Bed & Breakfast or Guesthouse in Switzerland
 

Can anyone recommend a bed and breakfast or guesthouse in Montreux? We need one close to a train station since we will not have a car. One I am considering is Gabrielle Dieckman, Villa Quisisana, Route de Colondalles 80, CH-1820 Montreux. Would this be a convenient location for exploring Montreux and the surrounding towns?

Hello Again BevK,

Well that b&b is not really convenient for train travel -- unless you don't mind taxis and/or walking a lot. It appears to be several miles from the train station. I did a map from www.mappoint.com -- the link below might work if you just copy the entire address and paste it onto your browser. Otherwise, of course, you can just put in the address at mappoint! Anyway, it's not terribly convenient.

Hereys the link:
mappoint.msn.com/(p3gfze2di4lyor55vkmspn55)/map.aspx?L=EUR&C=46.44607%2c6.90158&A=7.16 667&P=|46.44607%2c6.90158|1|Route+des+Colondal les%2c+1820+Montreux|L1|

The Dieckmann bnb looks like it's about 160 chf for two people, and I know of the two-star Hotel/Restaurant La Rouvenaz in the same price range. La Rouvenaz is an Italian restaurant that also has 12 rooms and four apartments; it's only about one block from the train station and across the street from the lake. It's very centrally located. Its website is: www.montreux.ch/rouvenaz-hotel/ The website has photos of the rooms as well as a map. Doubles go for 130-160 chf.

Another option is the Auberge du Rivaz, in Rivaz, with 13 rooms. One regular poster here has stayed there and recommends it. Rivaz is between Vevey and Montreux, and you'll have to take a regional train (or the ferry) to get there. It doesn't have a web address that I know of, but the phone number is 021-946-10 55 My hotel book from 2002 lists the rates for a double as 120-145 chf.

Did you see that Hotel Masson is offering a free night if you stay for five or more nights? That might bring the price close to the price of the bnb. Of course, it's also quite some distance from the train station.

Here's a final thought -- have you considered renting an apartment? The Interhome group has four or five apartments around Montreux -- most in Clarens or Territet -- all with lake views. If you wait for the last minute (within one week I think) you can score an incredible deal of 33% off. So for a great two-bedroom apartment that would normally run you $946 (with fees, etc), you can get it for about $650. The website is www.interhome.com, and do a search for Montreux. One regular poster here stays at Interhome properties all over Europe -- do a text search here to see the exact comments. I'd call the US office to be sure to talk about all the specifics. Of course, this doesn't exactly solve your problem of convenience . . . but it is an option . . . ?

Sorry, but I just don't know of a cozy b&b that's also centrally located.

Anyway, hope some of this helps!

s

Nice job, s! you encourage me to reply as well.

I second your recommendation of Hotel Masson. It is really what you imagine under a B&B. The bus No.1 runs frequently all the way from Vevey to Chillon along the major road by the lake, with stops every some hundred meters, so I would not worry because of distance to the railway station. It's only 100 m from the railway station to the bus stop and 150 or 200 from the other bus stop to Hotel Masson.

I agree that renting an apartment is a good idea. I guess I am the regular poster you referred to. Booking last minute through internet is possible Sat to Tue before the Sat you arrive. Note: booking only from Sat to Sat as usually with apartments.

Here's another address of an apartment:
http://www.holiday-home.com/objekt_e.asp?OBJ=741

You can check availibility on their website. It is very well located, in Territet on the bus line and not far from the small railway stop, where local or regional trains stop.

Enjoy!

PS: I thought La Rouvenaz could be a little noisy (road traffic). What do you think, s?

Ingo -- You're right on all counts!! You are the poster I referred to, but I didn't know if you felt like surfacing on this thread!

You're also right about the noise at La Rouvenaz. I meant to mention it somewhere in my reply, but it just slipped out of my head! There may also be noise because of the restaurant itself and the new wine bar they put in. BevK, if you e-mail the hotel, be sure to ask if they have a quiet room -- but then you'll probably not be facing the lake!

Finally, Ingo, you're right about the bus! I had totally forgotten about it. It's so convenient and easy to use that it's a great option for BevK. It can be the best answer to link you to the Masson for convenience and charm. I guess the fare would be about 2 chf per person, eh? I seem to recall a fare of about 2.80 from the center of town to Chillon.

Unfortunately, that bus doesn't go up to your bnb, BevK. But there may be another bus that does. Don't be shy about e-mailing the bnb to ask!

I hope you are getting closer to a perfect room in this wonderful spot. Bewst of luck.

s

Hi y'all. Bevk, I'm in a rush and can't remember a thing about your previous correspondence, but s's comment about Auberge de Rivaz gets my attention. It is only a two-star, very plain rooms above a wonderful little restaurant just across the street from the boat landing and the train station in the midst of vineyards at Rivaz. When I made reservations there, I inquired via FAX at 41 21 946 3882. You can check that by searching Google for Auberge plus Rivaz. The other plus of that place is that you can not only walk the vineyards, but St. Saphorin is only a spit away, AND the village of Rivaz up (steep) the hillside is a charmer too, AND there are wine-tasting caves nearby. Just a thought. J.

Thanks to all for the valuable suggestions. I e-mailed Ms. Dieckman's bed & breakfast to ask about train access and her reply is:
"Yes, we are 5 min above station.
Studio for two is free , sfr. 650 per week pus taxes"
I've checked out the Auberge de Rivaz but they were booked. I've also e-mailed the Hotel Masson for their rates. From the web site it looks like the free night special is only good through mid-May. Is the Hotel Masson within walking distance of restaurants and shops? Do I understand correctly that we would need to take a bus to the train station from there? And I've e-mailed several other hotels - Hostellerie du Lac, Hotel des Negociats, Hotel Elite Montreux and Hotel la Ruvenaz. One more question - a single room - is that a room for two people with one bed, or a room for one person? Thanks again and again for your help. I don't want to end up at a Holiday Inn Express!

Hello again!

Looks like you've been really busy, BevK! I sure hope you get the "suite" of your dreams!

A single room is a room for one person. If you show up with two people, they'll charge you for a double room.

In my opinion, everything in Montreux is within walking distance . . . I've walked the length and the breadth of the town many times, often in one day. For me, the key is to go down to the lake and then stroll along it until you are opposite your destination, then go up again into the streets. So you *can* walk from the gare (train station) to Hotel Masson, but it'll be about one mile. The bus or a taxi would obviously be another choice.

I suspect that the Dieckmann bnb is a five minute taxi ride from the gare. Again, take a look at the map to see if my distance-guessing is accurate.

Walking from Hotel Masson to shops and restaurants is easy. There are shops and restaurants and cafes all along the road that parallels the lake, and there are restaurants and cafes all along the lakeside. Most of the shops are concentrated around the center of town just below the gare -- around the casino and the Forum.

I hope you post a trip report when you're back. I'm curious to see how everything will work out!

s

Honestly, if you want to stay in walking distance to good shopping you should stay in Vevey's old town. Sorry s, but I found the old town of Vevey to be more charming with better (upscale) shops, esp. clothing. You might want to have a look at Hostellerie de Geneve.

Another option would IMO be Hostellerie Chez Chibrac. It is located on Mont Pelerin, some hundred meters above Vevey, connected to the town by a funicular (operating frequently till late evening or night). www.chezchibrac.ch if I recall correctly. It is a charming French style inn.

I think Mrs. Dieckmann referred to a different train station: It is located about 5 minutes from the stop "Chatelard" of the MOB railway (Montreux-Oberland Bernois), not from the main railway station Montreux.

I stayed at the Masson and think it is a little out of the way. No problem IMO, because the buses are running every ten minutes. A hint: if you speak German you might try to book this hotel via the website www.tui.de. It is a huge tour operator (Europe's biggest) and you would probably get better rates.

Ingo

You are so kind to help me find, first a region of Switzerland to see, and now a place to stay. I've been busy all day checking out the hotels. Ingo - the Hostellerie de Geneve looks interesting and from the web site map looks like it is close to the train tracks. I couldn't tell exactly where the station is. Have you stayed there?

Hi BevK & Ingo,

Yes, Ingo, I concur that Vevey may be a great option for this trip! I love that place, too -- the shops, the proximity to the vineyards, etc. And it's pretty close to the long lakeside promenade, which continues from La-Tour-de-Peilz (a suburb of Vevey).

I've eated at the Hostellerie de Geneve; in fact it's one of my must-stops when I'm there. Please note BevK that it also is a thriving restaurant though not on a busy street. It's right at the central square, Pl. Marche. It's about two blocks from the gare (toward the water) and just a few steps from the lake.

There are a ton of shops & cafes in that area. My favorites are the antiques stores and the grocery stores. I found one cremerie that sold "creme de Gruyeres" but I can't remember the name of the shop. BevK, that could be one mission for you -- locate that shop and definitely buy that creme. Be early; they sell out by noon.

Keep us all informed, ok?

Great luck!!

s

s

swandav2000, I've just found the twenj.net pages and already printed out practically a book's worth of information. Thanks so much for posting it. Are you Ed or Julie of the twenj.net site? Are you in the US? It sounds like we would be able to do day trips quite conveniently from the hostellerie in Vevey. I've e-mailed them with questions about availability and rates so if they reply positively I think it would be a good place to stay. Thanks again for your help.

Hi BevK,

No, I'm not Ed or Julie -- Ed was a well respected and active poster here a year ago or so but, to the sorrow of many, has passed on. Julie is generously allowing his wonderful site to live on. I was lucky enough to exchange a few e-mails with Ed and was happy to have "known" him.

I just tried to map the Hostellerie at mappoint, but it came up negative. If you want to, you can try it at www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com -- just to help you get oriented (and to start getting psyched about the trip!). I think staying in Vevey is a great brainstorm -- I get sort of stuck in Montreux!!

Yes, I'm in the US. But I'll be in the Engadin, one of Ingo's favorite spots, in mid-June. I would be purple with envy of you if it weren't for my own upcoming trip!

s

If Hostellerie is not available, you might want to try Hotel Negociants. It's a block from Pl. Marche and about 3 blocks from the promenade. A comfortable, clean hotel in the old part of town with good breakfasts (but don't eat dinner there).

The Hostellerie de Geneve in Vevey replied to my e-mail and they do have rooms available so we're tentatively booked there. I think it will be perfect with the train station close by and shops and restaurants surrounding the hotel. Swiss precision and french food! It's a good thing the plane fare was cheap, because the exchange rate is not in our favor right now. I have another question (surprise, surprise!) Is a day trip to Murren doable? It just seems like too much trouble to schlep all of our luggage there for one or two nights and then haul it back again. How much cooler is it in the mountains than by the lakeside? Once again, thank you for your help. I feel like I would know you all if I ran into you on the street.

Perfect!!

A day trip to Myrren is doable, but with some changes it takes 3:44 hours! It is IMO not necessary to go all the way up to Myrren, take the train from Interlaken Ost toward Lauterbrunnen and get off at Wilderswil. From there a funny little cog-wheel train takes you up to Schynige Platte (gorgeous views of Eiger, Mynch and Jungfrau mountains as well) and do a short hike there.

In case you don't want to hike a little you also could do the round trip Interlaken-Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg-Grindelwald-Interlaken by mountain railway instead of going to Myrren. So you get closer to the glaciers.

You should know that the fares for the mountains railways in the Jungfrau region are among the most expensive (maybe THE MOST expensive) in Switzerland. So you should purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card or a different Rail Pass at least to make it affordable.

>I feel like I would know you all if I ran into you on the street.< This is like we bonkers over Switzerland all feel - and we will check it out on our GTG in June in Zuoz!

Ingo

So what's the verdict? To Murren or not to Murren? You folks are keeping me in suspense. Bevk, did you ever say how many days you've got total? I still maintain that you can enjoy mountains by visiting Chateau d'Oex or Gstaad. Or maybe a quick trainride to the Valais? Just think of this as the first of many visits. J.

Hello all, I've had replies from the Hostellerie de Geneve in Vevey for six nights for $170/night and La Rouvenaz in Montreux six nights for $145/night. Which do you think would be the better choice, keeping in mind we want to be close to the train station? jmw, I'm 95% certain we'll spend the six nights we have in one spot, either Montreux or Vevey. Next trip we'll stay in the Alps! I so wish we had two weeks to spend this time.

I can't help with hotels as I am so lucky as to have friends I stay with in both Vevey and Montreux. The train between the two towns is just a few minutes (15?) and easy to do.

My best suggestion... Don't miss one of the 'market days'. Saturday early AM is biggest & best in the Vevey main square (5 mins. walk from train station). But they also have one on Tuesdays on the sidewalks and Montreux has theirs on Friday mornings but it is much smaller. It is a great way to get in with local people, color and culture, not to mention the wonderful food you can buy. Chateau de Chillon just past Montreux is definitely worth doing for your 'castle' trip.

To me it is interesting that Vevey and Montreux have very different personalities even though they are so close along the lake.

Thank you for your reply, suze. Can you tell me a little more about how the personalities of Vevey and Montreux differ? We interested in the beautiful countryside, good but not terribly expensive local food (the markets sound great)-we're not big nightlife people, but would like to walk to restaurants and shops.

Hi Folks,

Suze (and others!), I hope you'll correct me if these impressions are wrong . . .

But the mood I get in Montreux is that it's primarily a resort/retirement area -- lots of vacationers from all over Europe, lots of folks with free time, lots of lounging and playing. I spend most of my time along the lakeside in Montreux, not in the old town, so that may account for this impression.

In Vevey, I get the feeling that it's more of a real town with local folks and local activities. The "town" part is larger, with more shops, more diverse shops, and more restaurants. In contrast, its lakeside promenade is not as "developed" with cafes and gardens.

Any other ideas?

s