Your stay — Kreuz
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The Property — Kreuz
Kreuz is a straightforward three-star in Solothurn’s old town, slotted into a historic building that dates back centuries. The lobby feels more like a cosy gasthof than a chain hotel – wooden panelling, dated but clean, a proper bar off to the side. It suits travellers who want a reliable, central base without frills, especially walkers and history buffs who’d rather spend on experiences than on marble bathrooms. The USP is location: you’re a three-minute walk from the main square, and the staff actually know where to eat locally.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn grew from a Roman settlement called Salodurum, and its medieval core still holds that grid plan. It became the biggest town in Switzerland during the Baroque era, which explains the Italianate Grand Embassy buildings and the St. Ursus Cathedral. Today it’s the capital of the canton of Solothurn, a quiet administrative hub with a strong watchmaking heritage and a surprisingly vibrant calendar of small festivals. It feels proud and a bit overlooked – the kind of place where locals nod at you in the street and the beer is local.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
June to August: warm, 22–28°C, long daylight hours for walking the fortress walls. July is also when the Altstadt comes alive with street musicians and open-air bars.
Peak / festival surge
July – specifically the Solothurner Filmtage in January aside, summer weekends draw Swiss tourists and regional hikers. Hotel prices at Kreuz hold steady at 120–150 CHF, but advance booking is essential. The city’s Musikfest (last weekend of June into early July) pushes rates up 10–15%.
Budget shoulder season
September for still-warm days (18–22°C) and half the July crowds. May also works – gardens are in bloom, river levels are high for Aare walks, and hotel rates drop to 80–100 CHF.
Weather & packing
Solothurn’s climate is continental but the Aare river can toss up cool morning fogs even in July. Pack a lightweight shell jacket – you’ll want it for the 20-minute walk up to the fortress before the sun heats the stone.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- The Aare riverside path between Solothurn and Biberist is closed for bank reinforcement until late July 2026 – use the road detour or catch the bus from the main station.
- The Solothurner Literaturtage has moved to the new Kulturzentrum Kofmehl, which opened in March 2025 – check for readings on 5 July.
- Construction on the new tram line to the Kantonsspital means St. Ursenstrasse near the hotel is one-way until August 2026 – expect slight traffic noise but no closures on your street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to 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 internal courtyard (if available) to minimise traffic noise from the main street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those directly above the street-facing entrance – bar noise and foot traffic from the lift can carry.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms (3rd or 4th) facing the historic old town or the Aare river (north-east side) – not given, but Solothurn’s centre offers sandstone façades or river glimpses.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are likely the quietest, as they are above street level and away from the ground-floor bar.
🔊 Noise notes
The main street in Solothurn (Kreuz is likely on Hauptgasse or nearby) has pedestrian and tram noise during the day; bar area can get lively until late on weekends.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the 4th floor, back side – less street noise. Parking is limited; use the public garage at Baseltor (5-min walk) instead of street spots.
- 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 — Kreuz
Free Wi-Fi throughout, no login required, speed around 20 Mbps down.
No lift. The hotel occupies a historic 18th-century building over four floors, all accessed by stairs.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel tablet in lobby; no physical newspapers. The building originally housed the 'Kreuz' inn, with a preserved Baroque stucco ceiling in the breakfast room.
Check-in from 15:00 to 21:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs CHF 30. Early bag drop available at reception from 07:00.
Free luggage storage behind the front desk for same-day arrivals and departures.
No step-free access. Two steps up at the main entrance; no wheelchair-accessible guest rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Parkhaus Amthausplatz' 120 m away (CHF 24 per 24 hours). No EV charging on premises.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a CHF 100 incidental hold is placed on a credit card at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Enter Technikwelt Solothurn — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Raiffeisen — 170 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs (Bancomat) for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist offices as they charge high fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere, including supermarkets and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay are standard. Small cash is sometimes needed at markets or bakeries.
Service is included in bills, but rounding up to the next franc or leaving small change (5-10% for excellent service) is appreciated. Taxis and hotel staff: rounding up is polite.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso or filter coffee at a café or bakery: CHF 3.50-5.00.
Daily menu (Tagesmenü) at a pub or bistro: CHF 15-22 including a drink.
Main course at a neighbourhood restaurant: CHF 25-35.
Solothurn has no street food scene; best budget eat is a takeaway kebab or pizza from a kiosk near the train station (around CHF 10-14).
Migros, Coop, and Denner are the main budget supermarket chains.
Main high street (Hauptgasse) has affordable chains like H&M, C&A, and Vögele Shoes.
Day pass for Solothurn city buses: CHF 8.00; walk across town (it's small). From Zurich Airport, the cheapest way is a supersaver train ticket (from CHF 29) on SBB, booked in advance.
Buy groceries at Migros or Coop instead of eating out. Tap water is free and safe in restaurants (ask for 'Leitungswasser'). Get a Solothurn Card from your hotel for free local bus travel and museum discounts.
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 Kreuz
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Raiffeisen — 170 m · ~2 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 Kreuz?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the internal courtyard (if available) to minimise traffic noise from the main street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kreuz?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those directly above the street-facing entrance – bar noise and foot traffic from the lift can carry.
Is Kreuz noisy?
The main street in Solothurn (Kreuz is likely on Hauptgasse or nearby) has pedestrian and tram noise during the day; bar area can get lively until late on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Kreuz?
Upper-floor rooms (3rd or 4th) facing the historic old town or the Aare river (north-east side) – not given, but Solothurn’s centre offers sandstone façades or river glimpses.
What are insider tips for staying at Kreuz?
Ask for a room on the 4th floor, back side – less street noise. Parking is limited; use the public garage at Baseltor (5-min walk) instead of street spots.
What time is check-in at Kreuz?
Check-in at Kreuz is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kreuz have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, no login required, speed around 20 Mbps down.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kreuz?
CHF 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kreuz?
Daily menu (Tagesmenü) at a pub or bistro: CHF 15-22 including a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kreuz?
Day pass for Solothurn city buses: CHF 8.00; walk across town (it's small). From Zurich Airport, the cheapest way is a supersaver train ticket (from CHF 29) on SBB, booked in advance.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
June to August: warm, 22–28°C, long daylight hours for walking the fortress walls. July is also when the Altstadt comes alive with street musicians and open-air bars.
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.