My family of 4 (13 & 9 y/o boys) have 3 nights to spend in Switzerland toward the end of October. I'd love suggestions for where to stay, including towns and hotels/apartments. The first half of our trip will be spent in France and the second half in Italy. We are hoping to throw in a little of the Switzerland experience. We will have a car, but don't mind parking it somewhere if it's a no-car area like Murren. Trying to pick a location is a little overwhelming since everywhere in Switzerland looks picturesque. We'd like to be close enough to visit Luzern one day and maybe take a boat trip, but we also plan to do a little easy hiking and enjoy the scenery.
Thank you!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8332 posts
We stayed at Hotel Jungfrau in Murren and had an excellent experience. I would go for up in the mountains vs. down in the valley (Lauterbrunnen).
Posted by
Everett, WA
1287 posts
In 2008, we stayed in an apartment here for 3 nights. The apartment you want is Apartment east. (Look for the little English flag to have the page translated) It would be perfect for a family of four because it is one room with twin beds and one room with one large bed for two. It was located right in the heart of Lauterbrunnen and included a parking space. It is about 123 Swiss francs in October. (It shows a 103 SF but there is a 20% surcharge for less than 5 nights) There is also a tourist tax per person. Overall, pretty reasonable for a family of 4. We shared it with another couple. We found it to be about the same price as one hotel room, but we were able to split the cost which made it a screaming deal for us since we would have needed 2 hotel rooms. The calendar shows iti s available the end of October. It looks just like the pictures and is very spacious for 4 people. (compared to a hotel room). We stopped in Interlakken and picked up groceries. We made our own breakfast and ate dinner out. There were a few rules you would not have at a hotel. We had to carry out our own trash, we could not wear shoes in the apartment, and there was a limit on how much hot water we could use in a day. We were 4 people who were hiking and showering every day, and we never ran out of hot water. However, we were careful with how long of a shower we took. I would not hesitate to stay here again. PM me if you have any questions.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1287 posts
I originally found it on this web site:
http://mylauterbrunnen.com/en/Holidays/ACCOMMODATION/Holiday_Apartments
I was having trouble getting apartments to come up on it, but I hit "search by chalet name" , then without adding anything (and with show all in the classification box) apartments came up.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2425 posts
The Hotel Silberhorn in Lauterbrunnen gets my vote. It's a very short walk from the train. We had dinner there during our visit and it was wonderful.
Posted by
Ohio
2120 posts
Hi kim, another recommendation for the Hotel Jungfrau. The location was perfect (ask for a room with a balcony in the front), helpful staff, nice restaurant and bar. Loved Murren!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32683 posts
I agree with up the hill, and then up - Mürren is my fav.
From Lauterbrunnen you are only 20 minutes or so back down the hill to Interlaken and the boats on Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) and one further station (Interlaken West) if you want the boats on Lake Thun (Thunersee).
From Interlaken Ost it is around 90 minutes straight into (with an end for end change where you stay on at Meiringen, or go and climb the waterfall where Sherlock Holmes had so much trouble - Reichenbach Falls) Luzern where the lake boats are just across the street.
But if you are up in Mürren you may well love it so much you don't want to go down the hill to the boats.
With 2 boys have you considered Denise's apartment attached to the Chalet Fontana? Denise - a former mountain long distance race winner - knows pretty much every inch of the area, and her living room is full of books, brochures, and maps of the area.
Posted by
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
171 posts
Three in our group which included a 6 year old. We just stayed at Chalet Fontana! Denise has 2 apartments available. We stayed in a private apartment separate from the Chalet. Had a large living room with 2 large beds, a stocked kitchen (we cooked meals) a nice en suite bathroom. Windows opened to a mountain view. We also had a free pass to the Athletic Center (wonderful pool) Denise is a delightful person! Take a funicular up to a children's playground above Murren. Trails available there, nice restaurant and beautiful views! Gimmelwald is just a hike or ride down the mountain. We followed Rick Steves suggestion for the village walk, bought cheese from a local lady at her house, walked among the cows!
Don't stay in the valley, You won't be disappointed staying in Murren!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Nothing can top the experience of the Chalet Fontana with Denise. We've rented the attached 2 bedrooms apartment several times, and it's always perfect.
Posted by
OP
Dallas, TX
6 posts
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I appreciate your help!
Posted by
Eagan, MN, USA
14 posts
We stayed at the Chalet Fontana this summer and had a wonderful experience. Denise is as helpful and friendly as can be. We had a room in the chalet and our son and family of 5 had an apartment in the same building. The breakfast was great, she has a kitchen in the chalet with teas and coffees to make any time you like. It is centrally located on the main street close to a grocery store and restaurants. We loved it. Highly recommend this B and B. You can park your car for a nominal fee in the Lauterbraten valley below and take the cable car up. Beautiful Murren! And do take the little walk down to Gimmelwald while there as well. Lovely views. Enjoy!