I have looked through so many threads, and now I need the experts to direct me to the best place for our base.
We will be coming to Switzerland from the Strasbourg area- actually I think we've settled on Ottrott.
We've narrowed our choices are down to
1. Lauterbrunnen- Hotel Staubbach or Hotel Silberhorn
2. Kandersteg at the Landgasthof Ruedihus
3. Grindelwald at the Chalet Hotel Gletschergarten
We will be driving. The reason these hotels work is because we need a triple to accommodate two adults, one teen. This will be three nights.
Then we will go to Lake Lucerne area (I think). Looking at the Hotel Roggerli (suggested on this forum) or SeeHotel Gotthard in Weggis (?). Also considering Chalet Du Lac in Iseltwald. I am more focused on proximity to sites we want to see, than the lodging. Having said that, I do want something comfortable and clean. These will be for two nights.
I usually leave something out, so don't be too rough. I am still getting used to these posts.

Are you planning to spend two nights each in Lauterbrunnen, Kandersteg and Grindelwald or are you trying to choose between the three?

Haven't stayed at the hotels you mention, but rest assured, Swiss hotels are generally of a very high standard.

Hi Odyssey--I know I originally suggested kandersteg and the Ruedihaus, but now it's a bit off your path. You will have more to do and see, and more exciting scenery, at either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. I haven't stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned, but I did correspond with the Gletschergarten, and found them to be very warm and welcoming. And I know they get rave reviews. The hotel is well-located and beautifully decorated with flower baskets on the balconies---a perfect Swiss chalet. But, as between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, I would pick Lauterbrunnen. It is situated in a lovely valley, and the town is small and less congested with tour busses than Grindelwald. So if the Staubbach or Silberhorn has a balcony room for you, that would be my suggestion.

You really can't go wrong with any of them.

I would recommend either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald over Kandersteg because there is so much more that one can do in the Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald area.

Grindelwald is a much, much larger village than Lauterbrunnen; in fact, I would not classify Grindelwald as a "village" because of its thriving crowds of tourists. Of the two, Grindelwald is MUCH more active and full of businesses.

In Lauterbrunnen, my usual residence for a week or more in August, the Silberhorn is arguably the best hotel in town with the Oberlander second. The Staubbach is not well known to me, hence I don't have evidence to support a conclusion.

I do not know the hotels in the Kandersteg area. My recommendation for either Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald is based on the activity potential in the area.

Obviously my preference is for Lauterbrunnen. It is a transportation center with access to Wengen and Mürren on opposite sides of the valley. Grindelwald is a short drive away.

We will be staying at the Hotel Silberhorn in 2 weeks. (as long as we get the kids' passports in time) When are you planning to go?

Travelatte

I stayed in Lauterbrunnen at the Silberhorn and loved it. We had a room in the chalet, a separate smaller building, with a huge balcony around 2 full sides of the room overlooking the valley and the mountainside across from us. We had to walk upstairs at the chalet, but the staff carried our suitcases for us. The breakfast buffet was superb and there was a nice restaurant there for dinner (yummy fondue!), although we left the hotel for less expensive dinners most evenings. The Silberhorn is just up from the train station whereas the Staubbach is closer to the other end of town and requires a bit of a walk to get there. I did stop in the Staubbach to see the lobby and it seemed much older and not as pretty as the Silberhorn. What I saw made me happy I chose our hotel. I did not see the rooms there though, so they may have been nice.

Here are my Switzerland pictures - if you go to the Lauterbrunnen pix, # 6-11 are of the Silberhorn.

http://tinyurl.com/ynvnz2

Hi kwren,
I am getting excited about my trip reading about your visit.
Odyssey4 I did request a balcony as well as a family room.
Travelatte

Hi travelatte

You're so lucky to be going to such a beautiful area - I can't believe I was there almost a year ago! How long will you be staying at the Silberhorn? How old are your kids? I was there with my 2 12 year olds and we ended every day on our balcony playing games, having drinks and snacks, and watching the little trains weave up the hill on the other side of the valley. My kids especially enjoyed going up the Jungfrau and Schilthorn and the hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg.

If you are interested in a folk festival, ask at the hotel desk if there is one schedules at the Lauterbrunnen campground. We went to one there on a Friday night and it was a great opportunity with mostly locals at the tables around us.

Have fun!

Kwren,
So far only 3 nights. (I still have one more hotel to book after that.) The boys will be 11 and 7, but the 7 yr old will turn 8 on the day we were planning to go on to France. Ugh, still so much to do!!

Travelatte

Travelatte

I went to France for a wedding with one of my sons when he was 8! We had the best time and he loved everything about our trip. He also played his sax at a wedding reception in southern France on his 14th birthday. I can't keep that kid down! (he's now 17 )

On this past trip, we also went to France - a week in Paris and a few days in the countryside between Fountainbleau and Provins, as well as Austria. I plan my vacations with my kids around keeping them happy with things for me thrown in as much as possible. It's usully a great combination for us all.

kwren

Wow- thank you to everyone. The answer to Melnq8's queston about how many nights... 3 nights in either Lauterbrunnen, Kandersteg or Grindelwald, and then two nights in the Lucerne area.
Enzian and Brookwood, after reading the posts, it seems Lauterbrunnen gets the vote. I was sort of leaning that way, but thought I might be missing something in my analysis. Grindelwald seems nice, too. I guess it boils down to proximity. We want to see the Trummelbach Falls, do an easy hike, see the beautiful mountains, and take a day trip west to see the cheese and watches. Touristy, yes, I know. I want to ride a funicular or cable car, too. And it seems my husband and daughter are interested in the paragliding (?). Is it safe?

Any opinions on the Lucerne or Lake Brienz part? Weggis or the Roggerli or the Iseltwald?

Thanks so much to everyone. Oh and kwren, the photos were great. Thanks for sharing. The luggage cart looked a bit scary!

Travelatte, we will be there at the end of June to the beginning of July. My daughter is 16 and she will be with us while my son tours in Austria and some eastern European countries with his boy's choir group.

In that case, I'd suggest Lauterbrunnen too. It's a great base for the Berner Oberland and provides easy access to Wengen, Murren, & Grindelwald. Each time we pass through Kandersteg, we promise ourselves "next time", but have yet to squeeze it in. So much to see and do, you'll be spoiled for choice.

Have a great trip.

A stay in Weggis would be fantastic, too. Lake Lucerne is so gorgeous. What an experience swimming in that setting! We stayed in Vitznau and in Wengen, and we loved our stay on the lake every bit as much as we did in the mountains.

Your teen may also really like going to Mt. Pilatus where this is a fantastic ropes course. There is a toboggan run, too.

Skate dancer, thank you for your input. I am hoping we have a chance (weather permitting) to go to Pilatus. That's the main reason for being near Lucerne. I think we'll visit the old town, maybe the Transportation Museum, a ferry ride on the lake, and then Pilatus.
I haven't read much about the ropes course- just that there is one and the kids will love it. The toboggan run also appeals. Do you know anything about these?

Where did you stay in Vitznau? I don't really have a preference- just looking for an easy base. I don't imagine we'll spend too much time in the room!

Although you have decided to stay in Lauterbrunnen, you might want to keep the Hotel Gletschergarten in mind for another trip. I stayed at the hotel last September and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there again. The owners were very hospitable and my room on the third floor was large and had a very scenic view of the mountains. And I liked Grindelwald very much because it seemed to have a nice variety of restaurants.

The village also served as a good base for our excursions.... Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, First, Wengen, Murren, etc. Well, I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options. Have a great trip.

Just got back from Switzerland and we stayed 3 nights at Hotel Staubbach. It is a basic hotel, sparseley furnished, the lighting in the room was not good. But, the hotel staff was very friendly and helpful and the breakfast was very good. Staying in Lauterbrunnen was a good choice. We went to Grindelwald and many other places and places were easy to get to from Lauterbrunnen. The town is just big enough to have choices of restaurants, but small enough to be quaint. My husband and I really enjoyed Lauterbrunnen and Hotel Staubbach.

RickyB- Thank you for your assessment. I am sure we will be back. Narrowing down the destinations has been grueling for me. Everything is so appealing. I struggle to cut things out, and truly respect opinions of those who experienced these places. I am grateful we have the chance to visit and show our daughter these beautiful places with so much history. I am also looking forward to the people there. I remember from previous visits the European standard of service is excellent.

The only significant amount of time I've spent in Switzerland was when I was 16, and our family went on vacation to Europe. My father had a business meeting in Switzerland with a group- something about fire safety manufacturing. We toured the facility, stayed in Flumserberg for about 5 nights with the group and then a couple of nights near Lucerne. I distinctly remember eating at a cafe in Lucerne (old town?). It was the best spaghetti I've had in my life! To this day, no spaghetti has ever topped that meal. So, I am really looking forward to going back. It seems to come full circle- we're taking our daughter there and she's 16. Don't know what took us so long!

Update...The Hotel Silberhorn will not guarantee the view or balcony. They said they will arrange if one is available when we arrive. The Hotel Gletschergarten will specifically reserve the south facing triple room with the balcony. The Hotel Staubbach does not have a balcony- it is a public one across the hall. So, I am officially narrowing my choices to the Gletschergarten and Silberhorn. The Gletschergarten costs 100 CHF more than the Silberhorn. RickyB gives it a nice review. Given what we want to see...which is more convenient?

Also, is there a way to bike ride in this area. Not uphill, of course, but I thought I read something about a downhill ride to Interlaken and then you could somehow get back to Lauterbrunnen. I did not bookmark that at the time, unfortunately.

I once read about something called trotti-bikes (I believe) from Grindlewald, if that helps. You could google it for more info - i couldn't find it when I searched Fodors.