Vevey/Montreux/Interlaken with 2 kids - Itinerary and lodging help please!
Apr 24th, 2013, 09:58 AM
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Vevey/Montreux/Interlaken with 2 kids - Itinerary and lodging help please!
Hi Swiss experts!
I am planning our annual summer mountain “fix". We’ve been to the Berner Oberland (BO) region in 2011 and this time, we want to allocate a few nights to Vevey/Montreux area. We are comprised of DH, DS (age 3) and DD (age 5) and me.
So far, basic itinerary:
July 26 –arrive Geneva - drive to Vevey/Montreux. DH really wants car for first leg of trip.
July 27 - Chateau de Chillon/explore Vevey and/or Montreux.
July 28 – Boat cruise/ stop at Le Bouveret to visit the Swiss Vapeur Parc .
July 29 – Scenic drive to Interlaken with stops at Gruyeres (no interest in chocolate factory/Broc), Gstaad, other? with plan to arrive Interlaken late afternoon and drop off car.
July 30 – Aug 2 - BO region
1 day for Jungfrau (only if weather cooperates) – not super important to us.
1 day for Murren/Allmendhubel/Gimmelwald loop.
1 day (Aug 1) – celebrate Swiss National day with lake cruise to Thun and picnic.
1 day for a Wengen/Mannlichen/Grindelwald loop
Aug 3 – train to Geneva or Zurich and fly back to UK.
Questions:
1) Vevey vs Montreux base. Leaning towards Vevey as seems a bit more quiet with the kids and like the idea of the market on Saturday. I’m looking at hotels including the Grand Hotel Du Lac or Hotel des Trois Couronnes in Vevey. In Montreux there seem to be lots of big grand hotels but hard to really distinguish between them as I’m not sure what is best location given our itin. Any views/recommendations? Our top priorities are location, views, and availability to book two connected rooms or a better yet a suite or room that could fit family of four. Based on research thus far, I’m prepared for steep prices!
2) Scenic drive to Interlaken – any towns/recommendations to stop along the way other than Gruyeres/Gstaad?
3) Murren/Allmendhubel/Gimmelwald loop - how is the walk from Murren to Gimmelwald for a 3 and 5 year old? Then do we go back to Lauterbrunnen via Murren or can you go straight to Lauterbrunnen from Gimmelwald (seems this involves a bus)?
4) Wengen/Mannlichen/Grindelwald loop using the cable car from Wengen to Mannlichen and then gondola from Mannlichen to Grindelwald. Is this recommended? Would plan stops along the way for snacks/play/lunch etc and then finally train from Grindelwald back to Interlaken. We’ve been to Wengen in the past but not on the Mannlichen cable car or to Grindelwald so thought this might be an interesting round trip.
Thanks in advance!
I am planning our annual summer mountain “fix". We’ve been to the Berner Oberland (BO) region in 2011 and this time, we want to allocate a few nights to Vevey/Montreux area. We are comprised of DH, DS (age 3) and DD (age 5) and me.
So far, basic itinerary:
July 26 –arrive Geneva - drive to Vevey/Montreux. DH really wants car for first leg of trip.
July 27 - Chateau de Chillon/explore Vevey and/or Montreux.
July 28 – Boat cruise/ stop at Le Bouveret to visit the Swiss Vapeur Parc .
July 29 – Scenic drive to Interlaken with stops at Gruyeres (no interest in chocolate factory/Broc), Gstaad, other? with plan to arrive Interlaken late afternoon and drop off car.
July 30 – Aug 2 - BO region
1 day for Jungfrau (only if weather cooperates) – not super important to us.
1 day for Murren/Allmendhubel/Gimmelwald loop.
1 day (Aug 1) – celebrate Swiss National day with lake cruise to Thun and picnic.
1 day for a Wengen/Mannlichen/Grindelwald loop
Aug 3 – train to Geneva or Zurich and fly back to UK.
Questions:
1) Vevey vs Montreux base. Leaning towards Vevey as seems a bit more quiet with the kids and like the idea of the market on Saturday. I’m looking at hotels including the Grand Hotel Du Lac or Hotel des Trois Couronnes in Vevey. In Montreux there seem to be lots of big grand hotels but hard to really distinguish between them as I’m not sure what is best location given our itin. Any views/recommendations? Our top priorities are location, views, and availability to book two connected rooms or a better yet a suite or room that could fit family of four. Based on research thus far, I’m prepared for steep prices!
2) Scenic drive to Interlaken – any towns/recommendations to stop along the way other than Gruyeres/Gstaad?
3) Murren/Allmendhubel/Gimmelwald loop - how is the walk from Murren to Gimmelwald for a 3 and 5 year old? Then do we go back to Lauterbrunnen via Murren or can you go straight to Lauterbrunnen from Gimmelwald (seems this involves a bus)?
4) Wengen/Mannlichen/Grindelwald loop using the cable car from Wengen to Mannlichen and then gondola from Mannlichen to Grindelwald. Is this recommended? Would plan stops along the way for snacks/play/lunch etc and then finally train from Grindelwald back to Interlaken. We’ve been to Wengen in the past but not on the Mannlichen cable car or to Grindelwald so thought this might be an interesting round trip.
Thanks in advance!
Apr 24th, 2013, 12:07 PM
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There isn't a big difference between Vevey and Montreux. Both are in the same conurbation. Montreux is a bit greener (more parks). Frequent trolleybuses and commuter trains go from Vevey via Montreux and Chillon up to Villeneuve at the upper and of the lake. For fine views over the lake and the Alps, check Glion, Caux, Sonzier, Chernex, Blonay, Mont Pelerin ...
There is a motorway between Montreux and Bulle - Gruyeres: not particularly scenic. It continues from Bulle to Fribourg - Berne. The itinerary from Gruyeres via Gstaad to Interlaken is a big detour on secondary roads.
Muerren - Gimmelwald is a short walk. The walk from Muerren to Gruetschalp would be more scenic but too long without stroller.
There is a motorway between Montreux and Bulle - Gruyeres: not particularly scenic. It continues from Bulle to Fribourg - Berne. The itinerary from Gruyeres via Gstaad to Interlaken is a big detour on secondary roads.
Muerren - Gimmelwald is a short walk. The walk from Muerren to Gruetschalp would be more scenic but too long without stroller.
Apr 24th, 2013, 12:29 PM
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I gather you are going to have a car while you are in Vevey or Montreux, is that correct? Because I think that is a pretty important factor in your decision and in hotel recommendations, as well as where you should stay. Hotels are expensive in Montreux, but if you have a car you probably wouldn't best stay in the same hotel if you needed to get around by public transportation (train, bus) or to walk around the center. Views usually depend on your room, and you would pay for better views and higher up rooms, or rooms facing one direction, of course (eg, in Montreux, some rooms may face the lake and others the opposite direction, same in Vevey).
well, the Royal Plaza in Montreux would certainly fit your bill, it is just out of town a bit or at least on the western edge so near Vevey, and they only charge around 20 euro for parking. They do have family suites with a terrace and view (2 bathrms and a separate room for the kids, I think), but that is around 430 CHF or 350 euro a night in July. I really liked the Suisse Majestic but am not sure if they have family rooms or what their parking situation is like. It is right across from the train station, convenient and upper rooms have great views, but if you have a car, you don't need that exact location. However, that price could be less than paying for two doubles in some hotels, actually (eg, I checked the Ermitage au Lac nearby and they don't seem to have family rooms and each std double is 270 CHF, not sure).
I imagine rates in Vevey are more reasonable, but it's not unknown, either. I think you can get some hotels with views kind of more up in the hills around Montreux rather than right on the lake.
well, the Royal Plaza in Montreux would certainly fit your bill, it is just out of town a bit or at least on the western edge so near Vevey, and they only charge around 20 euro for parking. They do have family suites with a terrace and view (2 bathrms and a separate room for the kids, I think), but that is around 430 CHF or 350 euro a night in July. I really liked the Suisse Majestic but am not sure if they have family rooms or what their parking situation is like. It is right across from the train station, convenient and upper rooms have great views, but if you have a car, you don't need that exact location. However, that price could be less than paying for two doubles in some hotels, actually (eg, I checked the Ermitage au Lac nearby and they don't seem to have family rooms and each std double is 270 CHF, not sure).
I imagine rates in Vevey are more reasonable, but it's not unknown, either. I think you can get some hotels with views kind of more up in the hills around Montreux rather than right on the lake.
Apr 24th, 2013, 01:09 PM
#4
My suggestion is that you stay closer to Vevey if possible.
If you were on your way there last year, I would say don't stay there, but my guess is that the Hostellerie Bon Rivage car park and other construction is now complete. If that is so, I would highly recommend it. See my description in Fodors destinations, the Vaud region:
http://fodors.com/world/europe/switz...ew-145031.html
That explains the situation last year. But let me give you some of the pluses that would fit with your group.
First, you don't get nickel & dimed over everything -- car park is: free. Wireless internet is: free. Children under 12 in parents' room: free. Breakfast is: part of the hotel cost. And a free bus pass the whole time you are there.
Second, if you walk down through the back garden of fruits and vegetables to the water right in front of the hotel, you will have a small child's playground with swings and horsey style rockers. AND, a small beach area with a place for the kiddies to wade in Lac Leman. So, perfect for kids.
Third, it's about 2 blocks from Vevey. Or, you can take the free bus. Which will take you to Lausanne if that's where you want to go or Vevey -- at the pier where the steamer and summer tourist boats dock, right there you will see, aside from all of the beautiful swans, a wonderful vintage carousel, and further on, fountains the kids can play in, and off to the side, a rather large playground with slides and all sorts of fun playground equipment.
If you were on your way there last year, I would say don't stay there, but my guess is that the Hostellerie Bon Rivage car park and other construction is now complete. If that is so, I would highly recommend it. See my description in Fodors destinations, the Vaud region:
http://fodors.com/world/europe/switz...ew-145031.html
That explains the situation last year. But let me give you some of the pluses that would fit with your group.
First, you don't get nickel & dimed over everything -- car park is: free. Wireless internet is: free. Children under 12 in parents' room: free. Breakfast is: part of the hotel cost. And a free bus pass the whole time you are there.
Second, if you walk down through the back garden of fruits and vegetables to the water right in front of the hotel, you will have a small child's playground with swings and horsey style rockers. AND, a small beach area with a place for the kiddies to wade in Lac Leman. So, perfect for kids.
Third, it's about 2 blocks from Vevey. Or, you can take the free bus. Which will take you to Lausanne if that's where you want to go or Vevey -- at the pier where the steamer and summer tourist boats dock, right there you will see, aside from all of the beautiful swans, a wonderful vintage carousel, and further on, fountains the kids can play in, and off to the side, a rather large playground with slides and all sorts of fun playground equipment.
Apr 24th, 2013, 04:22 PM
#5
There is an enclosed public car parking lot across the street from the Suisse Majestic. I used it for 2-3 nights. Right next to the train station.
Loved that hotel and the views from my room overlooking the lake.
Loved that hotel and the views from my room overlooking the lake.
Apr 24th, 2013, 08:44 PM
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Hi NorCal_Jo,
I honestly think a car is going to be more hassle than it's worth for the Lake Geneva area. Your hosts will give you a Riviera Card, which makes the town busses free; the busses run all the way from Vevey to and through Montreux, to and past Chillon to the town of Villeneuve. The busses run every 10 minutes, and there are bus stops just about every other block.
You'll be there at the very height of the travel/tourist season (just days after the Montreux Jazz Festival closes), and parking will be difficult to find and navigating the streets will be stressful. Believe me, it will be tons easier to simply walk out of your hotel to a bus stop rather than fighting with all the other traffic.
I also bet you'll be on foot most of the time -- the flowered lakeside promenade is Montreux's best feature.
Have fun as you plan!
s
I honestly think a car is going to be more hassle than it's worth for the Lake Geneva area. Your hosts will give you a Riviera Card, which makes the town busses free; the busses run all the way from Vevey to and through Montreux, to and past Chillon to the town of Villeneuve. The busses run every 10 minutes, and there are bus stops just about every other block.
You'll be there at the very height of the travel/tourist season (just days after the Montreux Jazz Festival closes), and parking will be difficult to find and navigating the streets will be stressful. Believe me, it will be tons easier to simply walk out of your hotel to a bus stop rather than fighting with all the other traffic.
I also bet you'll be on foot most of the time -- the flowered lakeside promenade is Montreux's best feature.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Apr 25th, 2013, 04:32 AM
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Thanks everyone! So, sounds like I need to put some pressure on DH and the whole car thing. What happened is that the first time we went to Switzerland, we took only trains which I liked but DH was a bit grumbly. Then last summer we went to the Salzkammergut region in Austria and rented a car and my DH LOVED being able to drive around to various small towns/lakes so he now feels strongly he must drive around Lake Geneva and to Interlaken.
Anyway, even if the car sits unused in a parking lot for 2 days as a compromise to DH (wasteful I know), I really want to pick a hotel that doesn't require a car and that is easy walking with the kids to restaurants, shops, the pier, buses, etc as I vastly prefer not to deal with a car if I can walk or hop a easy train/bus.
I will definitely check out the Hostellerie Bon Rivage as well as Suisse Majestic. Surfergirl - the pier you mentioned with the playground and carousel is Vevey, right? That sounds quite nice. Looking a map, there appear to be two piers. Is that pier the one by what looks to be a central plaza ("Grande Place")? If so, it seems that the Hotel des Trois Couronnes is the closest but none of them seem too far (kids are used to a decent amount of walking from our trip to Paris last month).
In deciding between Vevey hotels (assuming we go that direction), clearly the Hostellerie Bon Rivage will be a better deal financially and seems like a really nice place. I noted it does not have air conditioning, is this typically a challenge given we are there in end of July? Also, is that little beach/swimming area intended to only hotel guests or is it public (if we stayed down the street at one of the other places)? Thanks everyone!
Anyway, even if the car sits unused in a parking lot for 2 days as a compromise to DH (wasteful I know), I really want to pick a hotel that doesn't require a car and that is easy walking with the kids to restaurants, shops, the pier, buses, etc as I vastly prefer not to deal with a car if I can walk or hop a easy train/bus.
I will definitely check out the Hostellerie Bon Rivage as well as Suisse Majestic. Surfergirl - the pier you mentioned with the playground and carousel is Vevey, right? That sounds quite nice. Looking a map, there appear to be two piers. Is that pier the one by what looks to be a central plaza ("Grande Place")? If so, it seems that the Hotel des Trois Couronnes is the closest but none of them seem too far (kids are used to a decent amount of walking from our trip to Paris last month).
In deciding between Vevey hotels (assuming we go that direction), clearly the Hostellerie Bon Rivage will be a better deal financially and seems like a really nice place. I noted it does not have air conditioning, is this typically a challenge given we are there in end of July? Also, is that little beach/swimming area intended to only hotel guests or is it public (if we stayed down the street at one of the other places)? Thanks everyone!
Apr 25th, 2013, 05:25 AM
#8
Gimmelwald to Stechelberg via gondola then post bus back to Lauterbrunnen.
You can also take gondola from Gimmelwald to Murren, walk through town to train station, take train to Grutschalp, then transfer to gondola to Lauterbrunnen.
Or you can walk to Grutschalp. Very beautiful walk.
Thin
You can also take gondola from Gimmelwald to Murren, walk through town to train station, take train to Grutschalp, then transfer to gondola to Lauterbrunnen.
Or you can walk to Grutschalp. Very beautiful walk.
Thin
Apr 26th, 2013, 11:28 AM
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Hello again - think will try to book Hotel des Trois Couronnes in Vevey and now looking at lodging in Wengen (was going to stay in a villa in Interlaken but now re-thinking). Liked the idea of Caprice but it might be sold out so now looking at Sunstar as it has advantage of an indoor swimming pool (if it rains) and centrally located in the village and near the playground. The other one that looks nice is Hotel Schönegg (no pool but also central location). Any thoughts on Sunstar vs Hotel Schonegg?
Apr 27th, 2013, 05:30 AM
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3) Murren/Allmendhubel/Gimmelwald loop - how is the walk from Murren to Gimmelwald for a 3 and 5 year old? Then do we go back to Lauterbrunnen via Murren or can you go straight to Lauterbrunnen from Gimmelwald (seems this involves a bus)?>
I've walked that paved path several times - as it is downhill it's not that hard but it is a few kilometers - can your kids walk that far?
From Gimmelwald you can take a thrilling aerial gondola down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor at Stechleberg and catch a postal bus back to Lauterbrunnen - all components of the Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp-Murren-Gimmelwald-Stechlberg-Laugterbrunnen fares are covered in full by a Swiss Pass so if you have a pass and it's a flexipass use one of your unlimited travel days on this expensive loop - you'd get 50% off Murren to Allmendubhel and also to Schilthorn/Piz Gloria.
For lots of great info on Swiss trains and the Berner Oberland transports check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
I've walked that paved path several times - as it is downhill it's not that hard but it is a few kilometers - can your kids walk that far?
From Gimmelwald you can take a thrilling aerial gondola down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor at Stechleberg and catch a postal bus back to Lauterbrunnen - all components of the Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp-Murren-Gimmelwald-Stechlberg-Laugterbrunnen fares are covered in full by a Swiss Pass so if you have a pass and it's a flexipass use one of your unlimited travel days on this expensive loop - you'd get 50% off Murren to Allmendubhel and also to Schilthorn/Piz Gloria.
For lots of great info on Swiss trains and the Berner Oberland transports check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Apr 27th, 2013, 06:32 AM
#12
Hotel Schonegg is infinitely superior to Sun Star.
Hotel Schonegg has the best chef in Wengen, Herr Mayer.
Herr Renee and Sina are charming hosts.
The playground is opposite the terrace of Schonegg.
The best views of Lauterbrunnen Valley are from Minotel Bellevue.
Thin
Hotel Schonegg has the best chef in Wengen, Herr Mayer.
Herr Renee and Sina are charming hosts.
The playground is opposite the terrace of Schonegg.
The best views of Lauterbrunnen Valley are from Minotel Bellevue.
Thin
Apr 27th, 2013, 07:43 AM
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Vevey had a lovely small artificial beach area with a cafe on it back in 2011. I loved it more than Montreux, which seemed more pompous. I was there right after the famous jazz festival, so it may have something to do with it.
Apr 29th, 2013, 10:35 AM
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We will also be in Vevey after the jazz festival (July 2013). I'm considering both Hostellerie Bon Rivage as well as Hostellerie de Geneve in Vevey itself. Both have family rooms that will fit our family of 5 and both are about the same price. I've heard its a 20min walk from Bon Rivage to Vevey and that concerns me a bit as we plan to ride the water ferries and visit the market in Vevey on Sat morning prior to departure. We will have just spent 3 days in Murren so I'm thinking the kids may be all walked out so being directly in Vevey is a bonus. But I'm concerned as I can't find many reviews on Hostellerie de Geneve. In my circumstances, are there any big negatives to staying at Hostellerie de Geneve? Would we be better off at Bon Rivage?
Apr 30th, 2013, 06:07 AM
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Sorry. Maybe I should have started my own thread. I guess I just wanted OP to know that I found another hotel in Vevey that holds a larger family (Hostellerie de Geneve) but I'm not 100% sure about it myself as I haven't found a lot of reviews. While I've heard great things about Hostellerie Bon Rivage, it is a 20min walk from Vevey. I'm not sure if he/she feels the same but with small kids, that 20min walk several times a day could be a negative. I'm just wondering if anyone has any negatives about Hostellerie de Geneve such that we shouldn't stay there, as it seems more of a convenient location.
Apr 30th, 2013, 10:05 AM
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As they say the Swiss wrote the book on hospitality and you can be fairly sure there are not many negatives about any Swiss hotel IME - that said the price is a guideline always it seems for comfort level.
Apr 30th, 2013, 10:24 AM
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Thanks PalenQ. That actually helps a lot. I like five star but honestly, we're finding it so hard finding a hotel in Europe where we can actually stay in one room rather than two adjoining that I'm more than ok with a two star location, as long as its clean and family friendly. Luxury isn't necessary at all as we plan to spend most of our time out enjoying all there is to see. 
Apr 30th, 2013, 12:28 PM
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Thanks everyone. PalenQ - I have a feeling we will be carrying kids on our shoulders on the last kilometer to Gimmelwald!
Casperjj - I agree that the extra few blocks can make a big difference for little ones at the end of a long day. I've been a bit distracted from my Vevey planning as I heard back from Hotel Schönegg and they gave me a few options that could work.
Now my challenge is whether I still allocate some of the days to Interlaken as I really wanted to spend Aug 1 Swiss National Day doing the boat cruise and picnic as it was so much fun last time with all the dancing/singing. So maybe:
3 nights Vevey
3 nights Wengen
3 nights Interlaken (this would include Aug 1)
I would probably prefer 4 nights in Wengen but usually don't like to stay less than 3 nights anywhere and I would prefer to be able to wake up in Interlaken on Aug 1 to catch the boat cruise without having to get up early to haul down from Wengen. Back to the drawing board.
Btw, does anyone have experience with the scenic boat cruises from Vevey/Montreux and particularly the boat cruise that stops at Le Bouveret?
Casperjj - I agree that the extra few blocks can make a big difference for little ones at the end of a long day. I've been a bit distracted from my Vevey planning as I heard back from Hotel Schönegg and they gave me a few options that could work.
Now my challenge is whether I still allocate some of the days to Interlaken as I really wanted to spend Aug 1 Swiss National Day doing the boat cruise and picnic as it was so much fun last time with all the dancing/singing. So maybe:
3 nights Vevey
3 nights Wengen
3 nights Interlaken (this would include Aug 1)
I would probably prefer 4 nights in Wengen but usually don't like to stay less than 3 nights anywhere and I would prefer to be able to wake up in Interlaken on Aug 1 to catch the boat cruise without having to get up early to haul down from Wengen. Back to the drawing board.
Btw, does anyone have experience with the scenic boat cruises from Vevey/Montreux and particularly the boat cruise that stops at Le Bouveret?
