Your stay — Hotel Weisses Kreuz
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The Property — Hotel Weisses Kreuz
A 300-year-old coaching inn on Solothurn's main square, with uneven wooden stairs, a creaky charm, and surprisingly light rooms overlooking the Baroque facades. The lobby smells of beeswax and fresh coffee, with a tiny reception desk that feels like it's been there since 1750. It suits travellers who want to be at the centre of things, don't mind a basic breakfast (decent bread, good jam), and prefer character over boutique gloss.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn was settled by the Romans as *Salodurum*, but its real splurge came from 1530, when it became the permanent seat of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederacy. The city used that French money to rebuild in an Italianate Baroque style, earning the nickname 'the most beautiful Baroque city in Switzerland'. The old town is a near-perfect grid of 11 squares and 11 fountains, a medieval city plan that still shapes the daily rhythm. Today it's the canton's capital known for being sleepy, proud, and blessedly free of the tourist hordes that clog Bern or Lucerne.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
May, June, September – warm enough for riverside walks, few crowds, and the fountains are running. July and August are fine but can be hot in the stone squares.
Peak / festival surge
July sees the Solothurner Städtlifescht (city festival) with music, food stalls, and street performers; hotel prices jump about 20–30% and rooms sell out three to four weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October are the sweet spots for discounts – rooms 15–20% cheaper, still mild (12–18°C), and the autumn light on the Old Town is superb.
Weather & packing
Solothurn sits in a valley that traps humidity, so July afternoons often bring short, intense thunderstorms. Pack a packable rain jacket and closed-toe shoes – you'll want to walk along the Aare riverbanks even after a downpour.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- The Aare river promenade between Solothurn and the nearby village of Lüsslingen has been fully reopened after the 2021 flood repairs, making the riverside walk safe and clear for summer 2026.
- The city's indoor swimming pool (Freibad West) closed for renovation in late 2025; if you want a dip in July, head to the free public bathing spot at 'Badi Solothurn' on the river – it's a local's favourite and costs just a few francs.
- The restaurant at the Hotel Weisses Kreuz now serves breakfast until 10:30 on Saturdays in July, a small change but helpful if you're planning a lie-in after the Friday evening Städtlifescht concerts.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Weisses Kreuz, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These are high enough to avoid street-level bustle on Baselstrasse and tend to be quieter. Upper floors also get better natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (ground floor) due to street noise. Also skip rooms directly above the restaurant or bar on the first floor, especially on weekends when local crowds gather.
Best views
Ask for a room facing the rear courtyard or the side street (Zuchwilerstrasse) for a quieter outlook with partial views of the old town rooftops. Front-facing rooms on Baselstrasse get street views but with noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest. They're above the main footfall and offer some buffer from Baselstrasse traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on Baselstrasse, a main road into Solothurn, so trams run past from around 6am to midnight. The restaurant/bar on the ground floor can generate chatter and kitchen sounds until late, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Insider tips
1. Parking is scarce: use the 'Parkhaus Kreuz' public garage a 3-minute walk away, or ask reception for a resident parking permit on arrival. 2. Check-in is at the ground-floor bar/restaurant; requesting a later check-in (after 6pm) means fewer queue issues.
- 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 — Hotel Weisses Kreuz
Free Wi-Fi throughout; sufficient for browsing and emails (no speed advertised)
No lift; three floors accessible only via stairs (historic building with no elevator)
Physical newspapers (Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Solothurner Zeitung) at breakfast area; no digital newsstand or in-room newspapers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available at no cost from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, later subject to CHF 30 fee
Free baggage storage at reception for same-day drop-off and pick-up
No step-free access; a single step at entrance; no lift and narrow staircases; rooms on ground floor available to book, but no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parkhaus Hauptgasse, 50 metres away, CHF 18 per night (24h). No EV charging on hotel property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee required at booking; CHF 100 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: katholische Kirche (133 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Reformierte Kirche (499 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: FMG Laufental-Thierstein (713 m · ~9 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Kantonalbank — 64 m · ~1 min walk
Schwarzbubenapotheke — 53 m · ~1 min walk
Breitenbach Dorfplatz — 97 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at train stations or tourist areas as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Twint) are common. Cash is still needed for small purchases or at markets.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; rounding up the bill (e.g., CHF 47 to CHF 50) is standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff do not expect tips, but rounding up or leaving small change is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or filter coffee from a bakery or café kiosk costs around CHF 4–5.
A lunch menu at a bakery or cafeteria-style restaurant (e.g., soup + sandwich) costs about CHF 15–20.
A main course at a mid-range restaurant costs between CHF 25–35; a fixed-price menu may start at CHF 30.
Solothurn has limited street food; head to the Marktplatz on Saturday morning for farmers' market snacks like sausages, cheese, or roasted nuts. Weekend events sometimes have food stalls.
Common budget supermarkets are Coop, Migros, and Lidl (occasionally Aldi). They have good own-brand options.
For affordable clothes, visit the Migros or Coop city branches which carry basics, or the larger shopping centres outside the old town, like the Solothurn shopping centre at the train station.
Cheapest way around is walking within the compact old town. For longer trips, a single bus ticket costs CHF 3–5; a day pass (Tageskarte) for the city zone is about CHF 8–9. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train (about 1 hour) – cheapest advance Saver Day Pass deals start around CHF 29.
1. Buy a Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass for longer stays and day trips – it covers trains, buses, and boats. 2. Tap water is safe and free – refill your bottle at public fountains. 3. Eat lunch at bakery counters or supermarket delis rather than sit-down restaurants.
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 Hotel Weisses Kreuz
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Kantonalbank — 64 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Schwarzbubenapotheke — 53 m · ~1 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 Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These are high enough to avoid street-level bustle on Baselstrasse and tend to be quieter. Upper floors also get better natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (ground floor) due to street noise. Also skip rooms directly above the restaurant or bar on the first floor, especially on weekends when local crowds gather.
Is Hotel Weisses Kreuz noisy?
The hotel is on Baselstrasse, a main road into Solothurn, so trams run past from around 6am to midnight. The restaurant/bar on the ground floor can generate chatter and kitchen sounds until late, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
Ask for a room facing the rear courtyard or the side street (Zuchwilerstrasse) for a quieter outlook with partial views of the old town rooftops. Front-facing rooms on Baselstrasse get street views but with noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
1. Parking is scarce: use the 'Parkhaus Kreuz' public garage a 3-minute walk away, or ask reception for a resident parking permit on arrival. 2. Check-in is at the ground-floor bar/restaurant; requesting a later check-in (after 6pm) means fewer queue issues.
What time is check-in at Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
Check-in at Hotel Weisses Kreuz is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Weisses Kreuz have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; sufficient for browsing and emails (no speed advertised)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
CHF 2.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
A lunch menu at a bakery or cafeteria-style restaurant (e.g., soup + sandwich) costs about CHF 15–20.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Weisses Kreuz?
Cheapest way around is walking within the compact old town. For longer trips, a single bus ticket costs CHF 3–5; a day pass (Tageskarte) for the city zone is about CHF 8–9. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train (about 1 hour) – cheapest advance Saver Day Pass deals start around CHF 29.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
May, June, September – warm enough for riverside walks, few crowds, and the fountains are running. July and August are fine but can be hot in the stone squares.
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.