I think Wengen is better situated than much more remote Murren. To get to Murren you have to do the cablecar up to the train from Lauterbrunnen - taking maybe an hour, with changes - Wengen is just about 15 mins by train from Lauterbrunnen - so if day tripping say down to Interlaken to do boat trips or over to Grindelwald or to the Jungfrau train Wengen would save you lots of time. And i am not sure about the new aerial cableway that replaced the old funiclar train up to Grutschalp but before at least there could be long lines just to get onto the funicular, with its limited capacity - not sure the new cable way has such lines or not but if so it would be another hassle.
But Enzian, IMO one of Fodor's top Swiss experts is right in that both Murren and Wengen are super duper places to stay

We've been back to Mürren twice since the new cableway began operating, and we've never had a wait---we just walked over fromthe train and got on the cablecar. Once it was just the five of us and a few others, with a very talkative operator. Everyone in the car got into a multi-language conversation. That was fun.

scopeland, you might let your choice be dictated by the lodging you choose. Look around at some hotel website, check the prices, location, and type of room offered. Maybe e-mail the proprietors and ask about availablity during your selected time period. You may find you are really charmed by one particular place, and then that will make up your mind for you.

I will add that if you are hikers, and want to hike right from your door, then Mürren has more to offer. On the other hand, if you will be using the transport system fo rdaytrips elsewhere, then Wengen, as Palenque says, is a bit more convenient.

Thanks! You are all full of great tips. We are interested in hiking so I'll check Murren. We are planning to do some day trips so we'll think about Wengen as well. Any other lodging recommendations?

In four visits, we have only stayed at the Bären in Wengen and Chalet Fontana in Mürren. I am happy with those and always look forward to returning. But I do know the other places in Wengen which I mentioned---the Schoenegg, Alpenrose, and Bellevue---each comes highly recommended by people I respect, and I am happy to pass on those recommendations.

In Mürren, I believe Hotel Eiger is consistently recommended---this place is right on the edge of the cliff with knockout views. The unrelated Eiger Guesthouse, across the way, also gets great reviews. You might check Tripadvisor for those reviews and see which one appeals to you more.

Yup Murren is a hiker's Nirvana - a huge amphitheatre slowly rising from town laced with footpaths for all degrees of difficulty

You can even hike up to or down from the Schilthorn,though the looks of the trail plunging down from the balcony looked rather treacherous to me as it was a bit icy even in September

palenque, you are a fountain of knowledge. we are fortunate to have you here.

jetset -thanks a load- for me, as i am sure it is for enzian, talking about the Berner Oberland takes me back to my many very sweet journeys there so it is something that brings joy to myself- i do appreciate your comments!

Two highlights of our holiday in Switzerland - the trip from Lauterbrunnen to Schilthorn and the boat/funicular/cablecar/bus trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus and return.
We stayed at the Hotel Staubbach in Lauterbrunnen - our room had a balcony overlooking the valley and the waterfall.

marg - i can imagine the thrll when you first reached your hotel and found a waterfall - one of europe's highest waterfalls just beyond it!

Long ago when i was into camping the Latuerbrunnen campground also was just below the base of Staubbach Falls andjust laying around the tent and seeing the water cascade down from Murren over the cliff in this falls was surrealistic and oh so romantic -during some months like one August when i was there the falls however were a mere trickle so it depends on the month,

Lauterbrunnen Valley - The Staubbach Falls picture published by shutter_bug_2000_2000.
travel.webshots.com/.../1497542700017316690sYrbRC - 4 hours ago

such a view from a hotel balcony!

Staubbach Falls is the signature natural feature in Lauterbrunnen - tumbling thousands of feet - if you walk back from Stechelberg, a few mile flat trail you go right by the base of the falls.