Websites for Swiss Hotels/Inns?
 

I'll be traveling through Switzerland this September on a flexible schedule, and I'm looking for a reliable website or two in English, that will let me book a hotel/inn a few hours before I arrive to the area.
Thanks,

Whitey

A few hours before you arrive to the area? Forget it. Go to the Tourist Information in that town upon arrival and they'll book for you. You get better information about the hotels there and know what you book then.

Why through a website?

Hi Ingo,
I have my itinerary and route all worked out - thanks again for your help on that part. So at this point I am researching possible hotels or inns to stay in along the way. I do not want to book a room ahead of time, in case I want to stay in a particular area longer(that's why I want to book a few hours before I arrive).

Last night I was researching Pontresina, and with the currency exchange at its lowest rate in the past ten years - the hotels are very expensive. So, I wanted to search the smaller towns in the surrounding area like Cellerina. I'd rather get an online confirmation, than drive to several small towns and wait in line at the TI, especially if I was to arrive later in the evening.

Do you think that the TI would have a greater number of the smaller, less expensive hotels than a website would? If that is the case - then I would be better served following your previous advice.

My estimated areas to stay in are:
Berner Oberland - Grindelwald(easiest with a car).
Lucerne - I'm thinking of driving to/staying in Weggis and boating to Lucerne.
Pontresina - Maybe Cellerina?
Lugano/Ascona - ???

Thanks,
Whitey

Here's a link for Grindelwald: http://www.grindelwald.com/summer-uk.php

As for Weggis, we stayed here last May for 2 nights, and I can highly recommend it. Short walk to the ferry pier. http://www.gotthard-weggis.ch/GotthardNeu/startE.htm ((b))

I also agree that booking just a few hours before may not be possible through the site itself, IMO you are better off calling each hotel if you are literally booking just a few hours out, they will offer you good rates for that night. Or just show up at hotels you have chosen and ask for their rate for the night, and if you don't like it move on (can get tiresome if hotels are far apart.) However, some sites to look at would be:

alpineclassics.ch
relaischateaux.com
romantikhotels.ch
www.swisshotels.ch
summithotels.com
karenbrown.com (for good reccos, you can't book through this site, but there are links to individual hotels)

Celerina has only on "l" .

Weggis is a good choice, as is Vitznau.

IMO there is no reason to stay in Grindelwald just because you have a car. You can park at the car park in Latuerbrunnen just as easily and go up to Wengen or Murren or stay in Lauterbrunnen. (Although my vote would be for Wengen.)

I've used this site for research not booking but they do have a "last minute" hotel search feature. Sounds like a fun trip!
www.myswitzerland.com

Hi Whitey,

I remember your earlier threads. Yes, Pontresina is quite pricey. Celerina is an option, but I think Samedan is yet less expensive. The problem is that not all - and the less expensive in particular - hotels/inns are listed on direct booking websites. Samedan has its own website, but it is in German, sorry. But you might have a look at the hotels there at least:

www.samedan-tourismus.ch/stn/index.htm

Click on "Unterkunft" and then on "Hotelliste" to see a list of hotels. I recommend "Central Garni" and "Weisses Kreuz", two cosy inns in central location if you look for relatively inexpensive acc. A double room with shower/WC incl. breakfast comes to 130 Sfr. per night in the latter, the first one is a bit more expensive. They also have rooms with shower/WC on the floor, which are less expensive.

In general I would recommend to book in advance if you are on a tight budget. It might happen the cheaper places are booked and you can only get expensive rooms. September is (especially if weather is fine and on weekends) high season in some regions.

You might also try www.bnb.ch for B&B's all over Switzerland.

More about the other regions later,

Ingo

here's a site for Swiss "budget" hotels:

www.rooms.ch

Thanks for the websites and tips everyone, it is exactly the kind of info that I was looking for.

I originally had intended to stay in Wengen, but after reading Budman's trip report - I had changed my mind to try Grindelwald because getting the luggage to the hotel would be easier and there would be more food options to satisfy my finicky three year old.

Thanks again,
Whitey

I cannot be of much help for the other destinations, sorry. Here is the info I can provide:

For Luzern I would recommend Pension Villa Maria. Website only in German, but you can see a picture and rates for double rooms w/ or w/o private bathroom. Ask for rooms not facing the main street. Friends of mine stayed there and enjoyed it. www.a-o.ch/6006-villa_maria
(O.k. I know you want to stay in Weggis, but I have no recommendation for that small town).

For Ascona check www.maggiore.ch They often have special offers/deals. Please consider Locarno as well, which is IMO a bit less expensive. For example, Hotel Piccolo or Hotel Rio are good options. Please note that parking can be a problem (at least expensive) in both towns, if your hotel has no private parking - like most of the small and cheap hotels in Locarno's old town.

I.

just bookmarking for 2007 :)

Me too!