kwren

I tried to search for the answer to this, but came up empty-handed so I hope someone can help me with trying to figure this out! My husband and I and 2 17 year olds will (hopefully) be in the Bernese Oberland for about 4 days next July.

We stayed in Lauterbrunnen in in 2006 (Hotel Staubbach, would be 240E) and loved it as a base to go to both sides of the valley. We won't be going to the Schilthorn side this time so thought of staying somewhere else to experience a different area. Alternatively, I've looked at Chalet Horner (160E for the 4 person apt) and that might work for us, although I could also spend a bit more than that. If anyone has stayed in the 4 person apt at the Chalet, how was the view??? The Staubbach isn't out of the question - I just like to try new places.

I've always wanted to stay in Murren and it seems very convenient for what we'll be doing, but I've checked a couple of recommended hotels (Alpenrose for example would be about 600E for the 4 of us) and for 4 people who are going to be in Europe for a bit over 2 weeks, it's out of my budget. Biggest problem seems to be that I require that coveted view! If anyone has a suggestion for Murren with a view more like +/-200E for 4 per night, I'd love to hear it. I'll be saving the Alpenrose for a trip for 2 in the future.

Next I thought of Grindlewald since we have never gone up to First or explored that area and that's on the agenda this time. I've read that it's touristy, but don't know if that would bother us. Would that be a good choice for us and does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel with fabulous view?

On the flip side, when we leave the area for Italy (for Cinque Terre or Tuscany), going by train, I'm wondering if Grindlewald would be too inconvenient? We don't want to change hotels to be closer to the main train line for early trains. Leaving by train from Lauterbrunnen was pretty easy.

I'd appreciate any help!

swisshiker

Hello kwren

<i>"We won't be going to the Schilthorn side this time."</i>

If this is so, then I'd probably save Murren for your "next" trip to Switzerland. Murren is so convenient for exploring the Schilthorn side but less convenient for exploring all that the Grindelwald/Kleine Scheidegg side has to offer. Granted, having a cliff-side room is an extraordinary experience and hard to pass up!

I'm one of the few here, it seems, who loves Grindelwald. Yes, the town gets busy during the day, but then I'm not there during the day. I'm up in the mountains. It's the glacier views we love from our chalet balcony that bring us back year after year. It's one thing to have a view of the magnificent Eiger. But in the First region, combine the Eiger with the glaciers -- well, it's spectacular!

As for transportation when you head to Italy, it's no problem. The train station in Grindelwald is very convenient and easy. Many of the hotels up the hills (the ones with the great views!) have vans that can take you to the station with your luggage.

Some chalet apartments will rent for less than a week, and you may want to consider this with your family of 4. Much cheaper than getting two rooms.

Happy travels!

swandav2000

Hi kwren,

I'm one who adores Wengen for the views, the quiet, and the wonderful ambiance.

I was in Grindelwald one August with my mother and vowed never to do it again. Yes, touristy. There were lines and lines of tour busses on the streets, and the off-loaded passengers were crowding the sidewalks and clogging up all the stores. Because that's as high as they can go, that's where they do go.

We went to Wengen for lunch one day, and it was so peaceful. I've only stayed in Wengen after that.

I think that your goal should be to have the very best base for your four days; being inconvenienced for 20 minutes or so on the day you leave wouldn't seem to be a driving force. Having those gorgeous views every morning and every evening will make your vacation worth remembering!

Have fun!

s

kwren

Thanks swandav - where do you stay in Wengen?
We'll probably be out and about during the days. Are all those busses lined up in Grindlewald in the evenings? Is it more touristy than Lauterbrunnen? (which some have said is touristy, but it didn't seem too bad to me)

<I've always wanted to stay in Murren and it seems very convenient for what we'll be doing, but I've checked a couple of recommended hotels>

Swisshiker - Oops!!! You actually knew exactly what I meant even though I didn't say it. I shouldn't have said Murren - I MEANT to say WENGEN. I always wanted to stay in Wengen...but you sure do make a cliff-side room in Murren sound great for a future trip! There goes the middle part of my whole post! I'm not finding an affordable (for this trip) place in Wengen with a view so far. I had wanted to stay at the Alpenrose but at about 600E it's way too much.

swandav2000

Hi again,

I've stayed at the Alpenrose two times, but it seems to be more than you'd like to pay. I've also heard good things about the Bären, but I think it's also more than you'd like.

BTW, do you really mean 200 euro?? Or do you mean 200 Swiss Franc?

I didn't really note the time of the arrival and departure of the busses; they just always seemed to be there. Yes, it is far more touristy than Lauterbrunnen, which is not even a thought for the tour-bus operators.

Good luck with your choice!

s

kwren

Ahhhh - I guess I got up too early (as you can tell from my first blunder!)! I was thinking the prices were in Euros. I don't know the exchange rates, so I'd better look at all the prices again! Thanks for pointing that out! Not sure if that will be good news or bad news!

kwren

turns out I did put Swiss Francs in the currency converter ... just wrote Euros in the post. Prices in Swiss Francs are approx the same as in US dollars. Oh well - I was hoping for better news.

swisshiker

The Grindelwald buses are generally gone in the 5-6 pm timeframe. Usually gone by the time we get down from the hills. They come back again in the mornings, from Interlaken mostly, with the big groups.

There are a couple large hotels in Grindelwald (Sunstar, for example) that cater a lot to the tour groups, and I can't remember if their parking allows for overnight bus parking. There is also a parking lot nearby in which the buses park, and also down at Grund.

For some reason, we've never stayed in Wengen. It's definitely a smaller village than Grindelwald, and those who've stayed there really like it. Guess we're just creatures of habit.

It's all what you make of it, truly. The entire area is so beautiful. Wherever you end up, it will be magical!

Happy travels!

Ingo

Another fan of Wengen here. Last time I stayed there was last year in September for 4 nights - Hotel Silberhorn, most likely out of your price range, though.

I wouldn't totally rule Grindelwald out. But if you want to stay close to the train station then, yes, you'll see the crowds. And car traffic also, even in the late and early hours of the day. Grindelwald, however, is even more convenient than Wengen for your train travel to Italy - direct train to Interlaken, from Wengen you have to change in Lauterbrunnen (although it's the same platform, no sweat).

Another advantage of Grindelwald is that you can do excursions to both sides of the valley, that means the Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen side (like Wengen) and the First/Grosse Scheidegg side. When I did the First/Grosse Scheidegg hike from Wengen I had change trains in Lauterbrunnen and Zweilütschinen before I arrived in Grindelwald - not very convenient, time consuming and expensive.

I can't help with accommodation, sorry. I think it will be difficult to find a rental apartment in peak season for just four nights - they usually rent for a full week.

I.

kwren

Ingo - that's very helpful - I thought we'd be changing trains all the way to Interlaken. Direct train is certainly a good thing!

I'm going to look at apartments anyway - it could be that we'd pay the same for a week (even though we wouldn't stay that long) as we would like to pay for a hotel. It could work out.

scatcat

Another Wengen fan here. And I stay at the Hotel Baeren. My son and I will be staying there again in September. Our nightly rate is 190CHF and that includes breakfast and a huge wonderful dinner. The views from Wengen are fabulous. It's like waking up in a dream world. Love it! I would suggest booking early for this hotel. It is small and books up quickly.

Melnq8

Hi kwren -

I've stayed in Murren and Wengen multiple times, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen just once.

Of all these, I found Lauterbrunnen to be the most well placed for exploring the entire region. I also discovered the joys of renting an apartment, giving us more room and costing less than a hotel. Granted, we stayed for seven nights, but some apartments do allow rentals of less than a week, such as this one, with a five night minimum:

http://www.hoteloberland.ch/en/flat/edelweiss

Some other places to consider in Lauterbrunnen (we stayed at the fourth apartment on this list and absolutely loved it):

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-ren...erbrunnen/r778

kwren

Thanks - I'll check them out!
Did you ever stay in an apartment in Wengen?

Melnq8

Kwren - Yes we did. I wouldn't stay at the same apartment again though, so I can't recommend it. It was for a stay of less than a week, but during low season. We've also stayed at apartment-hotels in Zermatt - during the low season they're offered without breakfast and service, so the rates are lower.

We've also stayed at an apartment in Kandersteg (three nights)and now that I think of it, Grindelwald. In Gridelwald the apartment was behind a hotel and was bascially just a regular room with kitchen facilities, not a full fledged apartment.

kwren

What fun you've been there so many times! I'm going back just so my husband can see how beautiful it is - he wasn't there with my kids and me last time. We'll do the favorite hike from my last trip and try some new ones. I can't wait! I have to find the perfect place to top it off and I will do just that!

Roadrunner4

Stayed in an apartment in Murren couple summers ago - omg it was incredible! We found it through the local tourism web-site and emailing various owners. It was quite reasonably priced, owners did not speak English so initial coordination was challenging, but it was a once in a lifetime experience...so very special! Don't have contact information anymore, but I"m sure you can find options through Murren TI web-site. However, since you're not planning to go to this side of the valley not sure how convenient it would be for you. Good luck!

Melnq8

Plenty of apartments in Murren as Roadrunner mentioned.

This site might be helpful:

http://www.topapartments.ch/en/muerren.html

kwren

THanks for all the help - I have a lot to look at!

KimSanJose

Lots of wonderful chalets/apartments in Wengen. Been there 13 times in last 13 summers.

Usually rather more expensive than rentals in the "lowlands" - Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald -- but there's a reason. The views are to die for and you get into the mountains, avoiding the crush of tourists in Grindelwald.

Talk to Dorothee at Chalet-Service. They rent places for as few as 3 nights so none of this Sat to Sat nonsense. Send her an email, let her know when you are thinking of coming and your ideas (price, views, proximitiy to town, bedrooms, baths, etc) and she will send you (usually) multiple places to choose from:

Chalet-Service
Dorothee and Adolph von Allmen
CH-3823 Wengen
[email protected]
www.chalet-service.com
Tel: 011-41-79-415-05-54
Fax: 011-41-33-855-38-71

kwren

Back from Montserrat and done with that trip report so back to work on next year's vacation!

Thanks for the info for Dorothee. I'm going to write her with our dates and see what she recommends. I think I inquired about a few apts and she wrote back, but giving her my dates and requirements and letting her recommend something might work better. Does she work with apts in Grindelwald or does she have a counterpart there?

I did write to the Baeren Hotel in Wengen and they are already booked.