murren or wengen
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:45 AM
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murren or wengen
First thanks to all of you who take the time to post.
Which of these two places should I use as my base of operation. Like to stay for 3-4 days hiking/viewing.(in Sept)
Any hotel advice would be welcomed. (under 200 bucks a night please (2 adults)
Bob
Which of these two places should I use as my base of operation. Like to stay for 3-4 days hiking/viewing.(in Sept)
Any hotel advice would be welcomed. (under 200 bucks a night please (2 adults)
Bob
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:56 AM
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Hi bobco,
Both villages are great choices -- both are in the mountains and both are car-free.
Wengen is a little larger than Murren, and it's a little easier to get to (more connections to get to Murren).
I enjoyed the Alpenrose in Wengen (www.alpenrose.ch) when I stayed there a few years ago. Prices are around 130-180 per person, but that includes half board.
s
Both villages are great choices -- both are in the mountains and both are car-free.
Wengen is a little larger than Murren, and it's a little easier to get to (more connections to get to Murren).
I enjoyed the Alpenrose in Wengen (www.alpenrose.ch) when I stayed there a few years ago. Prices are around 130-180 per person, but that includes half board.
s
Feb 25th, 2006, 12:04 PM
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One thing to consider is that you are not guaranteed sunny weather every day. Even if it is just foggy, the views are lost. Once you are in Murren, you really are at the top, so if you want "rainy day options" you are going to have to go much further to get to them.
My recollection is that Wenger is much further down the mountains, so that means you'd have an easier time substituting a rainy day plan to go sightseeing elsewhere. Lauterbrunnen offers the same convenience (and you can take cable cars directly up to Gimmelwald and Murren). I'm very fond of Spiez on the shores of Lake Thun (where I stayed at the Hotel des Alpes).
I booked myself into Murren for 4 days one September (I am sorry I have forgotten the name of the somewhat budget hotel near the train station, but I wouldn't recommend it anyway). Even though I had brilliantly sunny weather, I decided to change my plans and head down to Spiez for the 4th night, since I'd done all the hiking and sightseeing I wanted to. That's a long way of saying 3 nights might be enough for you too.
My recollection is that Wenger is much further down the mountains, so that means you'd have an easier time substituting a rainy day plan to go sightseeing elsewhere. Lauterbrunnen offers the same convenience (and you can take cable cars directly up to Gimmelwald and Murren). I'm very fond of Spiez on the shores of Lake Thun (where I stayed at the Hotel des Alpes).
I booked myself into Murren for 4 days one September (I am sorry I have forgotten the name of the somewhat budget hotel near the train station, but I wouldn't recommend it anyway). Even though I had brilliantly sunny weather, I decided to change my plans and head down to Spiez for the 4th night, since I'd done all the hiking and sightseeing I wanted to. That's a long way of saying 3 nights might be enough for you too.
Feb 25th, 2006, 06:51 PM
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Another vote for Wengen--Murren is better for the Schilthorn, but Wengen is more in the middle of things, it is a short train ride up from Lauterbrunnen, and the Jungfrau is more accessible from there. The Hotel Schoenegg in Wengen is a short walk from the train station and has excellent food.
Feb 27th, 2006, 12:14 AM
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Murren and Wengen at are about the same altitude, nessnundorma's recollection is not correct. (Wengen is actually about 1000 feet lower than Murren.) They sit opposite each other up on shelves above the valley, Lauterbrunnen is at the bottom of the valley, Grindelwald is in an adjoining valley at a still lower elevation than Murren and Wengen and is on more of a plateau. Both Murren and Wengen offer spectacular views of the Jungfrau trio and of the valley below; Wengen has the plus in that you also get waterfall views of the waterfalls on the Murren side of the valley.
Wengen is larger than Murren and has more restaurants so for 2-3 days I think makes a better base to come home to each night. Also, if you want to take the train to the top of the Jungfrau train and/or the excellent Maennlichen to Kleine Schiedig walk, both originate in Wengen, so you will save quite a bit of time each day if you stay in Wengen. You can easily make a day trip to Murren and also do day trips to other parts of the valley and also get out to Lakes Thun and Brienz if you wish.
The Alpenrose gets good reviews here and looks nice, I have not stayed myself. Another hotel in town that I do know in about that price range would be the Silberhorn, take a look at www.silberhorn.ch
The best rooms are the south facing rooms, the rooms without a view are called "standard" rooms but are the same size. They have two wings, one they call "rustic" and the other they call the "Laura Ashley" wing. I preferred the latter, as they have redone the bathrooms and the rooms are done in a light fresh style as opposed to the bit more dated pine rooms in the rustic wing. Of the south facing rooms, I would ask for 202, 404 or 405. 202 has a large concrete terrace which is shares with (I believe) 203 and 204.
My favourite hotel is the Caprice, a bit more but worth it, take a look at www.caprice-wengen.ch
If you decide on Murren, consider the Eiger Hotel. Hoteleiger.com.
Wengen is larger than Murren and has more restaurants so for 2-3 days I think makes a better base to come home to each night. Also, if you want to take the train to the top of the Jungfrau train and/or the excellent Maennlichen to Kleine Schiedig walk, both originate in Wengen, so you will save quite a bit of time each day if you stay in Wengen. You can easily make a day trip to Murren and also do day trips to other parts of the valley and also get out to Lakes Thun and Brienz if you wish.
The Alpenrose gets good reviews here and looks nice, I have not stayed myself. Another hotel in town that I do know in about that price range would be the Silberhorn, take a look at www.silberhorn.ch
The best rooms are the south facing rooms, the rooms without a view are called "standard" rooms but are the same size. They have two wings, one they call "rustic" and the other they call the "Laura Ashley" wing. I preferred the latter, as they have redone the bathrooms and the rooms are done in a light fresh style as opposed to the bit more dated pine rooms in the rustic wing. Of the south facing rooms, I would ask for 202, 404 or 405. 202 has a large concrete terrace which is shares with (I believe) 203 and 204.
My favourite hotel is the Caprice, a bit more but worth it, take a look at www.caprice-wengen.ch
If you decide on Murren, consider the Eiger Hotel. Hoteleiger.com.
Feb 28th, 2006, 05:23 PM
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Well, the pressure is on me for the Caprice, hope you got a south facing room with a view those are really worth the money....for Paris, I would recco the following three hotels, in no particular order. There are of course tons more good ones:
Hotel San Regis
12, Rue Jean Goujon
75008 Paris
http://www.hotel-sanregis.fr
or slh.com
Tel: +33 1 4495 1616
Fax: +33 1 4561 0548
A few blocks off the Champs towards the river, around the corner from the Plaza Athenee hotel. It was originally recommended to me on this site a few years ago, and I have since stayed several times, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lovely small hotel, beautifully maintained, lovely room décor and new bathrooms. It is also air conditioned which is welcome at times. On a quiet side street of some elegant homes. Some of the rooms have an Eiffel Tower view (although you do have to look out the window a bit!). Their standard rooms are very small, 22 square meters or so, so for two people I would get a larger room, their junior suites are particularly nice and are large. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World so you can also go to slh.com
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel
4 Rue de Mont Thabor
75001 Paris
Tel: 33 1 4020 2000
Fax: 33 1 4020 2001
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PARVD
I think this is just a lovely little modern boutique hotel. It was built last year and quickly taken over by Marriott/Renaissance, but they have wisely not changed anything about it. It is just behind Le Meurice hotel, so it in a great location near the Lourve and the Tuileries and quite near the Place Vendome. Some good shops and restaurants are in the neighbourhood. The rooms are very sleek and modern (as opposed to the flowery chinz you find in many Paris hotels, including my other reccos), they tend to be on the small side, but are a good use of space. Flat screen TVs, DVD players, CD players, rooms have wireless capability as I recall. They have an indoor pool, sauna and steam room which is unusual for a Paris hotel, esp such a small hotel They have an excellent French Asian fusion restaurant, Pinxo, which I would recco even if you don't stay here.
HOTEL
PAVILLON DE LA REINE
28, Place des Vosges
75003 PARIS
Tel: 01 40 29 19 19
Fax: 01 40 29 19 20
http://www.pavillon-de-la-reine.com/
The Pavilion de la Reine is located in the Place des Vosges which is an extremely beautiful square in the Marias and the hotel itself is extremely charming, ivy dripping down the front walls, it is on its own small courtyard, etc. The rooms are flowery with iron bedsteads and some antiques. I think the hotel can be a little uneven in terms of room quality, so go with the best room you can afford, i.e. a deluxe room or junior suite over a regular room. This hotel is pretty popular on this board.
Also take a look at slh.com, lhw.com and karenbrown.com who always lists interesting hotels, and read reviews on tripadivsor.com.
Finally, more in the 3 star range, a building or two down from the San Regis but on the same nice street is a newish Sofitel that looked very nice from the outside. The upper floor rooms had balconies which would give good Eiffel Tower views I think. This should be cheaper than the San Regis for the same good location.
Sofitel Champs Elysee-Paris
8, rue Jean Goujon
75008
Tel
+33)1/40746464
Fax+33)1/40747966
http://www.accorhotels.com
Hotel San Regis
12, Rue Jean Goujon
75008 Paris
http://www.hotel-sanregis.fr
or slh.com
Tel: +33 1 4495 1616
Fax: +33 1 4561 0548
A few blocks off the Champs towards the river, around the corner from the Plaza Athenee hotel. It was originally recommended to me on this site a few years ago, and I have since stayed several times, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lovely small hotel, beautifully maintained, lovely room décor and new bathrooms. It is also air conditioned which is welcome at times. On a quiet side street of some elegant homes. Some of the rooms have an Eiffel Tower view (although you do have to look out the window a bit!). Their standard rooms are very small, 22 square meters or so, so for two people I would get a larger room, their junior suites are particularly nice and are large. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World so you can also go to slh.com
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel
4 Rue de Mont Thabor
75001 Paris
Tel: 33 1 4020 2000
Fax: 33 1 4020 2001
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PARVD
I think this is just a lovely little modern boutique hotel. It was built last year and quickly taken over by Marriott/Renaissance, but they have wisely not changed anything about it. It is just behind Le Meurice hotel, so it in a great location near the Lourve and the Tuileries and quite near the Place Vendome. Some good shops and restaurants are in the neighbourhood. The rooms are very sleek and modern (as opposed to the flowery chinz you find in many Paris hotels, including my other reccos), they tend to be on the small side, but are a good use of space. Flat screen TVs, DVD players, CD players, rooms have wireless capability as I recall. They have an indoor pool, sauna and steam room which is unusual for a Paris hotel, esp such a small hotel They have an excellent French Asian fusion restaurant, Pinxo, which I would recco even if you don't stay here.
HOTEL
PAVILLON DE LA REINE
28, Place des Vosges
75003 PARIS
Tel: 01 40 29 19 19
Fax: 01 40 29 19 20
http://www.pavillon-de-la-reine.com/
The Pavilion de la Reine is located in the Place des Vosges which is an extremely beautiful square in the Marias and the hotel itself is extremely charming, ivy dripping down the front walls, it is on its own small courtyard, etc. The rooms are flowery with iron bedsteads and some antiques. I think the hotel can be a little uneven in terms of room quality, so go with the best room you can afford, i.e. a deluxe room or junior suite over a regular room. This hotel is pretty popular on this board.
Also take a look at slh.com, lhw.com and karenbrown.com who always lists interesting hotels, and read reviews on tripadivsor.com.
Finally, more in the 3 star range, a building or two down from the San Regis but on the same nice street is a newish Sofitel that looked very nice from the outside. The upper floor rooms had balconies which would give good Eiffel Tower views I think. This should be cheaper than the San Regis for the same good location.
Sofitel Champs Elysee-Paris
8, rue Jean Goujon
75008
Tel
+33)1/40746464Fax
+33)1/40747966http://www.accorhotels.com
Feb 28th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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Right now I am not sure Mürren is your best option for a choice of mountain villages.
I suggest you take into account that the cable lift that for years has transported passengers from Lauterbrunnen upwards to Grutschalp and then onwards to Mürren must be dismantled. The upper station of the cable car at Grutschalp is on sliding ground. Within a few weeks, the old system will be taken out of service and the construction of a new aerial cable way will begin sometimes in April.
(Lastest I heard.)
Wengen will be easier to reach. It is served by a cog rail line that runs from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, with Wengen as the first major stop on the route.
I suggest you take into account that the cable lift that for years has transported passengers from Lauterbrunnen upwards to Grutschalp and then onwards to Mürren must be dismantled. The upper station of the cable car at Grutschalp is on sliding ground. Within a few weeks, the old system will be taken out of service and the construction of a new aerial cable way will begin sometimes in April.
(Lastest I heard.)
Wengen will be easier to reach. It is served by a cog rail line that runs from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, with Wengen as the first major stop on the route.
Feb 28th, 2006, 06:00 PM
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I signed off too soon. There is an alternative route to Mürren, of course.
At the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley there is a second cable lift. Actually this is the Schilthornbahn which ascends to Mürren in two stages.
The first stage goes up to Gimmelwald where the ascending car meets the descending car from Mürren.
The final leg of the Schilthornbahn, and the most expensive part of the trip, begins from the Mürren station.]
There is a fairly large parking lot near the valley station of the Schilthornbahn, and the station is served by the Post Bus from the Lauterbrunnen train station.
You will find it possible to get to Mürren, but I have no idea of what kind of lineup visitors to Mürren will face.
I have ridden up both ways and, in the peak summer periods, both means of transportation were full of people.
At the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley there is a second cable lift. Actually this is the Schilthornbahn which ascends to Mürren in two stages.
The first stage goes up to Gimmelwald where the ascending car meets the descending car from Mürren.
The final leg of the Schilthornbahn, and the most expensive part of the trip, begins from the Mürren station.]
There is a fairly large parking lot near the valley station of the Schilthornbahn, and the station is served by the Post Bus from the Lauterbrunnen train station.
You will find it possible to get to Mürren, but I have no idea of what kind of lineup visitors to Mürren will face.
I have ridden up both ways and, in the peak summer periods, both means of transportation were full of people.
Mar 1st, 2006, 04:16 AM
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My husband and I also stayed at the Caprice in Wengen last May and really enjoyed our stay. They brought a plate of delicious chocolates to our room as a welcome gift. The owners were very helpful with all of our questions. The view from our balcony was incredible.
