Fodor's Expert Review Grandhotel Giessbach
Am Brienzersee, Brienz, Bern, 3855, Switzerland Fodor's Choice
Overlooking the famed Giessbach Falls, this 19th-century belle époque showplace trimmed with fancy woodwork and topped with turrets offers lovely scenic views from almost any vantage point. The lobby has high, chandeliered ceilings and period furnishings in golds, yellows, and soft pinks. Stucco angels, full-length oil portraits of Swiss beauties, and other Proustian touches will have you feeling like an off-duty aristocrat in no time. Guest rooms are comfortable and spacious, and the communal maxibar offers free beverages and fruit around the clock. Les Cascades restaurant has a glorious orangery overlooking the falls, and Le Tapis Rouge is a serious gourmand affair.
PROS
- stunning location
- old-world charm
- outdoor swimming pool with water lilies
CONS
- day-trippers come for lunch at the terrace, so it can be crowded
- might be hard to sleep in rooms facing the waterfall
- interiors could use a gentle refresh
QUICK FACTS
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Closed late Oct.–mid-Apr. (except occasional weekends), Free Breakfast