We are planning a trip to Switzerland in December of 2006 or January of 2007 to celebrate a big birthday. We would like advice on where to stay in St. Moritz, GRindelwald and Zermatt. We would also appreciate any input as to where else, or possibly other places to stay in place of these three. We have 10 days, maybe longer and plan to ski each location and see some sights as well. Resorts, hotels and restaurants would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Keith and Debbie

Do you have a budget for hotels, as this would help narrow the list.

What is your skiing ability. Do you have to fly into Geneva or Zurich or can you choose either.

Note that those months are the coldest all year, and often the least snow. Be prepared clothing-wise. If you can avoid Christmas you will get better prices and fewer crowds.

I like St Mortiz and Zermatt a lot to ski (also consider Celerina and Pontresina nearby to St Moritz, I will give hotels when you give budget).

I am not a fan of Grindelwald for skiing, but think it is a very beautiful area, I would stay in Wengen rather than Grindlewald( will recco hotels) for easier lift access, maybe not to ski so much here as sightsee and mountain gaze, winter walk and relax. The world cup is in Wengen usually second week or so in January and is a lot of fun to attend, even if there is not a lot of snow.

I also like Davos and Klosters a lot as well, easy trip by train from St Moritz if you want to do a few days in each. If you are an intermediate skier, these are fun, esp the 12 mile Klublis run between the two.

I would post restaurants closer to next year.

Hi Kitti0005,

Until/unless you tell us your budget, I can recommend the Hotel Grand Chalet in Gstaad and the Steigenberger in nearby Saanen. For Grindelwald, I like the Schweizerhof, part of the Romantik group. I've done reviews for the Grand Chalet and the Steigenberger at www.tripadvisor.com, so you can look at those --

Have fun!

s

Have used and been totally satisified with these hotels.
HOTEL STEFFANI, St. Moritz, Sonnenplatz, 1. Front rooms excellant view with indoor swimming pool. Has very good grill...HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF,OR HOTEL MONTE ROSA, both on the Bahnhofstrasse, Schweizerhof about a half block from the Bahnof and Monte Rose about three blocks...Both were very
good with the Schweizerhof with a indoor
swimming pool, and a very good stubi, also nearby an very good chinese restaurant, "China Garden"????? And lastly in Grindelwald, the HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF a half block from the bahnhof,,excellant indoor swimming pool
along excellant dining room. Did eat
all our meals at the Schweizerhof......
Woould look into www.grindelwald.ch and www.wengen.ch and www.berneroberland relative to skiing, between Grindelwald First and the Mannlichen, there many
runs available at all skill levels.
Richard of LaGrange Park, IL.

Our budget is not very restrictive. We don't have to have the very best of accomodations but will not stay in the least either. Hotel nightly rates should not exceed $250 USD per night if possible. Less is always better but not required. The skiing ability in one solid intermdediate and one lesser intermediate.

Restaurant choices of course would follow the same budget as the hotel. We expect to pay for the quality and service rendered. We like some fancy restaurant and some that would be representative of family style restaurants in the areas.

Thanks
Keith and Debbie

Hi again,

I think Grindelwald has good skiing for intermediates, around the cable-car station called "First." The hotel I & dicky2 recommended there, the Schweizerhof, is within your price range. Website is at www.hotel-schwizerhof.ch.

As an aside, did you know that Dec-Jan is a bit early for skiing (unless you're on a glacier)? Skiing doesn't get good until mid-late Jan.

As another aside, it seems like you're trying to do too much for only ten days -- that's barely three days in three places that are far apart. I would suggest you drop at least one destination.

Have fun!

s