Key FAQs

Bed & breakfast: the only difference between this and the other two types of accommodation is breakfast. At a B&B breakfast is ALWAYS available, but guests may opt out if they wish. Hosts offer rooms and/or apartments. They are classified online as part of the registration process. They display a "Bed & Breakfast" certificate bearing the official logo of the Swiss Tourism Federation.

Guest room: with this type of accommodation breakfast may not always be available, if at all. Hosts offer rooms. They are classified online as part of the registration process. They display a "Guest Room" certificate bearing the official logo of the Swiss Tourism Federation.

Holiday apartment: with this type of accommodation breakfast may not always be available, if at all. Apartments are classified via the Swiss Tourism Federation or the classification office responsible. They can be registered with BnB Switzerland providing they already have a certificate or classification is planned for the near future. They must still satisfy the minimum BnB Switzerland requirements in full, however. They display an "Apartment" certificate bearing the official logo of the Swiss Tourism Federation.

The minimum contract term is one year.

Minimum requirements can must be met in full by all accommodation providers for an offer to be published. All of the relevant information can be found here: Minimum Requirements B&B , Minimum Requirements Guest Room, Minimum Requirements Apartments

Not yet. We are in talks with the Tomas system that is used by many tourist organizations.

At 3-4 locations each year BnB Switzerland offers networking events and workshops in German, French and Italian that give hosts an opportunity to talk to others about the issues that matter to them. All of our hosts are also presented on our website. You can get in touch using their personal contact information. It is important to know others in your area so that you are able to refer guests who cannot stay with you because you are fully booked or cannot offer the facilities they need, etc.

If you have opted for the "Basic" membership model, your B&B will also be listed on the myswitzerland.com website run by Switzerland Tourism.

Since January 1, 2007, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has been authorized by BnB Switzerland to collect information for its statistics on B&Bs and holiday apartments as follows: at random for approx. 70 accommodation providers per year, and in full for hotels or hotel-like operations that are also classified by Hotelleriesuisse and counted under official statistics for hotel stays. Providers are therefore required to send the FSO the data it requests within the set deadline. This can be done my means of a questionnaire sent by mail, or online via a login. This data is treated as confidential by the FSO, in compliance with the Swiss Data Protection Act. No individual data is passed on to third parties.

You must purchase a red advertising sign (CHF 39.00 + deposit). Whether or not you display it on your accommodation is up to you, but we recommend doing so because of the recognition value. We do not require you to purchase a certain number or size. Your order is submitted with your registration, and you can obtain further signs from BnB Switzerland at any time. They remain the property of BnB Switzerland.

In some places, yes. For information, please contact the department of health for your canton.

A new procedure for tourist accommodation entered into force on February 1, 2022. Anyone renting out accommodation, with our without breakfast, and publishing it on a platform such as bnb.ch, booking.com, e-domizil, etc. must apply for an identification number. The new registration processes apply to all providers of accommodation sleeping 1-4, and all campsites, huts and farm holidays. Businesses such as hotels which are subject to the Hotels and Restaurants (Lear) Act (Legge sugli esercizi alberghieri e sulla ristorazione) can use the number on their cantonal permit for this purpose. This link takes you to the registration process: https://www.ticino.ch/en/registrazione-alloggi.html

Please let us know your ID number so that it can be quoted on the website.

In some places, yes. Please find out from your cantonal authorities in advance about any permits, zones and reclassifications, and fire safety and hygiene regulations.

Ticino: A new procedure for tourist accommodation entered into force on February 1, 2022. Anyone renting out accommodation, with our without breakfast, and publishing it on a platform such as bnb.ch, booking.com, e-domizil, etc. must apply for an identification number. The new registration processes apply to all providers of accommodation sleeping 1-4, and all campsites, huts and farm holidays. Businesses such as hotels which are subject to the Hotels and Restaurants (Lear) Act (Legge sugli esercizi alberghieri e sulla ristorazione) can use the number on their cantonal permit for this purpose. This link takes you to the registration process: https://www.ticino.ch/en/registrazione-alloggi.html

Please let us know your ID number so that it can be quoted on the website.

Got something out of the ordinary that you would like to offer your guests? To promote it, both our home page and your dedicated provider page display exclusive offers in a way that guests can't miss. Check our BnB Basic and Budget membership models for rates and details. Email a 400-character description and appropriate landscape-format picture to admin@bnb.ch. We'll happily have the details translated and published online for you.

The cantons are responsible for official certifications for the hospitality sector. Even if you do not need one, you may still need a permit before you can open your doors to guests. The key point is usually how many people your accommodation sleeps. Please check in advance with the relevant office in your canton whether you will need a permit or not. More useful information can also be found (in German) at www.wirtepatent.ch.

MyBNB is the member area for BnB Switzerland hosts. It is found at my.bnb.ch

As a rule we do not remove guest reviews from the website. You are able to write a response at any time to explain the situation and put the review into perspective. The BnB Switzerland teams reads every review. Offensive comments are not published.

There are three ways of leaving a review: via www.bnb.ch/en/accommodation/rating, using the QR code visible in the accommodation, or by calling up the accommodation in question on the bnb.ch website. The BnB Switzerland teams reads every review, and also contacts hosts and guests if necessary if ratings are poor. Offensive comments are not published.

The website shows your phone numbers and postal address along with your first and last names. Your email address is not made public.

You could call the guests directly to sort out any questions or things that are unclear. Alternatively, you can contact the BnB Switzerland team. We'll be happy to provide advice by phone or email.

You can cancel your membership quarterly with effect from 31.03. / 30.06. / 30.09. / 31.12. of each year, subject to a notice period of at least 30 days. You do not have to give a reason. You can send us your notice online or by email or letter.

Guests have four ways of making an inquiry.

1) PHONE

2) CONTACT FORM

3) NON-BINDING BOOKING INQUIRY

4) IMMEDIATE BOOKING

On the login screen, click 'Forgot my password', then enter your email address and customer number. This will automatically trigger an email that allows you to generate a new password. Please also check your junk mail/spam folder.

To make changes, first log in to the MyBNB member area. Contact details can only be amended when you register for the first time. If you want to change your phone number, email address or postal address later on, you will need to notify BnB Switzerland in writing.

The annual fee for providers whose accommodation sleeps 1-3 is CHF 279.00 (Budget option) or CHF 339.00 (Basic). This makes your expenses clear and budgetable. We do not levy booking commissions or service charges. If your nightly rate for a double room is CHF 90.00, you'll cover your costs in just three or four nights. If you offer more beds, your fixed costs will also change. The detailed list can be found under 'Fees'.

Once you have set up your profile, entered your data and completed the classification form we will send you the contracts by regular mail. Providing your profile is complete, your accommodation will go live on the site once we have received the signed membership contracts back from you.