We stayed for 5 nights at the Caprice Hotel in Wengen, Switzerland. Wengen is a remote village in the Alps and at the base of the Jungfraujoch a (UNSECO) site. It is a simple hotel with probably the best views of the valley and mountains.

The owner is on site at all times and is very accommodating. The hotel staff is lovely from housekeeping to kitchen. Our server at dinner Marrin (sp) was wonderful. To address the food criticism; We found the food to be excellent and the portions were perfect for us. Yes, we started our 2 nights dinners there with a cheese course and wine before proceeding onto a 3 course meal. We were very satisfied with quantity and quality. We did not opt for the meal plan due to the desire to experience different restaurants in the area. The food is expensive here and everywhere else in Switzerland..Just about double what you would pay in the states…More similar to eating in New York City.

Breakfast was excellent, typical continental with fresh squeezed orange juice and other typical items found on a good continental breakfast buffet.

The hotel was spotlessly clean and our room was simple except for the view from our balcony that would make the weak at heart cry from the beauty. Rooms, this is a big outdoor area…skiing and hiking etc..The rooms are designed to accommodate this life style. The bathroom was large and we were pleased with our accommodations.

Wengen and the surrounding area is awe inspiring. Each night we slept with the windows and doors open. All the cows have bells on them so we were put to sleep by the sound of bells ringing throughout the countryside...Like a giant earthly wind chime.

You take trains from one village to the next. We enjoyed our morning trip to Murren. It took 2 trains and a tram to get to. This is very typical of any travel in the area. We counted 35 trains/trams from beginning to end of our week long trip to Switzerland. In fact it was a plane and 6 trains to get to our village. This should not discourage anyone. The trip was part of the experience and was very civilized form of travel. In fact our trains were in most cases better equipped and more comfortable then our USAIRWAYS flights..No a lot more comfortable.

The weather was perfect 95% of the time and when we experienced a little rain in the mountains we took a train to Spiez and Thun. There was never a moment when we didn't know what to do. You can do as much or as little as you please.

We were not able to go to the Jungfrau due to heavy clouds and the additional cost of over 100 more dollars felt steep when you are unsure to see anything. We did opt for the Jungfrau pass. I think it was F360.00 for the 2 of us but gave you unlimited travel through the region. So we paid straight up for our round trip train tickets from Zurich. Some people had rail passes which got them to major cities but found when they arrived in the Jungfrau area their ticket were no good. I did my home work and knowing that the majority of our time would be spent in the mountains and its villages, we made the right call on pass selection.

Location of hotel is perfect..without a doubt the best views and close to train station. You don’t hear the train BTW. Is this a big deal, yes..some of the walks to other hotels can be a bear!!!!

I would definitely recommend the Hotel Caprice. I would not recommend the ½ board however. Unless of course you don’t plan on moving.

One our best meals was at the Hotel Schonegg, it was so good we went back twice. The service was very close to the top and food was wonderfully prepared. My only complaint is when I needed to send a quick email home, they would not provide me with access pass to send from their wireless..I spent over $400.00 there, you think I could have sent an email??? But that did not distract from 2 fabulous meals! true Swiss!

Zurich:
Unfortunately we only stayed one night in Zurich and the Hotel Plattenhof. The hotel is located in the heart of the University of Zurich campus. A good quiet location for business or pleasure and just a pleasant short walk to old town and wow…lots of shopping!

On the first floor is a trendy little café that seems to be full at all times of the day with locals sipping coffee and having a drinks. Spotlessly clean and modest rooms. Good complimentary continental breakfast and the best coffee!!!! I could find no fault at the Hotel Plattenhof.

The true shinning star at the Plattenhof is the staff! The two gentlemen at the café and front desk, Julie I and Julie II and about the most awesome person I have met in a long time Claudia…

Is there bigger and fancier….”yes” but if your looking for a small boutique in the center of a charming university campus with sincere and accommodating staff..then you will not be disappointed here…A strong recommendation from me.

We loved Switzerland and so did my credit card company...I would go back in a minute!!

Johnb I loved reading your very concise and interesting trip report! Thank you for those great hotel tips which I will keep for our very long awaited trip to Switzerland oneday.
I am a train traveller through & through and was so delighted when you mentioned all the trains one can take to various villages and scenic places!
Thanks again!

I am the one who complained about the food, but really it was our doing. We were traveling with 2 kids, one who doesn't eat much, and 2 others (a total of 6 people). I could not justify spending hundreds of dollars on a single meal, considering we were hoping to have a "budget" vacation (sort of difficult in Switzerland). If it had only been my husband and myself, I am sure we would have had a different culinary experience. But we went on this trip for the hiking, not the food (that's why my husband and I went to Paris last year for a week -- alone!).

Our first choice was to spend a few nights in Wengen, where we had gone in 1993, but the hotels were too expensive for our budget (2 triples or 3 doubles). That is why we decided to stay in Alpiglen at Berghaus Alpiglen. For us, it was a great choice.

Yes, many people do not realize that the Swiss Saver Pass or any other type of Swiss rail pass does not work in the mountains. I believe that our Swiss Saver Pass entitled us to a 50 percent discount on rail and cable cars in the mountains and a 25 percent discount on the Jungfraubahn. Lucky for us, we were able to get the family pass, which enabled our kids to ride free on everything, including the Jungfraubahn. Even with the discounts, we shelled out a lot of money.

Five years ago we spent a couple of nights in Gimmelwald, and after that experience, we decided to devote an entire vacation to Switzerland. Like you, we loved Switzerland and would return again in a minute!

Thanks for the report.

As to passes...a discount of any amount is better than none at all wouldn't you agree?

fre, I hope you don't think I was criticizing..I think the cost for dinners were insane but I did always walk away full but paid for it...

No, I didn't take it as criticism, but I was afraid some people might make snide remarks about the way I blasted Swiss food. I am hardly an epicurean, but I do have my distinct likes and dislikes, and for some reason Swiss food did not appeal to my palate. But I loved the country, and that's all that matters.

The passes were wonderful. That made travel so much easier for us, especially in the big cities where all we needed to do was flash the pass on the train. In the mountains, we did have to purchase tickets before boarding the trains, but we never missed a connection by being held up in the station.

johnb

I stayed at Hotel Baeren in Wengen September 9-12. Yes, this is a beautiful village. It was my first visit here, but I will return. I opted for the half pension at the hotel. The food was delicious, but too much food for me. We had a four course meal every night. I don't know how anyone could possibly eat that much. But the price was good-20 CHF per day. I went up to Jungfrau. It was a beautiful day and warm. I was amazed at all the snow and yet it was warm enough to take off my jacket. cost 102 € with Swiss Pass discount.

Lovely report John. I guess we can add you to the list of Wengen lovers!

BTW....I never went without cell phone reception. I can't get reception down the street from my home but in Switzerland I never had a problem with the phone...