10 Best Hotels in Berner Oberland, Switzerland

You’d never know that this modern hotel originally dates from 1864, since it was completely renovated before its reopening in 2018, but it still includes nods to its past as a gateway to the nearby glacier with design details resembling ice (such as etched glass on the closet doors and ice cube lamps in the inviting lounge area). It has a prime location looking out to Eiger’s North Face, and it's only about a 10-minute walk down to the Eiger Express or up to Grindelwald’s town center. Rooms feature a mountain-influenced color scheme, with dark blues and fuchsia; many have terraces with mountain views, and the honeymoon suite boasts its own whirlpool. Try a well-mixed cocktail or tea in the comfy lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Eiger, or if the weather’s nice, on the large outside terrace. The small spa has a sauna, a hammam, and a relaxation room with waterbeds, plus an outdoor Jacuzzi with views of the Eiger, along with a fitness room. The in-house gourmet restaurant offers creative meals for dinner and a good selection of items for breakfast.

A turn-of-the-20th-century mountain lodge done up in eclectic Alpine-vintage pageantry, this clubby lodging shakes up the pretty hamlet of Mürren with playful mountaineering style. Drei Berge attracts city-dwellers with an appreciation for cheeky design—note the Bernese bear drinking a beer on the hotel logo. Colorful pennants with names of peaks from around the world sweep across the carpeting in the lobby, and coats of arms painted in blues, reds, and golds run along the ceiling border in guest rooms swathed in warm wood paneling. Japanese and French dishes are served at dinner, along with high-altitude wines.

As you wind your way into Grindelwald, you can't help but notice this large pink structure perched precariously above the road; regular guest rooms aren't grand, but there are great views of the Eiger and surrounding peaks from almost everywhere—and every room boasts both a balcony and air-conditioning, rare for the region. Suites and common areas are tastefully designed. The staff radiates genuine warmth and absolute professionalism; the owner takes groups of guests curling, sledding, or on visits to organic farms. The bright and glossy restaurant has a fresh and creative menu. For total relaxation, there's an outdoor hot tub, plus an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room. The hotel also caters to kids with a games room and special children's menu in the restaurant.

With a front-row perch directly across from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, it's no surprise that most rooms at this welcoming family-run hotel flaunt balconies with peak views. Inside, all is comfortably charming: the adorable bar has a big fireplace hood, regular guest rooms come with elegant pine wainscoting, and suites feature exposed timber beams and lovely fabrics. Guest rooms and suites face either the mountains or the forest; alpine-style family suites have a separate living room and sleep up to three kids (along with two adults). In addition, the hotel has room to spare for an indoor pool with staggering views of the snowcapped mountains, not to mention a sauna and hot tub to warm up after a tough day on the slopes, along with a small fitness room if your outdoor adventures weren't enough. If you want to enjoy the high life—in more ways than one—head here.

With windows looking out onto the village church and Eiger’s iconic north face, this chic chalet hotel offers a warm welcome. A peaceful oasis on the edge of town, Hotel Fiescherblick emphasizes sustainability with its carbon-neutral heating system and purified mountain water. Rooms are outfitted in modern Scandinavian style with touches of pine green and rocky mountain gray. Some rooms feature hidden-in-the-wall bunk beds for guests traveling with children. The breakfast buffet includes homemade pastries and jams and locally produced cheeses and meats, and the highly acclaimed restaurant offers three- to seven-course tasting menus with wine pairings.

Perched up a small hill toward the western end of town, the Bergwelt is a blend of Alpine lodge and chic abode; it features brown-and-tan rooms with comfy beds, a spa with small indoor and outdoor pools, and a large lobby perfect for watching the scene. Though guest rooms are on the dark side, red plaid accents on the bed frames liven them up. Many rooms include balconies, though not all have mountain views. Suites have fireplaces, and two include private saunas; for larger groups, the hotel also offers apartments and residences with two and three bedrooms. BG’s Grill focuses on (what else?) grilled meats, and the mixologists at the Seven Spirits Bar whip up a fine cocktail. Besides the pools, the Fire & Ice Spa also includes saunas, a relaxation room, treatment rooms, and a fitness room.

This made-for-Instagram hotel with a young vibe offers pared-back rooms in moody browns and grays, a small restaurant with eclectic food, a co-working space, and a weekly roster of rotating activities included in the room price, from canyoning to jet boating to e-biking. Well-designed, if a bit basic, rooms come in singles, doubles, triples, or family rooms that sleep four, some with loft beds. Lisi restaurant offers a mix of sharing plates and main dishes influenced by the neighboring countries of Italy, Austria, and France, along with traditional Swiss dishes such as sliced veal and Rösti. If you need to fit in some work during your travels, the co-working space includes high-speed Wi-Fi, and drinks and snacks are available.

Built in 1895, soon after train tracks reached this mountain retreat, the Hotel Falken maintains its turn-of-the-century feel and its family-run friendliness; charming antiques and rich carpets adorn the salons, and the bar is lined with black-and-white photos of the skiers of yore. Chat with friends over drinks, or perhaps tickle the ivories on one of the two pianos. The guests rooms may not have TVs, but nearly all have a balcony for savoring the jaw-dropping views. Dinner is a four- to five-course set menu. In the winter, you can just about ski out the door to a nearby lift.

At this genteel Victorian hotel with its plush and handsome lobby, most large guest rooms have French doors leading to private balconies with geraniums in summer. The hotel's popular restaurant, Chez Meyer's, is adorned with vintage family photos and serves a creative seasonal menu. Paintings and rustic antiques (such as a huge wooden sled) are scattered throughout the hotel. Besides Chez Meyer's, guests can dine in the conservatory-like Jack's Brasserie, which serves an eclectic menu including "sushi" made with local ingredients. You can visit the small spa area, which includes a sauna and steam room, daily by reservation. 

This comfortable inn, dating back to 1845, combines down-home knotty-pine decor with soigné style. In the heart of Gstaad's pedestrian zone, it provides its young and chic guests with peace and tranquility. The popular café draws crowds, and the owners are enthusiastic skiers and can offer many tips on local adventures. The restaurant, full of linens and candlelight, serves good Swiss fare at reasonable prices.