The R Apartment Margaretha - free public transport

4Guests

5.0Rating

FlexibleCheck-in

DirectBooking

Seventy-five square metres in the middle of a real Basel neighbourhood

The R Apartment Margaretha sits on Dornacherstrasse 185, a broad, tree-lined street in Basel's Gundeldingen quarter — a district known more for its independent bakeries, pharmacy-green trams and residents going about their day than for tourist foot traffic. The building is a solid early-twentieth-century Basel structure, with the kind of masonry and ceiling heights that newer construction rarely replicates. Inside, the apartment has been laid out to use all 75 square metres sensibly: a proper living area that does not double as a corridor, a kitchen designed for actual cooking, and bedrooms with enough space to unpack rather than live out of a suitcase.

What distinguishes a stay here from a hotel in the Old Town is the neighbourhood itself. Dornacherstrasse connects Basel's centre with the communities to the south, and within a short walk you find the Margarethenpark, local shops, and the kind of everyday rhythm that makes a city feel like a city rather than a backdrop. The tram lines along this corridor link you to the Rhine promenade, the Art Museum, the Basel SBB main station, and the tri-border area with Germany and France in minutes.

Every guest receives a free public transport pass valid for the duration of their stay — a practical advantage that removes any hesitation about jumping on a tram or bus to explore. Basel's integrated transit network means you can reach the city's museums, market squares, the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, or Basel Bad station for cross-border trips without touching a car or a ride-share app.

The apartment accommodates up to four guests. It is managed by Elevate Schweiz GmbH, a Basel-based hospitality company focused on well-run, responsively supported short-term lets. Practical questions get practical answers, and the handover process is straightforward. Whether the visit is for Art Basel week, a Rhine-side weekend, or an extended work trip to one of the pharmaceutical campuses nearby, the apartment functions as a reliable, well-located base rather than an afterthought.

Inside Apartment Margaretha

Seventy-five square metres on Dornacherstrasse — living room, two bedrooms, a working kitchen, and the kind of light that Basel's older buildings hold well into the afternoon.

What is included

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Free Transport Pass

A complimentary public transport pass valid for your full stay, covering all trams and buses in the Basel network.

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High-Speed WiFi

Fast, reliable WiFi throughout the apartment. Suitable for video calls, remote work, and streaming without interruption.

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Full Kitchen

Equipped with hob, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, kettle, and cookware. Sufficient for preparing full meals across a multi-night stay.

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Washing Machine

In-apartment washing machine available for guest use. Practical for stays of four nights or more and for travellers packing light.

❄️

Air Conditioning

Climate control available to keep the apartment comfortable during Basel's warmer summer months.

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Towels and Linen

Fresh bed linen and bath towels provided for all guests. No need to pack towels or arrange separate laundry services.

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Smart Television

A smart TV in the living area with access to streaming platforms. Use your own account credentials for your preferred services.

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Flexible Check-In

Self-check-in available with a key lockbox, giving you arrival flexibility without needing to coordinate exact arrival times with a host.

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Natural Light

High ceilings and well-positioned windows throughout the apartment bring in clear, natural daylight across the living and sleeping areas.

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Pre-Stay Cleaning

The apartment is professionally cleaned before every guest arrival. Cleaning supplies are available for use during your stay.

Every room, accounted for

Main Living Room

Sofa seating · dining table · natural light

A generous open living and dining area that makes full use of the apartment's ceiling height. Proper seating for four, a dining table for meals at home, and windows that bring in afternoon light from the street side.

First Bedroom

Double bed · wardrobe · quiet rear aspect

A well-proportioned double bedroom with full wardrobe storage. Positioned away from the street for undisturbed sleep. Enough floor space to move around without negotiating furniture.

Second Bedroom

Twin or double configuration · wardrobe

A second bedroom suitable for two guests, with flexible bed configuration and dedicated storage. Comfortable for a longer stay with space to unpack fully rather than live out of bags.

Kitchen

Full equipment · hob · refrigerator · dishwasher

A fully equipped kitchen with hob, oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Designed for actual use — not a token kitchenette. Suitable for preparing meals through a multi-night stay without missing equipment.

Bathroom

Shower · full fittings · towels provided

A clean, functional bathroom with shower, basin, and toilet. Towels are provided. The layout handles two people sharing without inconvenience during morning routines.

A day that moves at the pace of Basel

You arrive at Basel SBB and board the tram with your free transport pass already in hand — no ticket machine, no app to download at the kerb. Within fifteen minutes you are at the apartment door on Dornacherstrasse, bags down, kettle on. The ceilings are higher than you expected and the afternoon light comes in at an angle that makes the living area feel calm rather than small.

In the morning, the neighbourhood is straightforward and unhurried. A bakery on the street has bread worth buying before nine. You make coffee in the kitchen, which has the equipment you actually need, and sit with it properly rather than perching on a hotel-room desk. If the day calls for museums, the Basel Kunstmuseum is two tram stops north. If it calls for the Rhine, the Mittlere Brucke and the river swimming areas are fifteen minutes away. You carry nothing but the transport pass.

Afternoons in Basel tend to organise themselves around the waterfront or the market. The Marktplatz sandstone cathedral and the old guildhalls are close enough for a two-hour circuit that does not feel rushed. The Fondation Beyeler in Riehen is a half-hour tram journey and worth the full afternoon. You come back along the Rhine if the weather holds.

By evening, Gundeldingen has a handful of restaurants and wine bars within a short walk — Swiss-German, Italian, and a particularly good Vietnamese spot on a side street. The apartment is quiet once the tram line settles down, and the bedrooms are dark enough to sleep. Basel is a city that operates at a measured pace, and the apartment fits that rhythm without demanding anything particular of you.

Dornacherstrasse, Gundeldingen — Basel

Margarethenpark

6 minutes on foot

A quiet, well-maintained urban park at the end of the street. Good for morning walks, reading on a bench, or a short run before the day begins.

Kunstmuseum Basel

12 minutes by tram

One of the oldest public art collections in the world. The main building and the newer extension together hold an exceptional range of works across five centuries.

Rhine River Promenade

18 minutes by tram

Basel's Rhine banks are genuinely used by locals — for swimming, picnics, and the ferry crossings operated by the traditional Fahrte boatmen.

Fondation Beyeler

30 minutes by tram

Renzo Piano's low-profile building in Riehen houses one of Switzerland's finest private art collections. Worth a half-day visit any season of the year.

Basel, from the inside

June 2026 · 4 min read

Why Basel Rewards the Slow Visitor

Basel does not announce itself loudly. Its Roman foundations, its three-country geography, and its Rhine swimming culture reveal themselves gradually — to visitors who give the city more than a single afternoon between train connections.

April 2026 · 3 min read

A Day in Gundeldingen Without a Map

The Gundeldingen quarter does not appear on most tourist itineraries, which is precisely what makes it worth a morning on foot. Independent shops, local bakeries, and a pace that belongs to the people who actually live here.

February 2026 · 5 min read

Taking the Tram to the Fondation Beyeler

Renzo Piano's low-slung building in Riehen is thirty minutes from central Basel by tram — an easy journey that ends at one of Switzerland's most quietly extraordinary private art collections, open year-round.

Frequently asked questions

What is the check-in time?

Check-in is from 15:00 onwards. The apartment uses a self-check-in system with a key lockbox, so you are not tied to a specific arrival window within those hours. If you need an early check-in, contact Elevate Schweiz GmbH in advance and they will confirm availability.

What is the check-out time?

Check-out is by 11:00. Please leave the key in the lockbox and ensure the apartment is left in reasonable order. Late check-out may be available on request depending on the booking schedule — confirm directly with the host before your stay.

How many guests can stay?

The apartment accommodates up to 4 guests across two bedrooms. The booking should reflect the actual number of guests staying. Unregistered guests beyond the maximum are not permitted under Swiss short-term rental regulations.

Is parking available?

The apartment does not include a dedicated parking space. Street parking on Dornacherstrasse operates under Basel zone regulations and typically requires a paid permit. Given that a free public transport pass is included with every stay, arriving by train or bus is both practical and cost-effective.

Do you accept pets?

Pets are not permitted in the apartment. This applies to all animals regardless of size or breed. If you are travelling with a pet, please contact Elevate Schweiz GmbH before booking to discuss your situation — exceptions are at the host's sole discretion.

How does the free public transport pass work?

Every booking includes a complimentary Basel public transport pass, valid for the duration of your stay. The pass covers all trams and buses within the Basel network. Details on how to receive and activate the pass will be provided in your pre-arrival instructions from Elevate Schweiz GmbH.

How does direct booking work?

Booking directly through this site means you pay no platform commission and communicate directly with Elevate Schweiz GmbH. You will receive a booking confirmation, arrival instructions, and a direct contact for any questions before or during your stay. Payment is handled securely at the time of booking.

How can I reach the host?

Elevate Schweiz GmbH manages the property and responds to messages promptly — typically within a few hours during business hours (Central European Time). Contact details are provided in your booking confirmation. For urgent matters during your stay, an emergency contact number is included in the apartment welcome information.