Well, that is my hotel, and I refer to it as Schloss Andi & Judi (otherwise known as good cop, bad cop) but I am always reluctant to recommend as I don't want it to get too popular.

But the view from the terrace of this hotel will take your breath away.

It is a life-changing view.

Mel, you know when you enter the hotel and walk down the steps to reception you see the large poster of Spiez Castle!

And Judi puts that little piece of cake in all the rooms.


Thin

Sorry about that Thin, didn't mean to let the cat out of the bag.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Much appreciated. I will look at the Belleveu too. This forum is my favorite hangout....always informative and helpful and never dull! I will return with more requests as I plan this trip one stop at a time.

Okay, nwheel, now that it seems you have decided on Wengen (absolutely the right choice IMO) we can all get down to more targeted recommendations.

We have been to the region 16 times in the past 18 years and always decide that Wengen is the top spot to choose as a base. We don't care so much for Grindelwald (too busy, not in the mountains). Mürren is lovely but is a bit too small and remote for our taste. We have found Wengen to be a perfect mix of car-free "old Switzerland village" vibe, enough infrastructure (food shopping, restaurants, bars, retail) and the most jaw-dropping views in the region

As for hotels, the Bellevue has, hands down, the most stunning view in the village. Quite possibly the most stunning view in all of Switzerland. See the webcam at http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/

We have never stayed at the hotel as we always perch in Wengen for weeks at a time therefore rent a chalet. However, we have rented the small Chalet Mutzli immediately next to Bellevue 8 times, 9th time coming up in August. So we know the view well, the people that run the hotel well. You cannot go wrong with this. It is an older property, extremely well kept, but I think they only have wifi in the public room, not in the guest rooms.

Alpenrose is lovely, has a great family/welcoming vibe about it. Good food. Fine views but nothing like Bellevue.

Hotel Schönegg is also wonderful. Again, not the views from Bellevue but okay. The draw of the Schönegg is the old-world upscale Swiss architecture/feel/service and the kitchen. OMG, it is the best food in all of the BO, perhaps all of Switzerland.

Oh, and with any hotel in Wengen, just call or email them, tell them about your reason for visiting, and what you want in a room. They will steer you to the best available room that meets your criteria. No need to spend time and energy trying to get a specific room recommendation from other travelers. Of course, that never hurts but isn't necessary. The hotel managers in the village are very trustworthy and will do whatever they can to make sure your vacation is a huge success.

Thin, LOL!

Another vote for Wengen, and absolutely, the Schönegg restaurant.

Hubert Mayer is an unbelievable chef.

I met him and had a long conversation with him.

He goes out into the forest and picks mushrooms and herbs that he uses in his cooking.

Judi gets angry when I decline dinner at BV and go to Schonegg to dine instead.

Thin

Wengen is exceptional - its isolation, only being accessible for the public by train from Lauterbrunnen or aerial cable way from Grindelwald via The Mannlichen - is a draw many folks like and I can see that - like Gimmelwald where I stayed twice - just a unique feeling of isolation - Gimmelwald even more than Wengen as Wengen is a proper town with stores, pubs, etc - Gimmelwald is a hamlet with very little there.

But Grindelwald to me has the finest views in the whole Jungfrau Region - a wide amphitheater from right to left - from Kleine Schiedegg to Grosse Sheidegg - about a 180-degree panorama - you can see aerial cable ways and toy-like mountain trains going off in all directions

you can see the whole of the Jungfrau Massif (not possible from Wengen, which is on the other side of a ridge so from there you have a lovely view but not nearly so encompassing as from Grindelwald.

Grindelwald may have its drawbacks in terms on more crowds for foks seeking solitude but it does have by far IMO the finest view of any place in the Jungfrau Region and from your hotel balcony you can drink up the intoxicating views.

There are often thunderstorms in the high Alps and on several occasions I saw them from Grindelwald and when the hard rain hits the virtually vertical cliffs right opposite town the cascading of water off the rocky wall is so so awesome!

Pal, I agree on most what you say, but you are not right here:

> you can see the whole of the Jungfrau Massif (not possible from Wengen, which is on the other side of a ridge so from there you have a lovely view but not nearly so encompassing as from Grindelwald.

Actually, you cannot see the Jungfrau massif at all from Grindelwald. The Männlichen ridge separates the two Lütschinen valleys (one where Grindelwald is, the other where Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren are), so that you can see either one or the other from the respective villages.

Grindelwald is located in a wide open valley with view from Grosse Scheidegg to Kleine Scheidegg - that includes Wetterhorn, Mittagshorn and Eiger mountains, but you cannot see Mönch, and not Jungfrau.

From Wengen you can perfectly see Mt. Jungfrau with its glaciers. Not the Eiger. I personally prefer Wengen because it it is perched high up on that sunny (afternoon) terrace and because of the dramatic views of the Lauterbrunnen valley plus the glaciers of Mt. Jungfrau etc. I do grumble when paying the bill for parking in Lauterbrunnen, though. And I hate schlepping the luggage up to my hotel in Wengen. LOL

To each their own!

"I do grumble when paying the bill for parking in Lauterbrunnen, though."

Er. . . . I have a solution!

s

LOL - I knew you would comment on this, s! Do you really want me to list the reasons why train is not really an option for me to get to the Bernese Oberland? ;-)

lol -- no. I'm just gonna ignore you!

(talk to you soon)

s

I read all these comments and was settled on Wengen, the Bellevue. We will arrive by train from Germany on October 7th. Is this too late to travel in this region. The Bellevue shows it is closed for Oct & Nov. Can anyone explain this. I have only been to this area once..younger days skiing. Took trains from Interlaken.

Judi and Andi usually close up the Bellevue around Sept. 22 and reopen at the start of the ski season.

Thin

PS

I just looked at photos I have of Wengen and you can clearly see the Jungfrau from the terrace of the Bellevue.

Thin

This whole region is heavenly. I personally love the view from Mannlichen toward Grindelwald with Wetterhorn towering in the background. Incredible!

kaf1 -

It's not unusual for hotels to close for a few months between seasons. This is also the time that cable cars and gondolas are serviced, so you may run into some temporary closures there as well.

While actual closure dates vary between areas, in my experience, the only hotel open year round in the Wengen-Murren area is the Hotel Alpenruh in Murren.

Don't let this deter you...traveling in the off season can be a wonderful thing, but only if you're willing to accept closures.

A potential solution is to rent an apartment - most apartments rent for a minimum of a week during the busy seasons, but will rent for less than a week during slow periods.

I'd personally not hesitate to visit the BO in October, but I'm an off season traveler and have been to Switzerland many times. A first time visitor might not appreciate the peace and quiet, as it comes with a price - closures.

melnq8
We would be alright with some closures, but I am trying to picture how closed. For example, if we find an apartment, would there be restaurnats open in walking distance, etc.

Also would consider Murren hotel, but will we be able to get trains from Interlaken to Murren at thsi time of year?

I was in that area once 25yrs ago to ski..beautiful. My husband has never been.

Last question if you know..cn we get to the Jungfrau area by train on our way to Milan?

I really appreciate your help.

Also would consider Murren hotel, but will we be able to get trains from Interlaken to Murren at thsi time of year>

Yes the aerial cable way from the Lauterbrunnen Valley and train once up top to Murren will be running regular schedules in September - lots of people do live in Murren - the town itself does not close down though during this shoulder season between summer hiking and winter crowds yes some hotels may close and take their own vacations.

Jungfraujoch train en route to Milan - well yes if you want to go down first to Lauterbrunnen - put your bags in a train station locker there - then hop on the train via Wengen to Kleine Schiedegg and transfer to the actual Jungfrau train from there - and back down to Lauterbrunnen - pick up your bags and head to Interlaken-Ost - take a train to Spiez, a station on the mainline Bern to Milan via Brig/Visp.