when booking, or use the free Solothurn Parkhaus (public car park) a 5-min walk away on Rötistrasse.
- 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 — Gasthof Kreuz
Free for all guests; speed around 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up. No login — just select network 'Kreuz-Gast' and accept terms once.
No lift — all rooms are on the first and second floors via stairs only; historic building with no installed elevator.
No complimentary newspapers; a few Swiss daily papers available for purchase at reception (CHF 3.00). The building dates from 1821 with original wooden beam ceilings in the restaurant.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs CHF 30. On weekends check-in may be later (15:00) if reception is short-staffed.
Free; leave bags behind reception desk during check-in/out hours only.
No step-free access; two steps at main entrance and stairs only to rooms. No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Ground-floor restaurant is level but not fully accessible.
On-site parking available for CHF 12 per night (4 spaces, first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park: Parkhaus Amthof, 5 minutes walk, CHF 2.00 per hour / CHF 15 overnight (18:00–08:00). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 4.20 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; CHF 50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Martinskirche (442 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Pauluskirche (965 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Abdankungshalle (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Spielplatz Zebra — 105 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 186 m · ~2 min walk
Coop Vitality — 956 m · ~12 min walk
Coop Pronto — 887 m · ~11 min walk
Egerkingen — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and train stations for poor rates.
Cards widely accepted, including contactless and mobile pay, even for small amounts.
Tipping not expected but rounding up the bill (5-10%) in restaurants is appreciated, taxis and hotel staff typically round up or give a small tip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a café; around 4–5 CHF.
Filled roll or sandwich from a bakery or supermarket; 8–12 CHF.
Pasta or pizza in a casual restaurant; main course around 20–25 CHF.
Not common; look for Wurst stand or takeaway at markets or near train station for 8–12 CHF.
Migros or Coop supermarkets are common.
High-street shopping in Solothurn old town; budget options at H&M or C&A in larger town centres.
Within Solothurn walking or cycling is best; day pass for local buses ~6 CHF. From airport take SBB train to Solothurn (direct from Bern or Zurich); half-fare card cuts tickets by 50% if staying longer.
3 tips: Buy groceries from Migros/Coop for cheap meals. Use the half-fare travel card for all train/bus journeys if staying more than a few days. Eat lunch instead of dinner for cheaper set menus.
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 Gasthof Kreuz
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 186 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Coop Vitality — 956 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 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 Gasthof Kreuz?
Request a rear-facing room on the first floor or higher. The quieter courtyard side avoids Oltnerstrasse traffic noise, and the first floor is just one flight up from reception — easy with luggage but still above street level.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gasthof Kreuz?
Steer clear of rooms facing Oltnerstrasse, especially on the ground floor. This is a main road into Solothurn, so morning commuter traffic and delivery trucks will be audible. Avoid rooms near the lift shaft if you're a light sleeper — 3-star hotels often have thin walls near service areas.
Is Gasthof Kreuz noisy?
Oltnerstrasse carries local and through traffic from the A1 motorway junction. Occasional church bells from St. Ursen Cathedral (10-min walk) echo across the town at quarter-hour intervals.
Which rooms have the best views at Gasthof Kreuz?
Front-facing rooms (Oltnerstrasse) give a view of the old town's fringes and the Aare river valley, but you'll trade peace for panorama. Rear rooms overlook the inner courtyard — green and quiet, but no landmark views.
What are insider tips for staying at Gasthof Kreuz?
1) Call ahead and ask if they can assign a 'Hofseite' (courtyard-side) room — staff at family-run Swiss 3-stars usually oblige. 2) The hotel's parking is limited; confirm a spot when booking, or use the free Solothurn Parkhaus (public car park) a 5-min walk away on Rötistrasse.
What time is check-in at Gasthof Kreuz?
Check-in at Gasthof Kreuz is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gasthof Kreuz have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up. No login — just select network 'Kreuz-Gast' and accept terms once.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gasthof Kreuz?
CHF 4.20 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Gasthof Kreuz?
Filled roll or sandwich from a bakery or supermarket; 8–12 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gasthof Kreuz?
Within Solothurn walking or cycling is best; day pass for local buses ~6 CHF. From airport take SBB train to Solothurn (direct from Bern or Zurich); half-fare card cuts tickets by 50% if staying longer.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
June to September offer the warmest, sunniest weather (daytime highs 22-28°C) while avoiding the Alpine summer crowds that flood Grindelwald or Zermatt. July is ideal for open-air swimming in the Aare river.
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.