Pawleys

I've been reading several threads about the Bernina express recently. I'm considering flying into Zurich spending a night or two and then taking a train to Bernina express route and onto Lake Como. I want to stop for one night along the route in a Picturesque village. I would love suggestions of accommodations with charm and ease of access to the train.

PalenQ

Ponresina seems to be what most would recommend as a more romantic alternative to just about the only other choice - St Moritz.

there are a few hotels at train stations on the Bernina Pass rail route near the summit I believe and they could be very romantic but I know little about them.

swandav2000

Hi Pawleys,

Well, there are a bunch of wonderful towns that are either on the route or just minutes off it, including Celerina, Sils, Silvaplana, Samedan, etc. I think the most picturesque village would be Sils. You can get some basic information at this site:

http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/sommer/en/sils/

Also, the poster Ingo is a wealth of information on this area, and Melnq8 had just returned from a trip there. Hopefully they will be responding soon!

But it would be very helpful to know your price preference for the hotel --

Have fun as you plan!

s

Melnq8

I liked the town center of Samedan, some nice hotels there and plenty of old world charm. It's just a short hop to St Moritz via train (less than 10 minutes as I recall), where you can connect to the Bernina Express or a regional train that follows the same line.

Just be aware that the accommodation nearest the train station is pretty charmless, mostly apartments, but walking up the short hill into the center is like an entirely different place.

Pontresina is an option, but it wouldn't be mine, as it's a very steep climb from the train station into the center of town. There is a bus stop in the center, but I'm not sure how it connects with the train, although a bus from the center to St Moritz might be a possibility (I'm not sure of this, you'd have to check).

I also really liked Sils, which is slightly less convenient as it's not on a train line (bus) but IMO it's the prettiest town of the three.

Ingo

Which month of the year?

Pawleys

We plan to take the Bernina Express the end of August. I would like to spend $400 or less.
Our plan right now is to take the train from Zurich through Chur then break the trip for a night. Is that the best option?

PalenQ

http://www.bernina-hospiz.ch/

How about one right at or near the summit? Nice base to do the walk around the Alpine lake and to the glacier.

PalenQ

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitie7/8096603595/

Or how about this one, presumably near the Alp Grum train station near the summit.

Ingo

I would break up the trip in St. Moritz region/Upper Engadin. It's about half way and you have the most/best options there. Chur is definitely too early. Bergün would be another option, but still too early IMO. Alp Grüm is too isolated and it's rather spartan accommodation. And what would you do there if the weather doesn't co-operate?

My first thought was that only one night in the Upper Engadin is a waste - with two nights you get (in most hotels) a complimentary pass for public transportation and cable cars/gondolas in the Upper Engadine, perfect for exploring the region on that one day.

Right by the train station in St. Moritz is Hotel La Margna, a traditional four-star hotel with a lot of charm. If you get a room to the south you'll have great views of the lake and the mountains (better on a higher floor, because the train station is vis-a-vis). www.lamargna.ch

I would not totally rule out Pontresina. If you travel on regional trains, not the Bernina Express, these do stop at Surovas, from where it is only a five minutes walk (flat) to the upper end of town - hotels right there are 3star hotels Albris (www.albris.ch - highly recommended), Bernina and 4star-plus hotel Walther (www.hotelwalther.ch - fantastic! Please note that dinner is included in room rates.)

Btw, all the hotels I know in Pontresina offer transfer to/from the main train station. Besides, buses and trains are timed, so you can easily take a (public) bus to/from the train station.

HappyTrvlr

Pontresina: Grand Hotel Kroenhof and La Collina are both worth a look. We stayed at La Collina and had dinner at Kronenhof.The town is so picturesque and charming.

Pawleys

Thanks so much for your suggestions,. I checked out the Walther it looks fabulous. We may have to rethink this part of the trip and add a day to the Engadin.