nwheel

We are scheduled to spend 4 days in Switzerland in mid September. We are interested in the Berner Oberland area and have stayed in Murren some years ago. I am trying to decide between Wengen and Grindelwald. Any pros and cons?

PalenQ

The younger and more active at night you are go to Grindelwald where there are lots of younger travelers and a raft of nightlife.

Wengen IME is far more quiet and smaller and appeals more to a family and older more sedate crowd.

Wengen rolls up the sidewalks at night - Grindelwald's streets are full of strollers - a bigger town.

Two very different places - if you like tranquility and peace and quiet chose Wengen though parts of Grindelwald can be this way to.

That is my take - others will differ perhaps. I have stayed in Grindelwald many times but have only passes through and around Wengen but that is my impression - not a town for bar hopping though there are no doubt a few there.

The views from each are spectacular - I love Grindelwald's views of a wide amphitheatre - Wengen's views are often called amongst the finest in the Alps.

HappyTrvlr

You can drive to Grindelwald but not to Wengen.

Dukey1

We stayed in Grindelwald last July for four nights. We had read lots of comments about how it is "clogged with tour buses" but we did not find that to be the case. Our hotel (the Derby) was located adjacent to the railway station and that spot IS busy because so many folks depart from there for the trip up the Jungfrau, etc.

There seems to be one main "shopping" street which has the usual stuff on offer, everything from watches, to clothes, to ski equipment, etc., etc. If you are looking for 'quaint stereotypical Swiss village "charm" then this is NOT the place.

Views of the Eiger? This IS one of the places.

Wengen, which we enjoyed visiting, seems to be a much much quieter kind of place. Not sure it is quite as easy to get from A to B from Wewngen but it also has some spectacular views.

swandav2000

Hi nwheel,

I've stayed at both Grindelwald and in Wengen many times, and I prefer Wengen. You'll be missing the worst of the tour busses (which are bad in July and August), but I still would recommend Wengen. I just love the atmosphere of a car-free town -- the atmosphere and the air, lol!

It can be quite lively at night. I was roaming the streets one dark night looking for a restaurant and stumbled upon some bars that were packed with what looked like ski instructors -- all young and super fit and tanned.

But really you can't lose -- this is a win/win decision!

s

Ingo

I also prefer Wengen. The view from half-way up of the Lauterbrunnen valley (like in Wengen) is more dramatic than the views in Grindelwald. Also, instead of the rather dark and gloomy Eiger you see the glaciers of Mt. Jungfrau, with the Silberhorn sparkling in the sun and turning unbelievable red-ish colours after sunset. The contrast between the cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen valley, the green pastures of Wengen and Mürren (opposite side of the valley), and the mountains and glaciers higher up is gorgeous.

I found Wengen to be lively enough in September - stayed at the Hotel Silberhorn right by the train station.

If you liked Mürren then you'll love Wengen.

Grindelwald is not really that bad, but I'd definitely choose a hotel/apartment a bit away from the main street.

PalenQ

I've stayed at both Grindelwald and in Wengen many times, and I prefer Wengen. You'll be missing the worst of the tour busses (which are bad in July and August)>

We stayed in Grindelwald last July for four nights. We had read lots of comments about how it is "clogged with tour buses" but we did not find that to be the case.>

Wow two very different takes on the same place in the same time - my recollections are in line with Dukey - Grindelwald not being completely overrun by tour buses - I recall they stick to a relatively small part of town and most of the town's accommodations or many are on vehicle-free lanes where such buses could not even go on.

Pepper_von_snoot

Grindelwald sux!

"A raft of nightlife"?????

You, sir, are no Alexander Pope.

This thread should be titled--- Grindelwald and Wengen as discussed at an AA meeting.


Thin

PalenQ

Thin - you sir (??!!!??) are no Pope!

Dukey1

I'd say the view into Thin's rear end is the dark and gloomy one.

Pepper_von_snoot

Come on!

None of these places is Las Vegas or 6th Street in Austin or the East Village.

What you are going to get is sitting on the porch of some tiny pub drinking a beer, no matter Wengen or Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.

Thin

Toucan

When visiting Switzerland "night life" has never made into the top ten reasons to be there! By the time night rolls around I'm exhausted from the incredible "day life"! But then night life is available to me via a 20 minute drive to the Las Vegas Strip but I seldom go there.

Either place will be fine though I personally prefer Wengen because it is car free and perched on a hill with an incredible view down the valley. But the same could be said for Grindelwald.

With my 16 year old son as my travel companion this summer we are staying at the Valley Hostel in Lauterbrunnen!

Melnq8

I personally prefer Wengen over Grindelwald. I've stayed in Murren, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen multiple times. Stayed in Grindelwald and Interlaken once each, no interest in staying in either again, but that's just me.

They all have their good points.

It's the Berner Oberland, you really can't go wrong!

kja

I think Wengen would be a better choice for most travelers than Grindelwald. That said, as several others have noted, you don't have a bad choice here! Enjoy!

nwheel

Thanks everyone for your input. We are not looking for nightlife. We live in LA ...need I say more? I think the car free aspect of Wengen sounds very appealing. We loved Murren and were awed constantly by the fabulous view. Any suggestions for hotels or Bed and Berakfast places in wengen?

swandav2000

Hi again,

The two times I stayed in Wengen, I stayed at the Alpenrose, a 3-star hotel with incredible views.

www.alpenrose.ch

They have an electric cart and will pick you up from the station.

s

nwheel

Swandav2000, this looks perfect ! We are marking 30 years of wedded bliss and I think the Alpenrose is spot on. Are there any particular rooms to ask for in terms of a balcony with a view?

swandav2000

Ohhh gosh. I can't remember the room number, but the best room I had there was a corner room on the 3d floor.

Congratulations!!

s

PalenQ

We loved Murren and were awed constantly by the fabulous view>

If you loved Murren then you will love Wengen and certainly more than a Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen and being from LA I certainly understand that!

Wengen is considerably better located for lots of excursions than Murren and if you have a Swiss Pass or other pass they pass, at least Swiss Pass, in full to Wengen. For someone who wants total peace and quiet Wengen cannot be topped!

Melnq8

We liked the Belluvue in Wengen, although its been a few years since we stayed there.

http://www.bellevue-wengen.ch/

We stayed in room #208, a corner unit with a two-sided balcony and a spectacular view of the Jungfrau from the bed.