16 Best Hotels in Berner Oberland, Switzerland

On the hill above Wengen (a bit of a hike from the town center, but that may be a virtue), this friendly family-run lodging offers the kind of views that made Wengen world-famous—a vista of mountain majesty with the nearby buildings nearly hidden by trees. Happily, the southern-exposure guest rooms come with balconies to take in the beauty. Pampering is close at hand: sink into a couch in the lounge, relax with a massage or visit to the sauna area, or enjoy a dip in the indoor pool or the bio-pond (complete with fish and lily pads). The highly rated restaurant lets in lots of light through its wide windows, and the bar is very cozy. Rooms are spacious and mostly modern—some have elegant brass beds and more traditional, rustic style.

Overlooking the famed Giessbach Falls, this 19th-century belle époque showplace trimmed with fancy woodwork and topped with turrets offers lovely scenic views from almost any vantage point. The lobby has high, chandeliered ceilings and period furnishings in golds, yellows, and soft pinks. Stucco angels, full-length oil portraits of Swiss beauties, and other Proustian touches will have you feeling like an off-duty aristocrat in no time. Guest rooms are comfortable and spacious, and the communal maxibar offers free beverages and fruit around the clock. Les Cascades restaurant has a glorious orangery overlooking the falls, and Le Tapis Rouge is a serious gourmand affair.

One of Wengen's first lodgings, this welcoming inn—downhill and away from the center—has been run by the same family for more than a century. Adorable Alpine-style guest rooms with south-facing balconies are well worth the slight additional cost, as the sweeping views of the valley are sublime. The decor is homey, with a cozy mountain chalet look and comfy chairs and sofas for lounging throughout the hotel's large public spaces. While some of the guest rooms are on the small side, their Alpine ambiance, highlighting light woods and tartan details, is absolutely charming. The bar-salon is spacious and inviting, with an open fireplace and overhead beams, and there's a large outdoor area in front of the hotel with wonderful vistas. There's an emphasis on good half-board meals, with a four-course spread served each evening with a vegetarian option available.

A vastly improved version of the standard chalet-style lodging, the Gletschergarten has been in the same family for four generations, and the interior radiates welcome, from heirloom furniture to original paintings by the owner's grandfather to tea roses cut from the garden. There's heraldry in the leaded-glass windows, a ceramic stove with a built-in seat warmer, and a wood-paneled lounge taken from an old Grindelwald farmhouse. All rooms have balconies, some with glacier views, others overlooking the emerald-green hills. Ask for a corner room, as the angles are especially pleasing. Don't miss the pleasant spa with a sauna, a steam bath, and a relaxation area.

The oldest hotel in town, the Hotel Interlaken has been hosting overnight guests since 1323, but now it's thoroughly up-to-date, with comfortable guest rooms filled with sleek and eye-catching Alpine-chic furnishings and a highly regarded restaurant. For the budget-minded who want to enjoy the same location and breakfast, there are rooms of a simpler nature on the fifth floor. The hotel first began as a hospital, then as a cloister, and by the early 15th century as a tavern. Today, the in-house Restaurant Taverne highlights Swiss cuisine with a modern twist along with a well-chosen selection of Swiss wines. It's a short walk to the Interlaken Ost train station, making excursions a snap. 

Across from the Staubbach Falls, this excellent lodging with astounding views opens directly onto Lauterbrunnen's main street, which is handily lined with shops and cafés. The friendly owners have turned this local landmark into a characterful hotel, with charming guest rooms that shimmer with teak and pine. To maximize their view of the falls, most people ask for a south-facing room. The fact that this side also faces the main road (which has its share of roaring buses) means you should also consider the three other directions of the compass.

To extend your stay at Thun Castle (literally), opt for a hotel room in the castle’s former prison wing, where guest rooms—most with views of the lake and the mountains beyond—are surprisingly modern, except for the lovely Tower Room that features frescoes from 1567. Comfortable, bright rooms have wood floors, desks, and minibars; large bathrooms all include showers, while the Panorama Room also has a freestanding soaking tub off of the bedroom. The spa, which must be booked in advance, includes a sauna, steam bath, and whirlpool. The highly rated restaurant serves up Alpine cuisine paired with regional wines, or try a coffee and cake or aperitif in the charming castle courtyard.

Amid beautiful lawns and gardens, this graceful old mansion has its own lido directly on the lake for secluded swimming along with contemporary guest rooms that feature oak floors, elegant textiles, and limestone bathrooms. Corner and lakeside rooms are definitely worth the higher price. The restaurant's gourmet menu changes regularly, but its lake vista is always in season. The wine cellar has the finest selection of wines in the region (you can also buy a bottle to take home). The hotel has an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor whirlpool, a nice choice of saunas, and a well-equipped gym.

Housed in a 350-year-old chalet, this bed-and-breakfast is charming yet modern, and boasts both an extremely helpful host and a delicious breakfast. Its guest rooms are outfitted with pale-wood furniture and discreet carpeting. The quads featuring double beds and a set of bunk beds are especially suitable for families. Some bathrooms have tubs as well as showers. Its cozy lounge, complete with big sofas and a fireplace, is ideal for rehashing the events of the day. In addition to breakfast, evening meals are served.

Clad in time-burnished pine, fitted with gables, and sporting some great gingerbread trim, the Alpenruh is as picturesque a hotel as you can get in Mürren, with a spectacular perch—nearly cantilevered over the vast valley and with reach-out-and-touch vistas of the great Jungfrau and Eiger—plus no place in Mürren has such a fetching and gorgeous dining terrace. The prices here are on the gentle side, but the guest rooms verge on plain. The owners also run the Mürren cable car up to the Schilthorn, so you can substitute breakfast at Piz Gloria for no extra charge. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves local meat and cheese platters, Rösti and fondue, and a selection of meat and veggie dishes. During especially popular weeks, room rates are upped to include board. 

This cheerful bed-and-breakfast sits on a quiet side street between Interlaken West and the Heimwehfluh; the breakfast room is bright and airy, making it the perfect place to relax with a morning newspaper. The hotel's bright and tidy rooms, which come in single, double, and triple configurations, are done up in shades of blue and white. There's free parking on-site.

Brimming with personal warmth, this family-run hotel has become a favorite among those who value tranquility and convenience. The chatty Bohren family has been running the place since 1977 and makes everyone feel like an old friend. Rooms in this chalet are not huge or lavish, but they have comfortable furnishings, fir paneling, and original artwork. All come with balconies or terraces that overlook some of Grindelwald's less developed countryside toward the mighty Eiger. A sauna helps soothe ski pains, and a fitness center with games and table tennis (as well as free access to Grindelwald's nearby sport center) gives the kids something to do on inclement days. Standard Swiss-style breakfasts include Birchermüesli, meats, and soft-boiled eggs.

A 15-minute walk from the center of Gstaad, the hilltop Le Grand Chalet commands a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and village below. The spacious, comfortable rooms feature tawny wood furnishings and rustic curtains throughout. An open central fireplace separates the cozy lounge from the popular La Bagatelle, a restaurant favored for its nouvelle Swiss and French cuisine and extensive wine list. You can relax in the sauna or steam bath, or, in summer, enjoy a swim in the heated outdoor pool. Walking trails depart from the hotel's doorstep, and the hotel shuttles guests to ski lifts and to the train station.

Across from the train station and next to the cable car to Mürren, this wonderful family-owned hotel with a lovely garden is a surprisingly quiet option. Knotty Arvenholz (pine) panels accent the spick-and-span guest rooms. On clear days you may want to chill out in one of the wicker chairs on the sunny porch. The dependable restaurant offers satisfying meals of Rösti and meat fondues in a swanky wood-lined salon. The more casual Gaststube overlooks a truly elegant fireplace room with cathedral ceiling, exposed timbers, and lots of happy guests. You can also get wood-fired pizzas every evening.

Overlooking the magnificent ice-blue glacier—as well as a sprawling parking lot—this pretty and wood-trimmed (though quite simple) inn offers generous lunches on the terrace and good regional dining inside the comfortable restaurant. The adjoining Gletscherstübe attracts locals as well as the hordes of hikers who come to marvel at its namesake. The bright rooms, all with mountain views, feature lots of pine as well as colorful modern bathrooms.

This modern apartment-hotel, ideally situated at the foot of the Oltschibachfall waterfall, only 500 meters (1640 feet) from the Hasliberg ski resort and a short walk to the train station, offers cozy apartments with large balconies in a contemporary Alpine style. The resort comprises six buildings with apartments ranging from two to four rooms, which sleep from four to eight people. All apartments include kitchens with ovens, stoves, and sinks; some also have dishwashers. If you'd rather not cook, the Bistro, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, specializes in burgers (meat and veggie) and fondue. You’ll find a small onsite sauna, too, though you’ll need to reserve a spot in advance. The hotel also caters to children with an inviting playroom and games room inside, and a playground outside. There's often a minimum stay required, from three to seven nights, depending on the season.